NWF Group plc

“The lighting replacement has been a great success on many levels. The staff are benefitting from a much improved work environment, with bright white lights replacing a sodium orange glow. We are also enjoying far more light at a much lower cost, thanks to the innovative control system.  We are delighted with the results, TGE Group did a cracking job.”
Ian Carr, Business Improvement Manager, NWF Agriculture Ltd

The Project

NWF Agriculture is a leading supplier of farm animal feeds in the UK.  As part of a programme of energy efficiency improvements, this successful feed division of the NWF Group were keen to modernise the lighting in their blend sheds. As well as saving electricity and reducing carbon emissions, NWF management wanted to improve the visual environment, to enable staff to complete tasks more easily and safely.

The Solution

Following a tendering process, TGE Group was selected to replace aged high pressure sodium and metal halide low bay lighting in the feed blend sheds, at NWF Group’s Cheshire headquarters. Due to the product being animal feed, a strict no-glass policy is in force. The product blending process also creates a lot of atmospheric dust.

With this in mind, TGE Group specified IP rated Tamlite Hilux luminaires with Perspex dust covers, in order to prevent both dust ingress and also contamination of feedstuffs, in the event of a broken lamp.

To maximise energy savings the luminaires were also equipped with dimmable ECG ballasts and individual Ex-Or sensors. Using remote handset programmers the lights are set to maintain a minimum Lux level at the floor, automatically dimming based on either available natural light and/or occupancy.

Maintenance

The Hilux fittings each have four 54Watt T5 HO lamps. These are more reliable and longer lasting than the sodium lamps. Also if one T5 lamp should fail, the sensors will compensate by brightening the others. If an area is vacant for a set period, the lights then switch off. All settings can be adjusted easily, from the ground, should site requirements ever change.

Energy Saving

In order to verify actual energy saved, TGE Group engineers installed a temporary energy monitoring system in the sheds before the work commenced. The real time data accumulated showed that the system is saving 71% electricity in Shed 7 (with daylight contributing) and 61% electricity in Shed 8 (no daylight), which is in line with predictions.  The expected payback is 34 months.