Pune's NDA opts for LED lamps

The National Defence Academy (NDA) has planned to replace about one lakh lights in key establishments of the academy, spread over 8,000 acres, by light-emitting diode (LED) lamps in a bid to conserve energy. An LED lamp (LED light bulb) is a solid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light. “The aim is to reduce consumption of power and promote environment-friendly attitude among young cadets,” said Flight Lieutenant Sreeprakash, public relations officer. “A pilot project is already in progress, where lamps in some of the establishments have been replaced by LED lights,” he said. The NDA has nearly 3,100 street lamps, mostly sodium or mercury vapour lights ranging from 75 watts to 250 watts. Of these, 30 street lights have been replaced by 28-watt LED lamps on an experimental basis. While earlier the 30 lights used to consume 7,500 watts (30X 250W = 7,500 watts), then new lights will consume only 840 watts (30 X 28W= 840 watts), thereby saving nearly 5kWh of power or 55 units a day. The institute plans to replace all the street lights with LED lamps, which will reduce power consumption by 5,500 units per day. “LED light offers up to eight times more brightness than incandescent lamps, without emissions that are harmful to the environment. High power LED lamps are extremely efficient, returning a 50 to 80 per cent saving over conventional sodium or mercury lamps,” Air Vice Marshal A S Bhonsle, deputy commandant of NDA said. According to the NDA officials, operating for an average of 10 hours per day, LED lights have a lifespan of up to 13 years or 50,000 hours. Unlike traditional light bulbs, LED lights are not fragile. Other benefits include a unique colour index, which provides bright colours in the dark. These light sources do not produce a glare common to conventional street lighting, thereby reducing visual fatigue for drivers and pedestrians. As LED lights operate at a low voltage and low temperature, there is no reduction in brightness or yellowing associated with traditional street lighting. Unlike sodium lights, these lights do not require time to reach optimum brightness levels.