Naval Bases’ LED Lighting Retrofit to Save 60% in Energy

The Navy is retrofitting the lighting at two bases in California, in what is being called possibly the largest lighting retrofit in Naval history.

Naval facilities at Port Hueneme and Point Mogu will replace old equipment at more than 1,000 street lights, area lights and parking lot lights.

High efficiency LED lights being installed should reduce exterior lighting costs 60 percent, according to a press release.

The lights, which should have a lifespan three times longer than the ones they’re replacing, should result in reduced maintenance costs.

Lighting Science Group is handling the retrofit.

Tom Santoianni, Energy Manager of the bases, said that the project will reduce energy consumption 317,445 kilowatt hours, which translates into a reduction of 228 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

The effort should trim the base’s annual utility bill by $45,500, based on the average Ventura County, Calif., utility rate of $0.14 per kWh.

In the project, the bases are replacing 430 high pressure sodium streetlights, 549 fixtures in residence quarters and 105 fixtures in parking and general areas.

A 2009 study showed that the Navy could save 87 percent of the electricity used on existing shipboard lighting systems by converting to LED and HID lighting systems.

Also last year, the Navy agreed to a $100 million contract to install solar energy systems at its shore facilities in the United States.