LightSavers-Feasibility Study for Implementation of Advanced Lighting Technology

The City of Toronto will study the feasibility of retrofitting municipal parking garages with energy-saving lighting technologies. The study will identify the municipal facilities best suited to advanced lighting retrofits and determine the most appropriate technology for each facility. The researchers will develop evaluation criteria to identify the facilities best-suited to retrofits and create a shortlist of at least 30 garage facilities. The team will identify performance measures to compare lighting technology options. Performance measures will include return on investment, energy-use reduction, greenhouse gas reduction, life-cycle impacts, user preferences, aesthetic considerations and regulatory requirements. A number of advanced lighting technology options will be considered, including light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures, adaptive lighting systems (such as occupancy sensors), LED fixtures combined with adaptive systems, and high-efficiency fluorescent lighting combined with adaptive systems. The team will examine the 30 facilities and lighting technology options in more detail, giving consideration to the potential benefits of using the same technologies and products in multiple facilities. The project team will recommend at least 20 garage facilities for retrofitting and identify preferred technologies for each site. They will also assess financing options and develop an implementation plan and a public communications strategy. This study will lead the way toward a lighting retrofit program for municipally owned parking garages in Toronto. The city expects to retrofit at least 20 municipally owned garages with advanced, energy-efficient lighting technologies over a two-year period. This will reduce electricity use, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions, by an estimated 50–80 per cent. The energy savings alone should reduce annual operating costs by over $150,000. Depending on the technologies chosen, maintenance costs may also be reduced.

(Project description from original funding application)