GM Spring Hill Upgrades Lights With Light Corp, Saves $800,000 A Year

General Motors’ Spring Hill Complex expects to save over $800,000 a year on electricity at its general assembly and engine plants by upgrading to Light Corporation’s high-efficiency Semaphore fluorescent light fixtures controlled by Kanepi Innovations’ wireless lighting controls. The combined Spring Hill project presents an initial return on investment of just over 1-year, an investment expected to provide over $12 million in cost savings over a 15-year period.

The replacement of nearly 4,500 light fixtures and the implementation of wireless controls are projected to save General Motors over 8.5 million kilowatt hours (kWhr) of electricity per year – equivalent to removing the amount of carbon emissions from consuming 657,088 gallons of gas every year.

“Replacing older lighting technology is a cost-effective way for us to significantly conserve energy and save money as we transform our site into one of the world’s most innovative and flexible manufacturing facilities,” Ken Knight, GM Spring Hill Manufacturing complex manager said about the project.

GM through the use of Kanepi Innovations’ wireless lighting controls now has the ability to schedule, manage, and monitor the use of electrical devices within the facility to ensure electrical energy is only consumed when necessary. Spring Hill’s lighting is now optimized to specific tasks, areas, and schedules. The controls are estimated to save 50% more energy than the high-efficiency lighting retrofit alone.

General Motors’ practice of energy conservation is continuous. The extensive reduction in energy at the Spring Hill Complex, through Light Corporation fixtures and Kanepi wireless controls, has helped General Motors earn the energy star partner of the year Award by the US EPA. This recognition underscores GM’s role as a worldwide leader in environmental responsibility.

Light Corporation, a world class specialty lighting designer and manufacturer, is a progressive, customer-focused company providing cost-effective office and industrial lighting that improves productivity, health, and energy-efficiency. Based in Grand Haven, MI, Light Corp. products are manufactured in the United States.

Kanepi Innovations, advances the way large facilities reduce the consumption of energy. Based on the reliable Zigbee Standard, Kanepi is optimizing electrical energy use in more than 14 million square feet of space across North America.