Ford Motors is installing LED lighting at its worldwide manufacturing facilities, investing around $25 million in total.
The 25,000 new LED fixtures will replace normal discharge and fluorescent lighting that will reduce 70 percent energy consumption, saving on total energy use by 56 million kilowatt-hours annually.
Approximately $7 million annual energy costs are expected to be reduced. These new lights will correspond to energy saving needed for more than 6,000 homes per year.
LED lighting has a 15-year life expectancy, with minimum maintenance demands. LED lights are comparatively safe as they eliminate hazardous materials in fixtures and lower fire risks.
The technology assures a brighter work area with uniformity and hi-definition color perception providing better light quality.
This is a long term investment in future that highlights the aggressive approach to lead in environmental improvements and achieve operating efficiencies, said, John Fleming, executive vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs.
In 2011, Ford introduced the program to lower its energy use by 25 percent per vehicle produced at its facilities by 2016. So far they have achieved a 20 percent energy efficiency. The switch to LED lighting helps to ensure Ford will meet its target.
Moving to LEDs ensure efficiency improvement. Ford has investigated the rapid development of LED lighting. Last year, Dialight was selected to develop light fixtures that meet Ford’s global needs, said Andraos.
From last month onwards, work has begun from, Dearborn Truck Plant to replace overhead lighting, which will continue through 2017 on other Ford manufacturing facilities including Louisville, Kentucky, Livonia Transmission Plant in Livonia, Michigan and many more.
Ford has a deep commitment to the environment. By creating outstanding products, investing in the facilities where employees work, and using such technology as LED lighting, it promotes a sustainable future, said, Donna Inch, chairman, CEO, Ford Land.
Recently, Ford also announced that it will work with DTE Energy to install Michigan’s largest solar carport at its Dearborn world headquarters. When completed in early 2015, the project is expected to generate 1.3 million kilowatt-hours annually.