The Leeds-based lighting design specialist has been chosen as the lighting industry's representative on a project to develop ecologically sound lighting practice across the UK construction sector.
High Technology Lighting chose Cougar Park - home of the Co-operative Championship 1 side - as one of ten high-profile sites across the country in which to install new LED lighting technology.
A total of 26 low-energy LED lights have been mounted in the club's Diamond Suite, lobby and stairwell of the main stand. Extensive end-user validation trials will now be conducted over an 18-month period.
The results will then be submitted to the School of the Built Environment at the University of Salford, with whom High Technology Lighting is working in partnership to develop prototype LED luminaries through the research project.
High Technology Lighting joint managing director Graham Kemp says, "The whole focus of this important initiative is on replacing low voltage halogen lighting, where energy usage is very high, with LED lighting products, which use much less energy and also have a far longer life.
"Cougar Park was identified as an ideal sports and social environment for the project. We will evaluate the performance and visual impact of the new installation, as well as the significant costs savings that will be achieved.
"Energy consumption will be cut dramatically, with anticipated savings of 55% on current lighting costs. In addition, LED lighting has 50,000hrs rated life, with all products carrying a five-year guarantee - far more than traditional lighting, so there are also major additional environmental benefits."
Other installation locations chosen by High Technology Lighting as part of the project are London's Blue Water Shopping Centre (24 LED lights in a new £1m WC block refurbishment), Nike store, Blue Water, Portavadie Marina on the west coast of Scotland (22 lights in the bar area and on external pontoon walkways), Guildford Health Centre (10 lights in internal common areas), Sunderland Museum (the first track-mounted solution), Manchester International Airport (13 lights in the Olympic House reception area), Nuneaton Hospital and South Ayrshire Council.
(Jim Evans)
