Shedding Light on Induction Lighting: Demonstrations at the Northland Arboretum

The light bulb is considered one of the greatest inventions of all time. It extended our day, made streets brighter and safer, and allowed more time for leisurely activities.

Induction lamps are fluorescent light bulbs without the metal contacts used to conduct electricity from the fixture to the light-emitting gas inside of the bulb. What makes an induction lamp better than a regular incandescent bulb? In incandescent bulbs, 90% of the electricity used by the bulb generates heat, and the rest goes to emitting light.

The induction process transmits energy via an electro-magnetic field, energizing a light emitting gas, which is activated through a passing alternating current through a coil or conductor. The induction bulb surpasses its forerunner by using approximately 50% less energy and lasting 100,000 hours; it is 100-times longer than the traditional bulb, while emitting the same amount of light. For this reason, The Northland Arboretum, located in the Brainerd/Baxter area in Central Minnesota, decided to switch to induction lighting for their outdoor lighting.

The Northland Arboretum is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting intelligent conservation and high standards of ecology. They offer a year-round display of the region’s flora and fauna, workshops and seminars, and outdoor recreation to foster appreciation and respect for natural plants and wildlife.

The Arboretum is utilized almost daily for outdoor recreation (hiking, biking, Nordic skiing, etc.), community education on sustainability, and as a meeting or gathering place for local community and government meetings. As the “central park” of the Brainerd/Baxter area, the Northland Arboretum is an ideal place to demonstrate clean energy.

In the fall of 2009, the Arboretum applied for and received a $4,500 grant from the Central CERT to change their outdoor lighting, then seven 250W metal halide lights, to induction lighting. In addition to this, the Arboretum applied for and received funding to install an indoor display that keeps a running total of the energy savings from all of its lighting and efficiency projects, as well as information about the arboretum and it’s commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Before the lighting change, the Arboretum was spending approximately $600 per month on their electric bill, a significant portion of which was related to lighting. By installing seven 160 W induction lights, the Arboretum will cut their lighting by 36%. In addition to the installing induction bulbs to the outdoor fixtures, the Arboretum converted 267 indoor fluorescent bulbs to T8 models saving over 25% in energy use, while getting a whiter and brighter light.

On May 26th, 2010, the Arboretum held a workshop about energy efficiency. Among the 15 people in attendance, there were three area energy provider representatives. The Northland Arboretum partnered with Central CERTs Coordinator, Angela Headlee, to talk about ways to save and reduce energy consumption, contact information for an energy audit through their energy provider, and the participants received three energy saving devices (compact fluorescent bulb, timer, and caulk). The workshop was so successful and well-received that a second workshop is being arranged with Lutheran Social Service and the local Community Action Partnership (CAP) agency to make sure that their low-income clients would be able to attend.

The Northland Arboretum is working with Brainer Public Utilities to help track their actual savings over the next year from the induction lighting and Visitor Center upgrades, and they are applying for grants to build a computerized solar-powered display panel showing real-time energy savings from their project. With a solar electric system also in the works, the Northland Arboretum is steadily working towards becoming a major demonstration site for energy conservation in central Minnesota.

The Northland Arboretum’s foray into induction lighting for a large, community space was successful—as was educating the community at large about the project and efficient lighting. Dale Braddy said, “CERTs helped us begin the initial phase of this project, and to leverage other grants.” With education and demonstration on the ground, the Northland Arboretum is creating a space for learning and inspiration for clean energy in Central Minnesota.

Project Snapshot:

• Project Type: Efficient lighting upgrades
• Technology: Outdoor induction lamps and T8 fluorescent upgrades
• Benefits: Local demonstration of efficient lighting, energy savings for a local non-profit
• Grant: $4,500 from Central CERT
• Total Cost: $70,000

For more information, email Dale Braddy at dbraddy@brainerd.net or call at 218-829-8770.