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Lighting Device Creates IBEW Jobs In Manufacturing, Installation April 19, 2002
The flip of a light switch is basic to our modern electricity dependent society. But one Illinois company has a product that allows commercial lighting to operate between "on" and "off," imperceptibly reducing the voltage according to ambient light and need for illumination. Called EnergySaver, it saves commercial facilities between 20 and 50 percent in lighting costs. IBEW members are on the forefront of the new technology, which is manufactured in Chicago and installed around the country. The switchgear device, which is the size of a large filing cabinet, is a voltage regulation system that is wired to a facilitys existing lighting panel. Local 134 members in Chicago manufacture the product at Electric City in Elk Grove Village and also install the units. "Its a win-win situation all the way around," said Local 134 Business Representative Tom Villanova. The system allows users to control and monitor lighting fixtures at the lower end of their designated voltage range. While significantly reducing energy consumption, EnergySaver also protects lamps from surges and spikes. The system works without any visible loss of lighting quality. "You can take it down volt by volt and you cant tell the difference," said Local 134 member Jim Stump, whose company, Diamac Electric installs the units in the Chicago area. The voltage regulation system provides an extra measure of control via a computer keypad that communicates with the EnergySaver unit, which is wired directly to the existing lighting panel. The keypad may be operated from a remote location with the help of a global commander, allowing one technician to control the flow of lighting to several buildings at once.
Villanova said electricians who have completed an IBEW construction apprenticeship need only minimal additional training to install the switchgear units. EnergySaver units have been installed from coast to coastfrom Cal State University in Los Angeles to the A&P grocery store chain on the across the East Coast. Westin Hotels in New York City installed EnergySavers in its two hotels and in Chicago, the city schools and the park district are phasing in even more units than it had before. "It puts our members to work all over the country," Villanova said. Energy companies are offering their customers incentives like rebates for electricity not used and some are even offering to pay for the cost of installation. The potential for lowering electricity costs via "load-shedding" devices like the EnergySaver, plus the reduced heat resulting from fewer lights means utilities and grid operators can distribute more electricity, particularly in times of high demand during the summer, said Denis Enberg, vice president for engineering of Electric City. "Youre not turning off any lights while decreasing light and heat load, decreasing pollution and putting money in the customers pocket," he said. "Everybody is gaining something." Enberg goes so far as to claim if EnergySaver units were widely available in California during the energy crisis, the whole rolling-blackout disaster could have been avoided. Duke Capital Partners principal Dean DAngelo said his firm, which is owned by Duke Energy, is among four companies to make a $16 million investment in Electric City. Local 11member Wesley Jones, an electrical contractor from the Los Angeles suburbs said interest in the units is picking up. "So far its been a onesy-twosey thing," said Jones, service manager Morrow Meadows Corp. "This stuff is really just starting to come around." Working with several locals in southern California including Local 477 in San Bernardino County, Local 441in Orange County, Local 440 in Riverside County, and Local 569 in San Diego County, Jones said the contractor has recently outfitted the chancellors office at Cal State Long Beach and buildings housing computer chip maker Intel in San Diego and Orange County. It takes one or two members a day or two to install the Energy Saver, Jones said.
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