Keele University
Sustainable lighting solutions to enhance safety, reduce energy costs and preserve the dark skies
Keele University in Staffordshire is renowned for its research and its astronomical observatory, which has been a centre for stargazing and astronomical research since 1962. Protecting the observatory’s dark skies is vital to the success of its activities, which are open to students, researchers and the public.
In 2017, the Estates and Development Directorate decided to upgrade the lighting as part of a campus-wide initiative to reduce energy consumption. They also decided to install lighting on Woodmeadow Walk - a key route connecting the University’s main campus to the north which was unlit and posed a safety concern for students. It was essential that the lighting on this path did not create a sky glow that could interfere with astronomical observations.
Altitude Services, the University’s long-term partner, contacted us to propose energy-efficient lighting solutions for various sites on the campus.
A safe, well-lit path without sacrificing the night sky
To improve safety on Woodmeadow Walk, we proposed a low-level bollard lighting that would provide good visibility for students while minimising any potential light pollution.
The PHAROS, with its precise optics to direct the light to where it is needed on the ground, meant that the bollards could be installed every 10 metres, reducing the number of bollards required and lowering the initial investment and installation costs for the University. Its robust mechanical design will ensure a long service life on this campus, where vandalism and anti-social behaviour could be a potential problem. This highly efficient solution will also minimise energy and maintenance costs while preserving the observatory’s dark skies.
Adaptive lighting for the best stargazing experience
Although the bollards are quite low, Keele University’s astronomers expressed concerns about potential light pollution during stargazing sessions. To address this, all the bollards are connected to the Schréder EXEDRA smart lighting platform, giving the university full control.
With Schréder EXEDRA, the light output of the bollards can be dimmed to just 20% of the normal light level when the observatory is in use. The light level is simply adjusted by a switch inside the observatory, ensuring that the path remains lit for a safe passage, while preventing any sky glow during important observation periods. This control not only preserves the dark skies of the observatory, but also reduces energy consumption, further cutting costs.
A holistic lighting solution across the campus
The AMPERA, designed to minimise light pollution and a Dark-Sky approved lighting solution, was chosen to light the car parks and access roads to ensure excellent visibility and enhance safety.
The elegant PILZEO luminaire was installed to light the paths, providing a safe and comfortable passage for pedestrians.
These cost-effective LED lighting solutions not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus, but also significantly reduce energy consumption compared to the old lanterns with high-pressure sodium lamps, resulting in lower running costs. With a long service life, both the AMPERA and PILZEO luminaires require less maintenance interventions, maximising the university's return on investment.
Customer
Partner(s)
The lighting regeneration at Keele University enables the campus to have a modern lighting network capable of meeting its unique requirements and ensuring uniform coverage for the entire site. We were delighted to be chosen by Keele University to deliver this project from conception through to design, supply, and installation. The results have been superb.
A safer and more sustainable campus
By implementing these advanced lighting solutions, Keele University has demonstrated its commitment to providing a safe and sustainable campus. The new lighting has significantly enhanced safety for students and staff with a low environmental impact. The well-lit and environmentally conscious environment created by this project sets a new standard for institutions seeking to balance safety and sustainability.
A partner for tomorrow’s campus spaces
Committed to being a long-term partner for our customers, we are developing additional lighting schemes for other campus sites. These projects will incorporate architectural lighting solutions with dynamic control and colour-changing capabilities, not only improving the lighting but also enhancing the university landscape.
As Keele University continues to evolve, its commitment to energy efficiency and dark sky preservation will drive future lighting initiatives that meet the campus's changing needs while preserving the night sky for generations to come.
