Pictured above: (l-r): Alex Clarke, Project manager and Gareth John, Optical Engineering Technician, in the OPC

One of the most unique optical laboratories in the UK has successfully trialled a new energy-efficient lighting system, which resulted in an 82 per cent reduction in energy consumption per year for a Birmingham business.

The Optical Performance Centre (OPC) at Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) specialises in measuring the efficiency of light-emitting products and processes by conducting tests to ensure that they meet industry standards and customer requirements.  This specialist laboratory facility houses tailor-made equipment built by the lab's own team, utilising the latest commercial technologies. The OPC can both validate the efficiency of existing products and help to improve or create more cost and energy efficient alternatives.

The newly-developed lighting system, which has been created in collaboration with a local Birmingham lighting manufacturer - saw a number of traditional lights in Hallmark Jewellery, a retailer in the city's Jewellery Quarter, replaced with an energy-efficient alternative system.

By using the new lighting system, the company saw an 82 per cent reduction in wasted energy and a 12 per cent increase in the amount of colour-corrected light produced. The system also produced huge savings, as the system operates at only one third of its original energy cost. The jewellers were also delighted with the way in which the new quality of light enhanced the presentation of their products.

Alex Clarke, head of the OPC, said: "Jewellers' premises tend to use lights that have a far higher density than other types of retailers, predominantly because of the effect that it has in presenting the items they have for sale. These lights are hugely inefficient, and waste a great deal of energy.

"By replacing these standard lights with our specialist variants and monitoring them for two weeks we were able to record some truly fascinating results and I hope that based on this success we will be able to roll-out the project to other businesses in Birmingham in the future."

BSPA has, alongside its existing stock of bespoke photonics equipment, recently invested in a further £100,000 of new specialist test and measurement apparatus. The acquisition of this new equipment will enable the lab to perform more precise measurements and more accurately validate energy efficiency in products being tested. It is very concerning just many, much vaunted products and processes, fail this validation test.

Dr David Hardman, chief executive officer, Birmingham Science Park Aston, said: "The funding we have received from Birmingham City Council has been absolutely crucial in the development of this new lab facility and key to increasing and broadening access for local companies. The benefits of the work being undertaken here is clear from the evidence of the case studies and from feed -back from SMEs. I would hope that we could see the benefits of this facility made available to other companies and public sector organisations in the future.

"This case study shows how a facility like the OPC can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions whilst actually improving lighting solutions. By working with Birmingham's SMEs we can make a significant contribution to the city's carbon-emission reduction targets.

"Because of the unique facility, the team at the OPC are able to perform product validation tests that aren't widely available in the UK. What really sets the lab apart though is that while some institutions may have similar arrangements, they are not usually available to small businesses, unlike the facilities at the OPC. This kind of support can provide a real boost to businesses performance."

Already working across a broad range of industries including energy, communications, food & drink and lighting, the OPC team are now waiting on confirmation of its UKAS accreditation status, which will allow them to perform conformity classification testing for the lighting, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and sectors.

The OPC team also provides training and mentoring in the use of this equipment and advice on testing product performance standards. This invaluable training is available to university and college students, SMEs, and entrepreneurs wishing to bring new products to market across a range of sectors.