Evaluating LED Lighting Options for Duke Athletics

Abstract

Duke University is home to an array of venues that utilize High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps for lighting during intercollegiate play. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are emerging as a viable alternative to HID as they are able to offer much smaller wattage per unit, a wider variety of color temperature, and comparable illuminance. While sold at much higher prices than HID equivalents, LED solutions are able to compete financially as they can provide longer lamp life hours, increased reliability/durability, and reduced maintenance costs with fewer fixtures. After a successful pilot LED retrofit project at Williams Field, Duke Athletics became interested in identifying which venues represent the highest amount of savings associated with a retrofit. Working with Duke Facilities Management Department, I have developed a unique financial model to retrofit 20 specific facilities on campus across three different warranty periods accompanied with an abatement curve identifying the Net Present Value per kWh saved allowing Duke Athletics to make a financially optimal decision by prioritizing venues with the largest return and quickest payback per warranty selected.