Vital

A ground-breaking contract which may lead to significant energy savings across the London Underground network has been completed at Sloane Square station.

The three month-contract to design and install a new carbon-friendly lighting system at the station was completed on time and to budget by Vital Technology , part of the UK-wide Vital Services Group. The contract was awarded by London Underground APD (Asset Performance Directorate), which chose the central London District and Circle Line station as a test project for the new technology which could reduce local electricity usage by 50%.

For the first time at any London Underground station, passengers and staff at Sloane Square will be able to see real-time energy usage via a large monitor which has been installed by Vital technicians in the 144-year-old station’s ticket hall.

Arthur O’Donnell, Operations Manager for Vital Technology, said: “London Underground wanted to look at ways of improving energy efficiency, and Sloane Square was chosen as the station for this test project.

“Vital won the contract to design and install a new lighting system which was both energy efficient and economically viable. This was an opportunity to achieve both of those things as the station’s lighting also needed to be upgraded.”

A key element of Vital’s design specification was a PIR (Passive Infra Red) system which measures the amount of natural light coming into the station’s two sub-surface platforms.

That information is then used to control platform lighting in different zones, meaning both a brighter station and reduced energy bills. Staff can override the system through regular switching as required.

Arthur continued: “Because of the technology we’re using there’ll be much less draw on the system, so I’d expect energy savings of around 50% as well as reduced maintenance costs, although we won’t know the real picture for several months as the greatest savings are made during the summer when the station gets the most natural light.”

David Williamson, Electrical and Communications Systems Manager for London Underground APD, said:
“This is part of LU’s carbon-reduction initiative to lower energy use. We’ve never undertaken a project like this on any other station before.

“We hope that the success of this project can be replicated at other London Underground stations.

“Vital were chosen as the preferred contractor because of their unique approach and their enthusiasm for change. It was good to work with the Vital team, and they continue to have a strong track record with us.”

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