London City Airport has invested £10,000 in two new solar-powered runway guard lights.
The solar-powered lighting systems, commonly referred to as Wig-Wags, will serve as a continuous 24-hour LED warning system. The lights are capable of running for 120 days without re-charging and will significantly slash the airport’s electricity expenditure.
Earlier this year London City Airport became only the fourth UK airport to become Airport Carbon Accredited.The initiative will further enhance LCY’s green credentials, which received a boost earlier this year when the airport became Airport Carbon Accredited. At the moment, the airport produces around 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions mainly from gas and electricity. The solar lights will help reduce the airport’s emissions alongside a number of other initiatives including, low wattage equipment, automatic standby functions and motion sensor-controlled lighting. The airport is also investing in a new building management system, which will enable the airport to centrally-control temperature and lighting in all public areas.
Commenting on the new solar-powered lights, Kevin Wincell, airfield operations manager at London City Airport said: “The solar-powered systems will not only save energy and help reduce the airport’s carbon emissions, they will also represent a financial saving in the longer term. We are currently exploring other options in terms of installing LEDs for airfield lighting and will continue to look for ways in which we can improve energy and cost efficiency by advances in new technology.”