Energy saving and environmental protection
>For the environment and insects: This gas station dims and controls its lighting. The LEO gas station in Mellendorf now regulates its lighting with the help of a lighting start-up. This saves energy and is also better for people and animals.
Mellendorf: “Our favorite customers are gas stations,” explains Johannes Mailänder as he walks across the grounds of the Leo gas station in Mellendorf, “The potential for energy savings is so great here.” Mailänder is co-founder of the start-up Lichtwart. The company sells modules for intelligent lighting control on outdoor buildings. Supermarkets, banks, and even gas stations are already using the Lichtwart system.
Remote-controlled lighting
This now includes the LEO gas station in Mellendorf, which opened in March. Leif Forke, the technician at the operating company, can now control the lighting at the gas station from anywhere using his cell phone or iPad. And that doesn't just mean on/off; each lamp can be controlled and dimmed individually. But will a dimmed gas station be just as popular?
In the evening with dimmed lighting
“Absolutely,” says Forke. The LEO gas station is open until 10 p.m. and is illuminated during opening hours when it is dark or cloudy. Forke would simply dim the lighting in the evening in particular. The light then shines at only 60 to 80 percent of its possible brightness, as Forke explains. This is completely sufficient to make drivers aware of the open gas station.
In addition, it would not be necessary to illuminate the entire gas station at night; the illuminated lion logo and the illuminated price display would suffice. This has also been well received by local residents, reports technician Forke, who can now simply dim the lights a little further on request.
Light pollution: a real problem
The lighting system also enables the operator to save energy, of course. But the lighting system also has advantages for humans and animals in general: the world is becoming brighter and brighter at night, and light pollution is becoming a real problem for humans and animals. It impairs the reproduction of insects and birds, disrupts plant growth, and can lead to insomnia in humans and animals. Being able to regulate and dim the light therefore makes perfect sense, says Mailänder.
Next-generation light controller
The two other LEO gas stations in the region—in Seelze and Hanover—are also set to be equipped with light controller modules soon. However, they will get the new light controller module. That's because the company doesn't want to stop at lighting. With the new module, gas stations and stores can also control their heating or air conditioning remotely, just like in a smart home. Or rather, a smart store.
