Working together with BDP Lighting, Elcom and its sister brand Zumtobel, SAPCA member Thorn has provided a high-performance solution for Lee Valley VeloPark, delivering 50% energy reduction and cost savings.
The iconic building was initially designed by Hopkins Architects for the London 2012 Olympic Games and later repurposed as Lee Valley VeloPark. The venue’s previous metal-halide lighting system was outdated, so replacements were sought to improve system efficiency, reduce maintenance costs and allow better control options.
Lee Valley VeloPark is also used for exhibitions, conferences and private hire, adding in another requirement for the lighting. The Zumtobel Group’s sports lighting team held all the answers.
Luke Smith-Wightman, design consultant for BDP, said: “Among strong competition, the Zumtobel Group Lighting brands Thorn and Zumtobel’s solution stood out for its performance, technical design service and approach to client care. Hundreds of high-power sports projectors and downlights were delivered to a tight schedule, and the company ensured that technicians were available at short notice to oversee the critical adjustments needed to fine-tune the aiming of luminaires.”
Overcoming the challenges of specialist sports, Martin Lee, Key Account Manager at Zumtobel Group, comments: “The building wasdesigned with great aesthetics. However, they did not lend to best lighting practices.The lighting points were already predetermined, so we had to design our scheme to satisfy the brief from the client, BDP lighting, the Union Cycliste Internationale recommendations and guidance, and achieve the broadcast specification.”
The original scheme consisted of 371 metal halide luminaires with a total energy load of 368 kW. Switching light levels for specific competitions was complicated. With no dimming system in place, the venue could only switch off banks of projectors.The new scheme uses a mix of 276 of Thorn’s Altis and Zumtobel’s CRAFT IIPerformance luminaires, with an overall energy load of 185kW – 50% less than the original.
Furthermore, the floodlights use DMX and DALI control, meaning each luminaire canbe individually switched and dimmed. Meeting broadcasting standards, the new luminaires are also flicker-free. This achieves precise control of the light levels on the track, improving conditions for cyclists, spectators and TV cameras.What’s more, the DMX control gear in the Altis projectors also caters to event lighting requirements, creating atmosphere, drama and excitement.
As part of the project, down lights in the concourse area, bathrooms and stairways were also replaced. Thorn’s Cetus 3 down lights were installed on a 1-2-1 replacement, using the same ceiling cut-outs, avoiding the need for labour and time costs.
The downlight installation reduced the connected energy load by 50% from 20kW to10kW, improving the spectral quality of light, and eliminating the need for regular lamp changes (which was approx. 20 per month).Reportedly, cost savings from the project (including energy, replacement lamps, and lamp change labour) will amount to £100k after ten years.
Luke Smith-Wightman, concludes, “Compared to the previous system, the new scheme delivers a much-improved quality of light, less glare, DMX dimming, eliminates lamp changes and has reduced electrical load by 50%. Overall, it has been a successful upgrade, ensuring Lee Valley VeloPark remains a premier venue hosting cycling competitions at the highest level.”
