New, high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades at The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center (GTCTC) allow staff to tailor lighting specifically for each event while reducing costs and electricity use.
The GTCTC’s new LED lighting provides a warmer and brighter ambiance for exhibition hall events, tradeshows and dinners. Doubling the number of zones used to operate the lights allows staff to better control and tailor lighting to each event. According to Tacoma Power’s estimates, the project will lower annual electricity costs by about $12,000, reduce maintenance costs by $5,500 and save about 164,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
“Making the switch to LED lighting has enhanced the venue’s meeting and event spaces, providing a better experience for guests, while also lowering costs,” stated the Director of Public Assembly Facilities, Kim Bedier. “TPU has been a great partner in helping select the appropriate lighting system and fixtures to best serve our clients and reduce energy use for the facility.”
The GTCTC will receive nearly $60,000 in rebates from the utility to apply toward the cost of improvements. The overall project will cost just under $105,000 after the utility’s rebates and has a payback period of little more than five years.
“Partnering on this project not only improves lighting, and reduces annual electricity and maintenance costs, the energy savings ultimately benefits the community,” said Tacoma Power’s Conservation Supervisor, Roger Peery. “Projects such as this help prevent the need for Tacoma Power to acquire costly new power resources.”
The new LED lighting system aligns with the GTCTC’s commitment to green initiatives while providing a more vibrant and consistent lighting system, and enhancing the overall guest and client experience.
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About Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power serves 172,000 customers in Tacoma, University Place, Fircrest and portions of Fife, Lakewood, Federal Way, Steilacoom, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and other portions of Pierce County. The utility includes seven divisions: Generation, Transmission and Distribution, Power Management, Click! Network, Utility Technology Services, Reliability & Compliance, and Rates, Planning & Analysis. www.tacomapower.com.
About The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center
The Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center (GTCTC) is located in the heart of revitalized, downtown Tacoma, Washington. Conveniently located 20 miles south of SeaTac International Airport, the facility offers an upscale, affordable and attractive space for events of all types from 10-4,000 attendees in an ideal Pacific Northwest setting.