Kingston Train Station Energy Profile

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) has been working with the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to upgrade statewide facilities with more efficient energy systems. As part of this endeavor, the Lead by Example team has worked tirelessly with RIDOT to convert their passenger rail stations, co-owned with Amtrak, to 100% LED. The historic Kingston Train Station, located in South Kingstown, is the latest to receive these upgrades. Previously completed facilities include the Wickford Junction, East Providence, and Woonsocket stations. 

Opened in 1875, Kingston Station is the oldest, continuously operated wooden passenger rail station in the entire United States! The building bears an almost perfect resemblance to its original look, offering a quaint Victorian architectural style. 

However, with historic style comes outdated, less efficient infrastructure. Thankfully, OER and RIDOT’s efforts are improving upon these limitations, while preserving the aesthetic charm of Kingston Station. Fulcrum Energy was contracted to complete the project and accomplish the joint goal of upgrading while preserving. Jake Holmes, lead project manager at Fulcrum, noted that his team strives to “maintain the overall character of a building and be as non-invasive as possible—to not disrupt any day-to-day operations.” He sees Kingston Station as a great example of a triple-win: providing more light while decreasing costs and reducing energy consumption.

It’s true that LED lights provide the same brightness as, if not more than, traditional bulbs, while consuming 90% less energy. They also last 15 times longer than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and produce considerably less heat. What’s more, LEDs aren’t just a feat of sustainability, they’re fun too! The LED analog to traditional high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps is called a “corn cob light,” as its bulb of diodes in alternating rows resembles a corn on the cob. These bulbs send light in all directions while eliminating the hot piece of metal that HIDs have.

For all these reasons, converting lights to LEDs is an obvious critical step towards accomplishing Rhode Island’s Act on Climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The Kington Train Station project is a shining example of this, and of how the clean energy transition does not have to compromise history or charm. 

The project is funded by OER using proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and energy efficiency rebates administered by Rhode Island Energy. To learn more about this and other Lead by Example efforts, please visit https://energy.ri.gov/leadbyexample.