Rhode Island College Completes Campus-Wide LED Lighting System Installation

Published on Thursday, August 22, 2024

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island College with the assistance of the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and Rhode Island Energy has completed a campus-wide installation of LED lighting systems with controls. The project, funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the state’s energy efficiency programs, upgraded lighting in the John E. Fogarty Life Sciences Building, the Murray Center, Gary M. Penfield Residence Hall, Forman Center, and Building 1, with their completion making RIC’s campus 100 percent LED lighting.

“Rhode Island College’s dedication to improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions sets a powerful example for our state,” said Governor McKee. “This project is a significant step forward in our commitment to the Act on Climate, demonstrating that with collaboration and innovation, we can achieve a sustainable future for Rhode Island.”

“The Lead by Example program is continuing to make great strides in supporting the public sector in improving energy efficiency and reducing long-term energy usage,” said Acting State Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns. “Rhode Island College’s energy efficiency efforts provide an excellent example for other state, public school and municipal entities to follow in decarbonizing buildings and meeting our Act on Climate obligations.”

“This project puts Rhode Island College in the twenty first century when it comes to the latest lighting technology,” said Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations James Murphy. “It has been a pleasure to work with OER and Rhode Island Energy on this project.”

This lighting upgrade represents the final phase of a multi-year initiative to replace outdated fluorescent fixtures with energy-efficient LED technology across campus. The project replaced 593 fluorescent lights with state-of-the-art LED lighting featuring integrated controls. Over the course of their lifecycle, these upgrades will save approximately $468,300 while simultaneously reducing the College’s carbon footprint.

One of the most extensive undertakings of this project took place in the Murray Center. By replacing the lighting fixtures with LEDs in the gymnasium, this upgrade improves the experiences of both players and spectators while saving RIC money. To further enhance the experience at the Murray Center, the LEDs are directed upward toward the ceiling, which reflects light off the ceiling’s white paint and back down to the court. This provides indirect lighting that is gentler on the eyes of both players and spectators.

The Lead by Example program aims to serve as a catalyst for the clean energy transition by supporting state, municipal and school sectors in decarbonizing buildings and properties through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing long-term energy costs across Rhode Island’s public sector projects, such as this, are important in the state’s effort to meeting our objectives with Act on Climate.

To learn more about OER Lead by Example program efforts please visit https://energy.ri.gov/lead-example.