The next phase of a 26-month, $25 million energy sustainability project began on June 3. Over the next five months, more than 2,200 lighting systems will be replaced across campus.
This overhaul of campus lighting involves replacing traditional switch-operated lights with new occupancy-sensing lighting control technology. Utilizing infrared sensors to detect body heat, and ultrasound sensors to detect movement, these new systems will ensure that only lights in occupied rooms will remain on for extended periods of time.
Though the project will carry a high initial cost, undergraduate sustainability intern Lindsey Millsaps said it would pay for itself.
"The new lights will greatly make up for [the cost] over time since they help save the university an abundance of money on its electric bill," Millsaps said. "With the new systems in place, WSU will not only help save money and energy, but they will eventually give back to the university as well.”
Many campus-goers are already familiar with this new technology. Some restrooms, computer labs and other WSU facilities have been equipped with occupancy sensors for some time. Student reactions to the automated lighting systems are mixed.
"I've only had positive experiences with similar automatic lighting systems both in my high school and in some of the rooms found here on campus" said Millsaps. "They seem to be very energy efficient and have always been really convenient.”
However, other students said they noted flaws in the setup.
"The sensors don't always detect occupants and should be made more accurate," said junior chemistry student Brent Plumb, who occasionally works in the dark out of frustration with the sensitive systems.
Undergraduate English student Amanda Carmichael expressed similar sentiments.
“In the past, the sensors did not pick up on my activity in the university's computer labs," Carmichael said. She suggested a warning beep that would give the person in the room time to trip the sensor as a potential solution.
According to the WSU website energy project announcement, the lighting circuits must be shut off as each system is updated. As a result, access to various rooms will be restricted over the coming months.
"To minimize disruption to the campus community, the plan will be to do all of this work on third shift," The announcement said. A tentative schedule for the project is available on that page.
