Total Light Fixtures Supplied:
110Total 5-Year Energy Savings:
$33K+The Backstory of Our Relationship with Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station is the Northwest’s only commercial boiling water reactor nuclear energy facility and the third-largest electricity generator in Washington state. The station’s System Engineer, Robert McQuoid, contacted LED Lighting Supply for guidance on a power plant LED lighting upgrade.
The facility’s turbine building houses 4 large steam turbines and a main generator that convert reactor steam into electricity. The 30 existing 1000-watt metal halide light fixtures above the equipment had reached the end of their operational lifespan.
Due to the high-temperature environment, heat degraded the light components more quickly than in a standard facility, leaving crews working on the floor with inadequate light levels.
The Challenge of Lighting a Hazardous Environment Nuclear Power Plant
The existing lights at the facility were mounted 60 feet high on the turbine building ceiling. Heat from the turbine equipment rises. The ambient temperature towards the ceiling reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). The new light fixtures needed to survive that environment without fail, but Robert had no practical way to verify the temperature margin from the ground.
Radiation levels above the turbines mean maintenance crews can only work at that elevation during a scheduled power outage. These restrictions meant the replacement lighting had to adhere to the current mounting height. Getting it right the first time prevented sending a crew back up for unscheduled maintenance.
Potential Risks of Outdated Lights for Turbine Crews
- Uneven light from above can create shadows behind and beneath equipment, where leaks, corrosion, and loose fittings are visible
- Sustained heat can degrade and corrode light fixture components at a faster rate. A bolt or screw that loosens at the ceiling can land on the turbines, generator, or crew members
- Metal halide lighting loses lumen output steadily and shifts color as it ages, meaning crews are inspecting and maintaining equipment under progressively worsened light
- Metal halide lighting needs a warm-up and restrike period. This can leave a work area dark for extended periods, decreasing overall productivity
- Walking through a brightly lit area into a dark one creates eye fatigue over a shift, slowing down reactions to possible hazards
Energy Northwest Columbia Station Google Maps Image | Turbine Building
The Strategy and Solution of Specialty Lights in a Hazardous Environment
Robert worked directly with LED Lighting Supply’s Product Specialist, Jeff Cesenaro, to map the project scope. Our team evaluated the existing layout, mounting height, and ambient temperature requirements.
We recommended high-temperature LED lights rated to 176°F. That threshold meets the plant's 150-degree ambient requirement with margin, keeping the light fixtures comfortably within the rating.
Based on our 15+ years of experience, we typically recommend 50 to 100 foot candles (fc) for turbine halls and generator rooms. This value depends on the size of the space and the type of precision work being performed.
Energy Northwest wanted to test the eye hook adapter against their existing ceiling hooks before committing to the light fixture type. LED Lighting Supply sent a full eye hook mounting documentation form. The engineer ordered the hooks separately and confirmed the fit on the ceiling infrastructure.
After the light fixture hooks were tested and confirmed, 10 high-temperature 300-watt lights were installed in the turbine building. The project also included a high-temperature 150-watt light as part of a hybrid configuration. Every light was rated to withstand up to 176°F.
Mounting Installation Note: Mounting hardware in a radiologically controlled or elevated area should be verified by qualified plant personnel and must comply with the facility's safety protocols. LED Lighting Supply's Product Specialists can help confirm light fixture and mounting compatibility before you order.
The Results of Our Custom Lighting Recommendation
The upgraded lighting system provides consistent light levels in the turbine area, improving worker safety and productivity. Energy Northwest will experience savings within one year of the turbine lighting project.
Immediate Advantages of Our Recommended Solution
- 30 low-output metal halide fixtures were consolidated into 11 higher-output LEDs, reducing energy usage by 70% per light fixture
- LEDs turn on instantly, mitigating power interruptions and dark restrike cycles from metal halides
- Output and color hold steady across the area with a longer lifespan than metal halide lights, maintaining consistency between outage windows
- The 176-degree rating gives 26 degrees of leeway over the stated ambient temperature threshold
- Maintenance and replacement work stays within scheduled outages
The upgraded turbine lighting delivers $6,343 in combined energy and maintenance savings after the first year.
| Savings | Within 1 Year | Within 5 Years |
| Total Energy Savings | $6,343 | $31,715 |
| Maintenance Savings | $450 | $2,250 |
| Total Savings (Energy + Maintenance) | $6,793 | $33,965 |
Savings and Payback Note: Estimates are based on the local utility rate of $0.0571 per kWh for industrial buildings in Richland, Washington, using our LED savings calculator.
This project reflects the kind of relationship LED Lighting Supply aims to build with every customer. After the turbine building installation, Energy Northwest placed several additional orders to upgrade other areas within the Columbia Station facility.
Each project was specified for different high-temperature or seismic-qualified areas. Our team determined the thermal and environmental requirements for each area individually, ensuring every light fixture is designed with structural integrity.
To date, Energy Northwest has installed 110 high-temperature LED lights across the 1,089-acre facility.
Notable Energy Northwest Columbia Station Lighting Projects
| Year | Light Fixture(s) / Accessories | Quantity | Project Notes |
| 2022 | MLLG-LED-HT80-150-50-110-HV (x1)
MLLG-LED-HT80-300-50-90-HV (x10) |
11 | Turbine Building ceiling with heavy industrial steel and concrete frame designed to hold massive power generation equipment |
| 2023 | MLLG-LED-HT80-300-50-90-HV | 16 | Expanded order for continued facility lighting upgrade |
| 2023 | MLLG-LED-HT80-300-50-90-HV | 52 | Seismic-qualified Reactor Building |
