JOHANNESBURG (Commodity Online): Energy efficiency and climate change have become key concerns at the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament underway in South Africa with flourescent lamps and LED lights stealing the show.

Germany's OSRAM, is providing energy-efficient lighting solutions in 10 stadium, for catering establishments and parking lots.Of all the components OSRAM has supplied to South Africa, the LED-illuminated arc known as "The Arch" will be the highlight, featuring over 12,000 Golden DRAGON Plus LEDs and spanning the entire Durban stadium.

A total of 350 meters long, 2,600 metric tonnes in weight and 30 stories high, The Arch will be visible from afar. It symbolizes the unification of some 70,000 sports lovers in Durban’s stadium.

The illumination is being provided by "LED Beams" which OSRAM developed in collaboration with the local manufacturer BEKA especially to meet the demands of the stadium. Just under two meters in length, they are weather-proof and can be used flexibly. The installation and maintenance of the lighting components are carried out from a chamber inside The Arch. "Accentuating this exceptionally imposing structure with our LEDs was a great challenge" explained Florian Hockel, the applications engineer responsible for this project. "The impressive result is sure to thrill thousands of visitors"

Sales for the OSRAM group worldwide in the year ending September 30, 2009 totaled 4.0 billion euros, 88 percent of which came from outside Germany. OSRAM is a high-tech company in the lighting industry. Over 66 percent of sales come from energy-efficient products. This global player employs more than 39.000 people worldwide, supplies customers in some 150 countries and has 46 production facilities in 17 countries.

Meanwhile, Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) announced that it installed new ArenaVision sports lighting systems at six of South Africa’s top sports stadiums. These stadiums now rank internationally with the best-lit sporting stadiums. The advanced lighting solutions of Philips contribute to enhancing the viewing experience for players, spectators and TV viewers alike, bringing the spectacle and emotion of the soccer play alive.

When designing lighting for world-class sporting venues it is not only important to consider the needs of the sports people and referees but also the spectators and viewers at home, the company said.

Jeroen Jansen, Philips Lighting’s General Manager for Southern Africa says: “Light represents less than 1% of the stadium/arena budget, but determines 99% of the effect seen on TV. It is vital that our lighting systems accommodate the stringent demands of the TV broadcasting industry in capturing the details and emotion of the sports for a remote audience. But it does not stop there.

The ArenaVision also give live spectators the best possible viewing experience to clearly see what is going on from every seat. And, as we all know, every detail can be of great importance. Good and unobtrusive lighting help players and referees deliver the best performance. It is for this reason that Philips was chosen to light most of the South Africa’s top stadiums.”

Philips’ ArenaVision sports lighting already equips more than half of the world’s major football stadiums, and the technology has been further improved since the Germany World Cup. New optic has been developed that allows for 10% more light and fewer luminaires to be used, saving on costs, energy use and maintenance. In fact, with the new optical efficiency the light distributed has minimal spill light.

Philips ArenaVision sports floodlighting system has been installed at Soccer City, Ellis Park, Royal Bafokeng, Moses Mabhida, Peter Mokaba and Nelson Mandela stadiums.

Philips has been the leader in sports lighting applications. For years, Philips has been the technical partner of international sports federations. Philips worked with federations such as IAAF (athletics), FIFA (football), FIBA (basketball), ITF (tennis) and FIH (hockey). Through these partnerships, Philips has helped to draw up official specifications and guidelines for floodlighting in sporting venues. Philips can create a unique experience in managing the complexity of multi-sports events and cares for the total lighting solution: from design to commissioning. Philips has the most reliable and efficient products.

Philips is also lighting up a hotel, in which the Dutch soccer team is staying, with LED lighting solutions. (Webwire)

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