Orion presents Chicago Sweeteners with Environmental Award

Light-related energy reduction the air-scrubbing equivalent of a 62-acre forest.

Des Plaines, Ill. - Orion Energy Systems has awarded Chicago Sweeteners with an Environmental Stewardship Award for reducing energy consumption through the use of Orion’s Compact Modular™, high-intensity fluorescent (HIF) lighting platform.

Chicago Sweeteners, of Chicago, is expected to cut its light-related electricity consumption by 62 percent, from 550,047 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 210,933 kWh. The company replaced 188 high-intensity discharge light fixtures with Orion’s energy-saving fluorescent fixtures.

“The award was a big surprise,” said Maintenance Supervisor Joe Buck. “I was so proud to receive this award and so proud of what we’re doing for the environment.”

What does reducing electricity consumption have to do with the environment? Electricity that won’t be consumed is never generated, meaning the harmful greenhouse gases associated with its creation won’t be released into the atmosphere.

Therefore, Chicago Sweeteners will indirectly decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 4,454 tons over the 20 year lifecycle of Orion’s fixtures. During that same period, Chicago Sweeteners will reduce 18 tons of sulfur dioxide and 7 tons of nitrogen oxides, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The greenhouse gas emission reductions are the air-scrubbing equivalent of a 62-acre forest or removing 55 cars from the road, according to the EPA. The emission reductions also equate to saving 27,994 gallons of gasoline every year.

As if the environmental savings weren’t enough, the company is expected to slash its light-related electricity costs by 62 percent, from $38,503 to $14,765 a year because of the reduced energy consumption.

Chicago Sweeteners also installed motion sensors, which turn on lights only when needed. By keeping lights off when not needed, Chicago Sweeteners is saving even more energy and associated costs.

“These lights are the best thing since sliced bread,” Buck said. “The people who pick-up and drop off orders love them and all of the employees have noticed the increased quality of light. The entire process has been very positive.”

“And, these lights are easy to install and to perform maintenance on,” Buck said.

As a result of the plug-and-play installation, Buck said the project “couldn’t go any better. It was dynamite. Excellent.”

Orion’s patented, high-efficiency lighting cuts light-related energy consumption by 50 percent or more, while providing about 50 percent more light than traditional, high-intensity discharge (HID) fixtures. Orion’s fixtures also are light and easy to install and maintain.

“It’s always a pleasure to hear about a company like Chicago Sweeteners saving so much money and so much energy as a result of our technology,” said Orion President and CEO Neal Verfuerth. “The savings are real and permanent, and other companies can share in the success of Chicago Sweeteners and save just as much, if not more, while significantly reducing their carbon footprint by using our products.”

Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 4,387 facilities across North America. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 423 megawatts, saving customers more than $514 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 4 million tons. Orion’s technology was recently internationally recognized with a Platts Global Energy Award for the single most innovative and sustainable green technology of 2008.

Orion Energy Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: OESX) is a leading power technology enterprise that designs, manufactures and implements energy management systems, consisting primarily of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, intelligent wireless control systems and direct renewable solar technology for commercial and industrial customers without compromising their operations. Orion has deployed its energy management systems in 5,374 facilities across North America, including 123 of the Fortune 500 companies. Since 2001, Orion technology has displaced more than 504 megawatts, saving customers more than $782 million and reducing indirect carbon dioxide emissions by 6.7 million tons. For more information, visit www.oesx.com.