6 years ago, AAA-LUX led the way in changing sports field lighting into LED on Australian soil. Now it is time to take the next step. Arealux has been AAA-LUX distribution partner since October 2017 and is now to become AAA-LUX AUSTRALIA making it a full member of the AAA-LUX lighting organisation.
Closer to the customer
“We aim to be closer to the
customer”, says Peter Vermaas, CCO at AAA-LUX. “Our headquarters in the
Netherlands is quite distant from Down Under. Having our feet on the ground in
Brisbane is an important step to support our customers better and faster. We
are extremely confident in Michael Read’s team to further grow our sustainable
footprint in Australia”. This development is part of AAA-LUX’s desire to expand
brand awareness. Michel Read, managing director at AAA-LUX Australia: “AAA-LUX
has done 2.500 projects in over 50 countries in the world. We are everywhere
but our success is accompanied with a limited brand recognition. It is time we
change that in Australia”.
AAA-LUX
Founded in 2005 in Eindhoven,
the Netherlands, by 2009 AAA-LUX had the world first to offer a full retrofit
for 2.000 Watt conventional luminaires. Over the next 11 years it became the
first in many things: illuminating a sports stadium with LED; supporting a TV
broadcasted tournament with LED; and enabling LED lighting on 45 meter high
masts.
AAA-LUX Australia managing
director Michael Read: “In 2014 AAA-LUX entered the market and now after 6 six
years we are happy to become part of the AAA-LUX family. The Australian market
is ready for the next step.”
The south of Estonia is a peaceful place with beautiful lakes surrounded by forests. The narrow roads guide people to get here and enjoy the weekend or a well-deserved holiday. You would not expect it to be a showcase for high power LED luminaires. Over four hundred of them have been applied by AAA-LUX, in cooperation with VIRU Elektrikaubandus, illuminating several sports facilities while respecting mother nature. These projects represent what AAA-LUX is all about.
Tehvandi Sports Center
Otepää is considered the winter capital of Estonia. With its biathlon, ski jump and cross country facilities as well as its specialized athlete hotel, Tehvandi Sports Center plays a central role. In 2019 the facilities have been prepared for international sports events. Last winter the European Championships Biathlon and Cross Country was cancelled, due to lack of snow. Thankfully there are many more events to come.
Low weight and wind surface
The two stadiums at Tehvandi were illuminated for 1.000lx. The football stadium is prepared for the start and finish in cross country and biathlon. The neighbouring biathlon arena was extended with a new penalty area. Five new stadium masts were used but the seven masts at the biathlon arena could be re-used thanks to the low weight and wind surface of AAA-LUX luminaires. “This is what made us more interesting over the competition”, says Michel van Dooren, AAA-LUX’ business development manager. “It gave the installer the head start in terms of total price level”.
Optimum use of funds and energy
But there is more to it than cost alone. Being able to offer quality lighting for the different purposes, requires specific types of luminaires. Narrow beam for 30 meter high masts at the stadium, and wide beam in the forest where the four kilometer ski track was illuminated. Sten Sooäär, project manager at VIRU Elektrikaubandus: “Different levels where requested for recreational use and training as well as for official competition. With extra intensity near the dozens of camera positions, providing clear TV images for Eurosports and other international TV broadcasting purposes”. VIRU made these plans together with AAA-LUX that led to the most optimum use of funds and energy.
Ease of use
An important aspect is dynamic controls. To minimize the burden on flora and fauna the philosophy of AAA-LUX is to illuminate only the location needed, at the time needed, at the level needed … and not more than that. Van Dooren: “Our luminaires can be controlled individually or in groups of luminaires, for a specific sector while the rest is switched off. Also per sector the required light level can be chosen. There are over 10 sectors divided over the stadiums and the tracks in the forest. When machines have created snow at specific tracks, only these tracks are lighted so athletes easily know where to go”.
Kääriku sports and leisure centre
Sooäär: “This project came on our path because of an earlier project nearby, at Kääriku Spordikeskus which is just 10 minute drive from here”. Kääriku had the same installer who was convinced of our products. The Kääriku sports and leisure centre, located in the middle of a stunningly beautiful area, was the first project of AAA-LUX with VIRU. It was done in three phases. At the end of 2015, early 2016 the tennis courts, volleyball fields and the playing areas where illuminated. Phase 2 in 2018 was the football field down the road and in 2019 the athletics facilities situated at the edge of the lake was illuminated. Today a high class athletics track stands with an artificial sports field in the middle. It completes the number of sports that Kääriku offers the guests in their hotels in the middle of this sports environment.
Lowest total project cost
“For this project we searched for an easy-to-use LED luminaire and we found it with AAA-LUX in The Netherlands. The difference with other LED manufacturers is that AAA-LUX can use the same masts as conventional lighting”, says Sooäär. “A large portion of the total budget is for infrastructure as in masts, cabling and installation cost. Where some LED manufacturers focus on the lowest priced luminaires, the vision of AAA-LUX is to have the lowest total project cost. That is clearly not the same thing. It means we can re-use old masts and when we buy new ones, standard masts are easily capable to handle the mechanical stress applied by these luminaires. So the total investment is lower which obviously is beneficial for the end-customer”.
Smart controls
Here also many
features of the smart controls are used. Each sports field has its own group,
so you can switch power and select the right lighting level from a central
control room. And thanks to radio frequency communication, it is easy to locate
the luminaires at the football field, which is 200m down the street. Also here
providing the light that is needed without wasting energy. Dynamic controls
reduced the carbon footprint by 60 – 80% compared to the conventional lighting
equivalent.
For AAA-LUX the South of Estonia is an example of the company’s vision. Van Dooren: “Being smart is needed to make money and exist as a company. Keeping in touch with nature is the core of our companies vision. This beautiful place combines both elements perfectly well.
Video: Top tier facilities in Malaysia
Next step made
AAA-LUX is well underway with illumination series of football accommodations in Malaysia. These high level fields are rented out to clubs and individual groups. After establishing a pilot recently the next step has been made to support their goal to drive the ecosystem of football in Malaysia by establishing top tier football facilities and through this “making football more accessible for the people ultimately creating unity through our beloved common sport”. AAA-LUX is pleased and thankful to be a part of this.
Location Kuala Lumpur
Since a couple of years AAA-LUX has a location in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Besides local production it is the sales hub for Malaysia and the surrounding countries. The presence has led to a number of cooperation with national organisations. These nice projects are the outcome of that. It shows what we are capable of.
Change in attitude
AAA-LUX Malaysia Managing Director Shi Chai Chong: Using stadium-alike-mast constructions is quite common in this region. It is a result of the use of a high number of low priced low power luminaires. For this weight and wind load we need strong masts. Our quest in this region is to change the attitude because in the end you spend more for a modest light quality. With AAA-LUX, much more cost efficient masts can be used, which – besides the high quality lighting – leads to a lower total project price. “It is not so easy to break through this culture but we are getting there”, says Mr. Chong.
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success”
Both the professional as well as the recreational sports world, has come to an almost full stop. The Olympic Games and the European Championships Football have been postponed. Sports accommodations are temporarily closed and airports and seaports have reduced traffic. While the global measures to contain Covid-19 have significant effects, AAA-LUX sympathizes with customers and partners in all sectors.
We have taken all necessary measures at the factories and offices in The Netherlands, Malaysia and Australia, to minimize health risks for everyone involved.
For some it is crucial to know that AAA-LUX supports ongoing activities. A large part of the supply chain is in operation and AAA-LUX is able to supply LED luminaires at short notice. We offer remote sales and after sales support.
Please stay healthy and supportive of each other.
Feel free to give us a call when needed.
Our partner from Abatec (CZ) taking safety measures while working.
AAA-LUX enters Sri Lanka, the 48th country
In 2009 AAA-LUX was the first in the world to introduce a 1-to-1 LED retrofit solution for conventional sport field luminaires, at several sports fields in Eindhoven that are still in operation today. It gives AAA-LUX the longest track record of all.
Since then dozens of world scoops have been introduced. Including Sri Lanka, AAA-LUX currently has a footprint in 48 countries, spread over 5 continents.
The lighting was first taken in use during the 45th National Sports Festival, organized by the Sports Ministry along with the department of Sports Development in the Vincent Dias Stadium, Badulla.
AAA-LUX was happy to provide great visibility for the 2,100 athletes that participated in the event. President Maithripala Sirisena was the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
Everton FC and Aston Villa choose AAA-LUX
AAA-LUX in the English Premier League
We are proud to announce that since the beginning of this season, the training grounds of Aston Villa (Bodymoor Heath) and Everton FC (Finch Farm), are being illuminated with AAA-LUX luminaires. Both clubs now have LED lighting on multiple trainings fields, combined with our InControl lighting control system.
In cooperation with Abacus these two well-known names joined the football clubs that teamed up with AAA-LUX. Besides the English Premier League (Everton FC, Aston Villa) and Championship (Huddersfield Town), AAA-LUX is active in training accommodations as well as HDTV lighting (stadiums) in the German Bundesliga (Schalke04, TSG Hoffenheim), the Dutch Eredivisie and second league (FC Utrecht, AZ Alkmaar, RKC Waalwijk, Almere FC), Danish Football (Helsingor FC), Italian Serie A (SPAL), the Austrian Bundesliga (Sturm Graz) and World Cup Qatar 2022 (Al-Bayt Training Grounds), among others.
A more extensive reference list is available upon request, which besides more professional references contains tennis, basketball, athletics and rugby stadiums.
Video Case RKC Waalwijk Stadium
The miracle of Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk, a football club located in the peaceful city of Waalwijk (NL), had high ambitions to get back into the Dutch Eredivisie (see last years post for more information on their ambition). And what a fantastic season they had. Check out this video to see what happened:
In the playoffs for promotion they did the unexpected. They took the victory away in the last minute of the final game… and earned promotion to the Dutch Eredivisie.
The miracle of Waalwijk … that is what they called it. But was it really a miracle? Let’s turn back time to the preparations for this amazing season. The club refurbished its 7.500 seat stadium, invested in new fitness facilities and applied new training methods. All this could ofcourse benefit their results, but they also invested in something else…
..Something that gave them clear vision, made them see the ball and their target distintcly, made their yellow and blue colors stand out; AAA-LUX LED lighting!
This is great of course, but to call it a miracle… it’s just our daily business, just like we’ve done it in 48 countries, spread over 5 continents. A more extensive reference list is available upon request, which not only contains more on professional football references but also on tennis, basketball, athletics and rugby stadiums.
AAA-LUX at Smart City Barcelona
Speech on future of sports lighting
Smart City Expo wants to empower cities and collectivize urban innovation across the globe. Through promoting social innovation, establishing partnerships and identifying business opportunities, the event is dedicated to creating a better future for cities and their citizens worldwide. Relevant for lighting for example, could be a further digital transformation and more attention for a healthy environment.
Erik Swennen, CTO and founder of AAA-LUX, will attend as a speaker at the Smart City World Congress in Barcelona.
AAA-LUX has been requested to present its view on the consequences of urbanization on light pollution as well as carbon footprint around sport accommodations. And how to integrate sports lighting into smart and healthy city networks, using for example RS technology (reduced spill light) and InControl (lighting management systems), to protect people and motivate optimal use. Even with only 30 meters between sports fields and housing, it is very well possible to have high quality lighting on the field while shielding the light from reaching peoples living rooms. In addition the use of controls limits the light to the location needed, the time needed and the level needed, and not more. This leads to optimum light spill control and a vast reduction of carbon footprint.
AAA-LUX wants to learn from cities and municipalities how they would like to monitor and motivate the use of such tools, what data is required, and what is needed in the near future.
Case Study: Springfield Central Sporting Complex
AAA-LUX LED lighting at impressive new sports facilities! Lush, green fields and netball courts await thousands of Ipswich sportspeople – both players and supporters – with the opening of the $56 million Springfield Central Sporting Complex.
Designed by global infrastructure, environmental and social development company Cardno, the 22.5-hectare sporting precinct located on Sportstar Drive, Springfield Central, includes 16 netball courts, eight tennis courts, four multi-purpose sporting fields, three club houses with canteens/amenities, two playgrounds and ample car parking.
Ipswich City Council will manage the facilities and has signed lease agreements with local sporting clubs such as Springfield United and Western Pride football clubs, Springfield Lakes and South West Wildcats netball clubs, Greater Springfield Sports (AFL and cricket) and Rugby League Ipswich.
Smart features like LED lighting have been installed to ensure no shadows appear on the fields and courts, while 2000 recycled plastic bollards have been used as barriers to car zones. There will be about 600 car park available.
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