Another aim of the Statkraft replacement project is to maintain the architectonic qualities of the power stations.

“So far, we have replaced 8,000 light fittings that contain PCB, and in 2009 we will have finished with the remaining 15,000. All in all, this means that we will be phasing out more than two tonnes of capacitors that contain PCB. All the waste gene-rated from this project will be delivered to reception centres approved for the treatment of environmen-tally hazardous materials,” says Jan Bjørnar Berglund, Project Manager at Statkraft Energi.

With this project, Statkraft is making an appreciable contribution to phasing out products that contain PCB, and which the pollution control authorities are working hard to eradicate. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) estimates that aro-und 600,000 PCB light fittings are still in use in Norway.

ECO-FRIENDLY LIGHTING. The machine hall at Nore I at Rødberg at the top of Numedal valley has restored its original lighting set-up, completely free from environmentally hazardous PCB.

Three aspects at once
It is not just the environment that benefits from the phasing out of light fittings that contain PCB. The replacement project results in better lighting and cuts electricity bills, too. Statkraft has calculated that at one power station (Kjela in Telemark), the new lighting setup actually reduces total power consumption by 25–30 per cent!

“We expect annual savings of around 25–30 GWh because the new light fittings perform better than the old ones, so we need fewer light sources to produce the same amount of light,” explains Jan Bjørnar Berglund.

The project involves upgrading all aspects of lighting use, and the lighting control system is being remodelled to ensure that each station operates an optimal energy-saving solution. The switch to electrical pre-connection rather than fittings involving capacitors and reactors also cuts energyconsumption significantly.

In addition, the improved optics in the new light fittings makes it possible to reduce the number of light sources without affecting the total lighting effect. On account of the improved lighting effect and positioning, the plants now enjoy appreciably better lighting conditions.

Architectonic improvement
Another aim of the Statkraft replacement project is to maintain the architectonic qualities of the power stations.

“The machine halls in particular were a challenge. Here, we have removed the light fittings above and below the crane arms, as these used a great deal of energy and produced a poor level of light. In addition, the locations acted as ‘magnets’ for dirt and were very difficult and expensive to maintain,” says Jan Bjørnar.

The solution proved to be to light the machine hall directly from the ceiling and along the walls. Old stations such as Nore I have been given back their original lighting setups, with the old domes being remodelled and all the light fittings removed.

FACT FILE: PCB

• The environmental toxin PCB (Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls) comprises a man-made group of chemicals used all over the world.
• The use of PCB has been prohibited since 1980, but there are still around 120 tonnes of PCB in Norwegian buildings and constructions completed prior to this date.
• Capacitors in indoor and outdoor light fi ttings and vapour lights that contain PCB are now to be phased out pursuant to a directive from the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. 
• PCB has also been used in thermal windows, mortar, paint, grout and the like.
• All waste that contains PCB has to be delivered to special reception stations for appropriate treatment.
• The replacement of all PCB light fi ttings in Norway with new energy-saving solutions will cut energy consumption by 0.5–1 Terawatt hour (TWh). This is equivalent to the volume of energy generated by one Alta power plant.