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The Franz Fekete Stadium, Kapfenberg, Austria

  • The Franz Fekete Stadium, Kapfenberg
  • The Franz Fekete Stadium
  • The Franz Fekete Stadium
  • Lamp efficacy

    Lamp efficacy

    Ensuring the lamp efficiently converts electricity into light (lm/W).

  • Ballast classification

    Ballast classification

    Controlling the electricity supply to the lamp (Energy Efficiency Index).

  • Luminaire distribution

    Luminaire distribution

    Controlling light emission using optics which bend and shape the light to the correct location.

  • System efficacy

    System efficacy

    High performance optical design using the best available light source and gear combine to put light exactly where it is needed and in a highly efficient luminaire.

  • Presence/absence detection

    Presence/absence detection

    Providing lighting only when it’s needed.

  • Daylight detection

    Daylight detection

    Reducing waste light during daylight hours.

  • Constant illuminance

    Constant illuminance

    Producing the correct lighting levels for the duration of the maintenance period.

  • Task-scene setting

    Task-scene setting

    Allowing the user to set scenes and adapt the lighting to different tasks.

  • Timed off

    Timed off

    Automatic cut-off to turn all lights off during unoccupied hours.

  • Task lighting

    Task lighting

    Light from precisely aimed luminaires is provide just onto the pitch and the surrounding area maximising energy efficiency.

  • Zoning of lighting

    Zoning of lighting

    Zoning lighting in accordance to occupancy patterns or window location.

  • Maintenance schedule

    Maintenance schedule

    Tailoring maintenance schedules in accordance to product age, performance and environment.

  • Waste light

    Waste light

    High performance optics for sports application and obtrusive light control provide light only to the task and not to the surrounding neighborhood.

  • Reflectance

    Reflectance

    Taking advantage of light which is reflected from the surface within the space.

  • Visible smart metering

    Visible smart metering

    Enabling results of actions to be quickly seen as increased or decreased energy use to encourage responsible energy consumption.

The Franz Fekete Stadium is a multipurpose arena in Kapfenberg, Austria. Mainly used for football matches, it is home to Kapfenberger SV, who competes in the Austrian Liga 1. The 12 000 capacity stadium was built in 1987 and until recently was still operating many of the original floodlights and columns.

The stadium decided to refurbish the floodlights on the 65x105m playing ground, to meet the guidelines set by the Austrian football league. Based on the lighting design of the Engineering Office Peter Samt, the energy management company eww ag Kommunaltechnik won the tender together with Thorn Lighting as the lighting partner.

Setting the objectives

The lighting solution should needed to the following objectives: Increase the light level to meet the Austrian football league guidelines of 1000lx vertical and 1400lx horizontal illuminance. Use existing columns to save on installation costs. Quick delivery time and reduce energy demands and costs. The project involved replacing over 110 inefficient 2kW and 3,5kW floodlights throughout the grounds.

A high performance solution

108 2kW Thorn Altis high intensity discharge floodlights, specifically designed for high definition TV broadcasting, were chosen to meet the specification. Altis features a unique optical design. It provides an unrivalled combination of photometries to provide the right levels of vertical illuminance. Altis provides a good colour rendering index and colour temperatures, needed for a high quality viewing experience. Excellent thermal management and a well thought out mechanical construction further ensure excellent consistency and stability of light over time. In addition 10 Champion asymmetric floodlights were used in surrounding areas. The Champion floodlight incorporates a unique flat glass concept and an integrated visor for total control of glare and obtrusive light (0 cd at 90°). The new installation increased lighting levels from 670lx on the vertical to around 1260lx and 1052lx on the horizontal to above 1600lx, meeting the Austrian guidelines for the football league.

Energy reduction of 35%

The stadium’s manager, Ing. Helmut Podolan explains, “Thorn have exceeded our expectations! With a 35% lower connected load we have achieved a higher level of lighting. So not only have we improved the quality of light the players play in, we have reduced energy consumption. Additionally the innovative design of the Champion floodlight means that the amount of light spill has been reduced. Hence we are wasting less energy and residents in the surrounding areas will have less light nuisance, which is great for the stadiums relations with the local community.”

Roland Wegscheider eww ag Kommunaltechnik Project Leader, adds, “We were very happy working with Thorn. They were very reliable with the fast delivery times, the products were received within three weeks of placing the order and the customer service throughout the projects was extremely good”.

Key facts


• Thorn Altis and Champion provide the right light for the task
• Energy savings of 35% are achieved
• High definition broadcasting specification is met