Schneider Electric is Closing Manufacturing Plant in Rockford Illinois

Schneider Electric in Rockford Illinois (formerly Barber Coleman) is closing. The manufacturing that is currently done in Rockford, IL will be moved to existing facilities in Clovis, California, Portland, Oregon and China. Schneider Electric’s Vice President of Press Relations, Marty Hanna told local news source WIFR that the company will move all production out of its Clifford Avenue location by the time the building's lease is up in March of 2014. Currently, 400 people currently work at the Loves Park facility. Of that 400, 240 positions will be eliminated. Schneider plans to keep 160 office employees in the Rockford area. They will look for a new location before the lease expires in March of 2014.

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Energy Conservation Measures - Thoughts on Lighting Control

I am not an expert on lighting by any measure. However, when I was recently asked about some ideas to conserve energy I couldn't resist looking at lighting control. Here is what I learned:

Daylight Harvesting - Daylight harvesting systems automatically lower light levels when adequate daylight is available. Sensors detect daylight levels and automatically adjust the output level of electric lighting to create a balance with the goal of reducing energy costs.

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Occupancy Sensors – Occupancy Sensors to control lighting are an obvious way to reduce the amount of time when lights are on when they are not needed. I only mention it here because opportunities to use occupancy sensors are often overlooked. Like variable frequency drives, this is a mature technology that is underutilized.

LED Lighting – Another obvious but too often overlooked technology. Large scale replacement of incandescent lighting must be considered with the change in heat load in mind. Part of the reduction in electrical cost will be offset by an increase in heating load. Another point worth mentioning is that the color rendering index (CRI) that is possible with LED lighting has improved to a point where it may be possible to use LED lighting in settings where it was not possible in the past.

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