Soon Portland residents and visitors will start seeing the Oregon Convention Center's iconic towers glowing in a variety of colors, depending on the events inside. But it isn't all for show. The new programmable LED tower lighting system will also provide greater energy efficiency.
"We have already replaced 70 to 75 percent of our interior lighting with more energy-efficient fixtures," said Scott Cruickshank, OCC executive director. "But we haven't touched the towers until now."
During the day, the two 320-foot spire towers provide natural lighting to the center. The original tower lights were installed more than 20 years ago, and the updated lighting system is one of many steps the LEED Platinum certified center is taking to reduce its overall energy usage.
At the same time, the center is installing one of the largest solar arrays on a convention center in the U.S. Its 6,500 rooftop solar panels are expected to produce up to 25 percent of the facility’s electricity.
"We are taking every opportunity we can to make our building one of the most sustainable venues in the country, and the world," said Cruickshank.
Shortly, these efforts will offer the ability to efficiently light up the building in any color of the spectrum, "including green."