Mittelplate drilling and production island in the German Wadden Sea tidelands. Optimising the lighting equipment reduction of the light being emitted

Transcription

1 Mittelplate drilling and production island in the German Wadden Sea tidelands Optimising the lighting equipment reduction of the light being emitted

2 Mittelplate drilling and production island Since October 1987 production of more than 25 million tons crude oil The island with dimensions of 70 x 95 metres ist built in the form of a leak-proof steel-and-concrete basin Seite 2

3 Mittelplate drilling and production island 7 km off the coast in the national park Schleswigholsteinisches Wattenmeer since 2009 world natural heritage Against the backdrop of this sensitive environment the lighting of the Mittelplate was optimised Seite 3

4 Current findings on the impacts of artificial light on birds Nocturnally migrating birds are attracted by large artifical light sources is particularly prevalent in the offshore region May lead to disorientation, energy loss, collisions and increased decimation by predators Approximately 6 million migratory birds are affected per season in the area of the North Sea There are different findings regarding the attraction of birds by green, blue and red light in the literature Deployment of e.g. green light on Mittelplate is not expedient for the time being effort was made to reduce the light emanating from Mittelplate Seite 4

5 Measures to optimise the lighting equipment All lighting equipment potentially emitting light to the outside was recorded, classified and examined for optimisation potential 400 fluorescent tubes, 20 mercury lamps and 13 sodium vapour lamps are deployed on Mittelplate Photos taken in the dark from the outside were used to detect relevant light sources Seite 5

6 Measures to optimise the lighting equipment Decommissioning wherever possible light sources were dismantled E.g. on the southern pier outside the sheet pile wall the number of lamps was reduced from 28 to 14 of the remaining lamps only 3 are still in non-stop operation Switching Where work is not carried out non-stop light sources were equipped with switches Where use of light switches is impractical light barriers were installed Seite 6

7 Example Staircase towers of the living quarters Seite 7

8 Example Staircase towers of the living quarters Seite 8

9 Example Staircase towers of the living quarters Seite 9

10 Example Staircase towers of the living quarters Seite 10

11 Measures to optimise the lighting equipment Optimum alignment and light guidance shields Light sources were ideally positioned to minimise light being emanated into the surroundings Where necessary additional light guidance shields were installed By relocating lamps the reflection of walls was reduced Seite 11

12 Example Standby electricity generator Deployment of light guidance shields Decommissioning of one of the fluorescent tubes Seite 12

13 Measures to optimise the lighting equipment Control via the process control system Control of the entire lighting equipment via the process control system of the central control station Plant operator can intervene in the lighting control system Areas where work is under way can be lit up, whereas areas where nobody is present remain with reduced lighting The entire external lighting is automatically switched off in adequate daylight conditions by the process control system via a twilight switch Emergency lighting is turned on by the twilight switch remaining lighting has to be activated on demand in each section Seite 13

14 Taking account of safety at work Occupational safety also enjoys priority in the context of optimising the lighting equipment Lighting can be reduced to a minimum as long as nobody is present in a certain area Detailed on-site inspection with Germanischer Lloyd confirmed compliance with the relevant regulations - concept is successful also from the perspective of safety at work Seite 14

15 Before/after comparison Photographs were taken from outside Mittelplate before and after implementation of the various measures In the dark under identical conditions (New Moon, identical camera settings: aperture: 2.8; exposure time 1/100 sec; ISO: 2000; focal length: 50 mm) Seite 15

16 Außenaufnahmen Nordseite Juni 2010 Dezember North Seite 16

17 Außenaufnahmen Westseite Juni 2010 Dezember West Seite 17

18 Außenaufnahmen Südseite Juni 2010 Dezember South Seite 18

19 Außenaufnahmen Ostseite Juni 2010 Dezember East Seite 19

20 Thank you for your attention Seite 20