Lighting control and automation group Dynalite has provided custom installation group Totalec with an innovative automated lighting solution for the Beverly Hills cinema complex in Sydney.

The lighting system has enabled the cinema to slash its lighting electricity consumption by a staggering 80%.

And Totalec has been awarded the Environment and Energy Efficiency Award at the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) NSW Excellence Awards.

The lighting installation was part of a total building upgrade that turned the Beverly Hills cinema complex from a twin theatre into a six-theatre multiplex.

Totalec site supervisor Nick Sais says the Beverly Hills six-cinema complex is one of the world’s first commercial buildings to be entirely illuminated using LED and optic fibre lighting technology.

“The combination of LED lighting and Dynalite’s automated lighting system makes this lighting installation extremely energy efficient.

“LEDs are inherently more energy efficient than conventional incandescent and gaseous-discharge luminaires. Furthermore, automating the lighting system means lights are activated only when and where they are required, and only at the required levels of illumination.”

Dynalite collaborated with Totalec to design an automated lighting control system tailored to the cinema’s operational requirements.

The system comprises a range of Dynalite ballast and relay controllers, motion detectors, switches and several control and monitoring interfaces, all linked via the DyNet peer-to-peer communications serial bus network.

Luminaires including high-powered LED fittings, strip lighting, wall washers and aisle lighting were provided by architectural lighting specialist Optic Fibre and LED Lighting Solutions.

“The cinema operators required a simple, easily used automated lighting system,” Nick says.

“This is essentially a ‘single button’ solution. Once the system is activated, all lighting manipulations across the entire cinema complex are carried out automatically, freeing up cinema staff to focus on their duties.”

Dynalite NSW sales engineer Frank Corrao says integration was the key.

“The Dynalite system was integrated with the movie projector control system and took many of its cues to modify lighting schemes from the on-screen programming.

“Also, by automating the lighting system, the enormous switch banks usually required in manually operated complexes were avoided. However, operator interface panels in each projection room and main control office can override the system in the case of an emergency or exceptional circumstances.

“This level of integration and operational flexibility is inherent across the Dynalite solution set.”

Dynalite provided ongoing support throughout the project, from design through to installation and commissioning.

“The Dynalite team provided valuable troubleshooting assistance,” Nick says.

“This was evident when we were implementing a solution to dim the LEDs – which can be challenging. Fluctuations and loss of lamp light are difficult to remedy.

“Dynalite had the technical know-how and hardware to achieve consistent and reliable LED dimming.”

Now that the Beverly Hills cinema complex is reaping the benefits of energy-efficient lighting, the team of lighting specialists is looking to the future.

“We’re confident the team will have the opportunity to provide such energy-saving solutions for many more commercial installations,” Frank says.