The Oresund Bridge.
Energy efficient and dynamic lighting at The Oresund Bridge (Øresundsbron).
As part of an energy-optimising plan and the upcoming 20-year anniversary for the bridge, the Øresund Bridge Consortium decided to replace the 20-year-old lighting solution with a new and improved lighting installation. Light Bureau designed a flexible lighting system with a considerable optimization of energy use, while giving the bridge a new and notable aesthetic expression.
Client : Øresundsbro Konsortiet (Øresund Bridge Consortium)
Subcontractor : Veolia
Supply of luminaires : LiteNordic and Martin Professional
Custom-made mounting frames : Moho Works
Cases and shielding : Sindal Stålindustri
Photographer : Allan Toft
Completion year : 2020
The project began in December 2019 and on a tight timetable Light Bureau was tasked with providing a complete lighting solution, including technical advisory, lighting design, project planning, custom designed constructions, technical infrastructure, establishment and programming.
The standard lighting scenario is white, with a nice even lighting on the pylons. However, the new lighting system is a dynamic solution allowing the Øresund Bridge Consortium to work with coloured lighting in several layers and can be used to express the brand and identity of the bridge in the future.
These light layers offer an excellent opportunity to reinforce the bridge’s spatial qualities and will provide an extraordinary atmosphere on special occasions designed to grab the attention of commuters and anyone with a view to the bridge. The dynamic and coloured lighting scenarios are designed to revitalize the expression of the bridge at night-time on special occasions. For instance, visually communicating social statements for marketing and cultural events, with the intent of enhancing the user experience and create a more engaging experience, meaning positive word of mouth.
An example of the possibilities provided by the new lighting system is the colourful event scenario on the pylons, which Light Bureau designed to mark the 20-year anniversary of the bridge.
“Our solution is not just about energy savings, power and function. We have also put a lot of energy into the aesthetic expression of the lighting design on the pylons. We have worked across country borders, during particular circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, and through a strong collaboration we succeeded in creating a custom-designed solution in record time. I am proud of both the whole team and of the results we have achieved,”
The new lighting will save energy and reduce light pollution
The entire system is custom-made to fit the construction, withstand the harsh wind and weather conditions at the Øresund Bridge, and minimize glare and shadows from the suspended wire-cables. The lighting is created with 192 LED RGBW luminaires, which can be individually controlled by DMX. The use of narrow-beam optics and precise dimming of the luminaires minimises waste light and thus reduce light pollution and save energy. The new lighting system will reduce consumption and create a considerable energy saving of up to 80% compared to the old lighting system.
”We have worked on a strict time plan to deliver the lighting in time for the anniversary. I am happy that we succeeded, and that the lighting delivers exactly what we wished for. The light tests show an impressive and flexible lighting, which is considerably more energy-efficient at the same time as it gives the bridge a proper aesthetic expression,” says Bengt Hergart, Director at the Øresund Bridge Consortium.
About Øresundsbron
Øresundsbron, known worldwide for its leading role in the Scandinavian hit television series ‘The Bridge’, is part of the road and rail link between Sweden and Denmark. It accounts for half the length of the link, approx. 8 km, including the four 203,5 m high pylons supporting the bridge span. The fixed link has made it easy to live on one side of Øresund and work on the other, and as a result, commuting by car and train has increased dramatically, with approx. 32,100 daily commuters by car, since the bridge opened to the public in July 2000.
This project was realised in close cooperation between Light Bureau, the subcontractors and the Øresund Bridge Consortium.
