We have combined our knowledge of the power of LED light in the turf grow process with the research results obtained by the Biocenter of the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich. There they have been studying the interactions of LED light and different climate situations on the development of very different types of grass since 2012. This has helped our business unit Rhenac Sports LED to develop ground breaking and highly innovative CLS LED field lighting technology that is superior to conventional sodium vapor luminaires.
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What makes Rhenac GreenTec AG unique?
Which parameters/variables are required for LED to be successful as a full pitch solution?
From a pitch point of view, CLS LED field lighting technology can be successful on a 100% natural pitch, as well as on a hybrid pitch. The success does not depend on the grass species, the geographical location of the stadium (continent), or on the orientation of the stadium (north/south/east/west). We can make our Complete Light Spectrum (CLS) technology work on any pitch in any stadium anywhere in the world.
Looking at re-turfing: What is the effect if you grow grass outside in a nursery and install the ready to play sods in a stadium? What will happen?
A newly installed pitch will experience stress and produce less chlorophyll, which is a vital pigment used by the grass to achieve a dense pitch. Our Complete Light Spectrum (CLS) technology has the ability to stimulate the circumstances in which grass will naturally increase its chlorophyll production rate.
If you grow your pitch in a turf farm and then move it into the arena, how long would it take to adapt?
The time that it takes for grass to adapt fully to the new conditions and become green turf is dependent on several parameters, such as:
- grass species;
- time of year, i.e. prevailing temperatures at the farm and status of photosynthesis;
- preparation of the turf (see previous answer);
- turf vitality; and
- number of plant grow light rigs available.
As a rule of thumb for predominantly Lolium perenne-based turf in Western Europe, we expect the turf to be able to adapt in 2-3 weeks in the growing season and 1-2 weeks outside the main growing season.
How is CLS vs HPS better overtime from a cost point of view?
The major objective for every stadium field is proper density of the pitch. The more leaves per cm2, the more photosynthesis per cm2 is possible.
Unlike our Complete Light Spectrum (CLS) technology, High Pressure Sodium technology is limited to only the yellow/orange/red part of the light spectrum. This can only trigger increased grass length growth. Therefore, the field needs to be mowed more often to achieve a higher density. CLS, on the other hand, has the special spec to give the growth more branching to close the pitch faster. As soon as this is achieved, the specs can be adjusted to invest light energy into stabilizing the roots and leaves. The more resistant the pitch, the shorter the time for recovering/recultivating the pitch, and the better it is protected against disease and stress and other problems – which saves energy.
Faster pitch regeneration also means that the groundsman will spend less time maintaining it. A strong and healthy pitch can also be used more frequently and for different events.
CLS runs on LED technology which by itself is known to be much more energy-efficient than traditional High Pressure Sodium (HPS) technology.
LED technology can also be operated at variable intensities, whereby HPS technology can only be switched on or off.