Conversion from fluorescent to LED tubes in EnBW power plants

The Challenge

EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG faced the challenge of modernizing its heterogeneous lighting infrastructure across power plants and office buildings. The existing T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes generated high energy costs, required frequent maintenance, and performed poorly under extreme temperature conditions. For one of Germany’s largest energy providers, the goal was to find an economical and sustainable LED lighting system that could deliver reliability in both industrial and office environments.

The Solution – LED Retrofit with the GLT LED TUBE

In the power plants of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, 35,000 old T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes were replaced 1:1 with GLT LED TUBES “Made in Germany.”
The conversion was carried out as an LED retrofit solution with full standards compliance according to ENEC / IEC 62776, allowing existing luminaires and fixtures to be retained and efficiently modernized.

Especially under extreme temperature conditions from –40 °C to +70 °C, the GLT LED TUBE demonstrates its strength: the integrated high-performance power supply and patented heat dissipation ensure maximum operational safety and a lifetime of up to 130,000 operating hours – ideal for continuous, heavy-duty use in technical facilities and power plant environments.

With annual energy savings of approximately 10.7 million kWh, the project achieved a payback period of just one year. The virtually maintenance-free lighting system significantly reduces maintenance requirements and operating costs – a crucial advantage in hard-to-access areas, where every maintenance task previously involved significant effort and expense.

By implementing GLT LED TUBES, EnBW has realized a durable, safe, and sustainable lighting solution that perfectly combines efficiency, reliability, and economic performance.

Key advantages of our LED retrofit for EnBW’s power plants:

• Annual energy savings of around 10.7 million kWh with a payback period of just one year.
• ENEC-certified temperature resistance from –40 °C to +70 °C, ideal for continuous operation in power plants and technical environments.
• Integrated high-performance power supply and patented heat dissipation ensure maximum efficiency and up to 130,000 operating hours of lifetime.
• Maintenance-free and long-lasting lighting solution, particularly beneficial in hard-to-access areas and extreme environmental conditions.
• Future-proof system with the GLT multi-use return program, contributing to long-term circular economy and EnBW’s sustainability strategy.

Key Benefits & Advantages

Conclusion

The decision to switch to the GLT LED TUBEGLT LED TUBEwas based on a study conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP)study conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP). The findings confirmed that in the EF3.0 Climate Change category, the GLT LED TUBE surpasses conventional 58 W fluorescent tubes after just 15 operating days, and outperforms all comparable LED competitor products after 101 days.

With the company-wide retrofit, EnBW, as one of Germany’s leading energy providers, has modernized its industrial and office lighting systems in a sustainable and cost-effective way. The project stands out through its exceptional energy savings, excellent environmental performance, and payback within a few months – a best-practice example of industrial energy efficiency.

The environmentally and economically optimized LED lighting solution strengthens EnBW’s competitiveness while sending a clear signal for climate protection, CO₂ reduction, and circular economy.