ZARM goes green

On March 23rd 2013, the University of Bremen will participate in the worldwide event “Earth Hour” by deactivating the external lighting of the ZARM Drop Tower between 20:30 and 21:30. This occasion is a golden opportunity for the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) to demonstrate that their commitment to climate protection goes beyond taking part in symbolic acts. ZARM Director Prof. Claus Lämmerzahl was able to convince the University of Bremen to alter the daily lighting scheme of the Drop Tower. From now on, the Drop Tower will no longer be illuminated for the hours between midnight and 5 a.m.

“We love the beautiful sight of our illuminated Drop Tower in the evening hours and certainly don’t want to miss it altogether. However, in the middle of the night the university campus is practically empty and the traffic of the nearby motorway has diminished distinctively. Considering that we save the daily energy consumption of an average three-person household for each hour that the illumination is turned off, it was not a difficult decision,” says Claus Lämmerzahl.

The light system requires a minimal upgrade to incorporate a time switch, but the initial investment will pay off quickly due to the reduced power consumption. The University of Bremen expects the new system to begin operation within the next weeks.

Contact:

Birgit Kinkeldey
Corporate Communication
ZARM Drop Tower Operation and Service Company
Tel. +49 421 218-57755
birgit.kinkeldey@zarm.uni-bremen.de