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Karmøy Tunnel, Norway

  • Karmøy Tunnel, Norway
  • Karmøy Tunnel, Norway
  • Karmøy Tunnel, Norway
  • Karmøy Tunnel, Norway
  • Karmøy Tunnel, Norway
  • Lamp efficacy

    Lamp efficacy

    Ensuring the lamp efficiently converts electricity into light (lm/W).

  • Ballast classification

    Ballast classification

    Controlling the electricity supply to the lamp (Energy Efficiency Index).

  • Luminaire distribution

    Luminaire distribution

    The use of a mix of distributions, each optimised for a specific task, ensures all relevant target areas are correctly lit with minimum waste light. In turn, this ensures energy is converted into useful light.

  • System efficacy

    System efficacy

    To provide high system efficacy, the chosen luminaires are designed to use light sources with a high efficacy combined with precision optics.

  • Presence/absence detection

    Presence/absence detection

    Providing lighting only when it’s needed.

  • Daylight detection

    Daylight detection

    Reducing waste light during daylight hours.

  • Constant illuminance

    Constant illuminance

    Producing the correct lighting levels for the duration of the maintenance period.

  • Task-scene setting

    Task-scene setting

    Allowing the user to set scenes and adapt the lighting to different tasks.

  • Timed off

    Timed off

    Automatic cut-off to turn all lights off during unoccupied hours.

  • Task lighting

    Task lighting

    Lighting task areas with the correct amount of light.

  • Zoning of lighting

    Zoning of lighting

    Zoning lighting in accordance to occupancy patterns or window location.

  • Maintenance schedule

    Maintenance schedule

    The use of luminaires specifically designed for the harsh environment minimise light loss through deterioration of the luminaire, reducing the need for excessive overlighting to account for light loss through life.

  • Waste light

    Waste light

    Eliminating waste light which does not hit the intended target.

  • Reflectance

    Reflectance

    Taking advantage of light which is reflected from the surface within the space.

  • Visible smart metering

    Visible smart metering

    Enabling results of actions to be quickly seen as increased or decreased energy use to encourage responsible energy consumption.

Gotthard fittings bring the deep blue sea to Norway's T-Link

The new T-Link is a road project constructed in Rogaland, Norway. It consists of the 8.9km Karmøy Tunnel which connects the island of Karmøy with European Route E39 in Tysvær, and a 9.8km road section which heads north from a roundabout in the tunnel to Haugesund. The roundabout is 60m under sea level and the tunnel itself is one of the longest undersea tunnels in Europe.

The installation of the tunnels' electrical systems, including lighting, was managed by returning Thorn customer, Traffic Solutions AS. For this project, Thorn delivered 3000 Gotthard luminaires, including fluorescent fittings, high pressure sodium fittings with counterbeam optics and wall mounted emergency fittings.

At its deepest, the main Karmøy tunnel is 139m below sea level and as well as having a high traffic volume, it is highly corrosive. Gotthard's stainless steel fittings were therefore ideal for providing the required level of durability while maintaining uniform lighting throughout.

Lighting for beauty and safety

The roundabout at the heart of the tunnel is fitted with special 58W lamps emitting a beautiful blue light. In addition to creating a decorative effect that mimics the deep blue sea, the blue light acts as an important safety measure to notify a change in driving pattern.

Elsewhere, more than 200 Civic road lanterns, installed by Kvinnherad Elektro, illuminate part of the adjacent road towards Haugesund. The aluminium bodied, IP66 rated Civic luminaire has separate lamp and gear components for optimised thermal and sealing management. In turn, this extends the operating lifetime. Civic also has special vandal resistant features to protect against impacts and tampering.

Aside from the high performance luminaires, key to the success of this project was the luminaires' ease of installation and the reduced installation time enabled by on-time delivery. In particular, because there was no space to offload the luminaires with normal pallet transport, they were dispatched in two rounds in seven pre-loaded 20 and 40 foot containers to three different site locations. This was vital for efficiency.

Robert Eksund, Managing Director of Traffic Solutions AS says: "For many of our major projects, Thorn has been the main supplier of lighting products. The T-Link project was no exception. Our decision to use Thorn once again was not difficult as we had worked with Thorn over many years and knew the high quality of its tunnel products and the high competence of its staff. With the complexity of this project, we knew we could trust Thorn to provide what we needed, when we needed it, and at the right price of course."

Key Facts

  • One of the longest undersea tunnels in Europe
  • Highly corrosive environment, 139m below sea level at its deepest
  • Special 58W lamps emit a beautiful blue light