The Challenge: Lighting the Way to Efficiency
For Alaska Airlines, sustainability isn’t just a headline, it’s a commitment that touches every corner of their operations. But as their facilities aged, their lighting systems struggled to keep up with modern standards.
The airline faced three key challenges:
High maintenance costs from outdated fixtures that needed frequent repairs and replacements.
Inconsistent lighting levels across workspaces, which impacted both energy use and employee safety.
Lack of control and adaptability, meaning their lighting couldn’t respond dynamically to daylight or occupancy, leading to wasted energy and unnecessary expense.
And as if that wasn’t enough, this particular project came with a unique twist: it took place in one of Alaska Airlines’ busiest, most active hangars, a space where aircraft were constantly moving, and mechanics were working around the clock.
With operations that couldn’t slow down, PEC had to deliver a seamless upgrade – safely, efficiently, and without disruption to Alaska’s critical maintenance schedules.
Some of the challenges we faced on this project were working in a very active facility. Of all the projects we’ve done for Alaska, this was probably the busiest, a hangar with aircraft coming and going, mechanics on site, and our team navigating that space to get the job done.
Smarter Systems, Brighter Future
This project was designed with two primary goals: reduce maintenance costs and improve lighting quality to create a safer, more efficient workspace.
PEC implemented an intelligent lighting system that continuously adapts to changing light conditions, balancing illumination levels across the facility in real-time. The result? The perfect amount of light, at the lowest possible energy use, every hour of every day.
And because long-term reliability was a must, PEC specified durable, high-performance fixtures from trusted manufacturers, ensuring consistent performance and longevity.
As PEC put it, “The last thing Alaska wants is a system that shines bright on day one but fades fast.” By choosing reliable technology, PEC helped Alaska avoid premature failures and future-proof their investment for decades to come.
This facility is an amazing use of new technology and smart fixtures that actually understand how much light is in the building.
Proven Results That Last
Pacific Energy Concepts’ partnership with Alaska Airlines continues to deliver powerful, measurable outcomes.
Energy Savings: 3.5 million kWh annually (a 72% reduction)
Cost Savings: $345,971 per year, plus $38,584 in maintenance reductions
Incentives Earned: $755,676
Environmental Impact: 2,165 tons of CO₂ eliminated – equal to 293,861 gallons of fuel or 653 acres of trees planted
These upgrades have already saved Alaska Airlines over $1 million, with projected lifetime savings exceeding $6 million. More importantly, the systems are built for long-term reliability, ensuring that sustainability and performance remain in perfect balance for years to come.
Sustainability in Action
For Alaska Airlines, sustainability is more than an initiative, it’s part of their DNA.
Through innovation, collaboration, and a decade-long partnership, PEC and Alaska Airlines are proving that smart energy systems can make a meaningful difference; one facility, one watt, one flight at a time.
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