RSE - RHENAC Stadium Grass Grow Lighting solution showcased at 1. FC Köln
During the FSB trade show earlier this month in Cologne, RSE-RHENAC gave a dedicated delegation the chance to participate in an experience tour of FC Köln’s Franz-Kremer-Stadium where they showcased the RSE-RHENAC Stadium Grass Grow Lighting solution at Geissbockheim of 1. FC Köln.
The expert guides for the morning Tour were Mr. Carsten Wenske, together with Mr. Arnoud Fiolet and Mr. Tom Mathys from RSE-RHENAC, alongside Mr. Jürgen Zielonka, Head Groundsman of Geissbockheim including the Franz-Kremer-Stadion.
The RSE - RHENAC Stadium Grass Grow Lighting system manages to align the technical advantages of LED technology with the essential requirements for healthy grass growth. Light plays a different role in every stage of the lifecycle. First, it has to help the seed germinate, then, once the grass starts to grow, it requires continuous photosynthesis to ensure a strong, firm blade. On the other hand, the roots need to be able to settle firmly into the soil to deliver a dense and solid carpet. Most importantly, this whole process needs to happen in the shortest period possible, thereby ensuring a pristine pitch. Furthermore, LED technology is known for consuming only a fraction of the energy conventional sodium vapour luminaires require when attributing to the growth of natural products like grasses.
“Maintaining a quality training pitch is very important to us and has been an ongoing, continuous problem. However, the new LEDs have allowed us to take a giant leap in this regard and deliver a top quality, healthy pitch.”
Jürgen Zielonka, Head Groundsman of Geissbockheim including the 1. FC Köln Franz-Kremer-Stadion
Delivering the full spectrum
A LED luminaire is made up of many different LED’s that each can be directed and powered individually. They also produce a wide colour rendering scope, allowing the system to be more flexible and more intense, delivering a tailored solution when it comes to the very specific growing requirements of each pitch. The red LED’s ensure a healthy grass growth while the blue LED’s deliver grass density. In addition, for stadiums experiencing colder climates, it is possible to have heat lamps integrated.
"The system can be monitored and changed in real-time via the online dashboard. Being digital, groundsmen can follow events on-site – detecting changes in temperature and climate – and even change the program from their iPads accordingly.”
In regards to physically moving the units, they can be moved in straight lines, thus ensuring minimum stress on the grass plants.
Comprehensive R&D
The RSE - RHENAC Stadium Grass Grow Lighting system has been extensively researched over the past three years with the Bio centre of the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, being one of the partners.
Cost-savings abound
The system contributes both to the environment and to the bottom line, as it delivers a significant reduction in energy requirements, meaning cost-savings for the users, and as the light is directed exclusively on the ground, it does not affect the surrounding flora and fauna.
Furthermore, most modern stadiums suffer from the same issue; the shadows caused by the roofing structures. This, in combination with humidity, means the grass plants are more vulnerable to fungus and algae infestations. RSE – RHENAC’s UVC lighting, which can be machine-mounted, diminishes the need for pesticides by eradicating the DNA of the fungus and algae in the grass blades, which delivers cost-savings and is better for the environment.
“We are employing the UVC lighting once a week and this is preventing new fungus and algae from growing. We now only need to use pesticides 3-4 times per year.”
Jürgen Zielonka, Head Groundsman of Geissbockheim including the Franz-Kremer-Stadion
This article is created on behalf of an ESSMA commercial partner. ESSMA is not liable for any inaccurate or incomplete information in this article.