Did you know HMS Queen Elizabeth's 27,000 lightbulbs save energy?

Sometimes it's the small, seemingly mundane details that can offer insights into broader industry trends and challenges. The 27,000 lightbulbs on the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK's largest and most powerful aircraft carrier opens the door to a larger conversation about energy efficiency and decarbonisation in the defence sector.

When HMS Queen Elizabeth was outfitted with 27,000 energy-efficient LED lightbulbs, it wasn’t just about lighting up the corridors. The switch not only reduced the energy consumption of lighting the ship but also significantly decreased the amount of heat generated by the lightbulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat, which increases the workload on the air conditioning system to maintain a comfortable temperature. By switching to LEDs, which emit much less heat, the ship was able to reduce the overall need for air conditioning, leading to a significant 12% reduction in energy use for cooling.

On a massive ship like the HMS Queen Elizabeth, these savings count. Each energy-saving measure reduces the ship’s overall demand for fuel, thereby decreasing its carbon footprint. So this seemingly small step contributes to the overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Decarbonising defence: a sector-wide effort

The European defence industry, responsible for approximately 1% of man-made GHG emissions, is actively working to mitigate its environmental impact. Efforts are being made across the board, from reducing emissions during manufacturing processes to implementing more sustainable operational practices.

One critical aspect of this initiative is the focus on the entire lifecycle of military products. Ships like the HMS Queen Elizabeth and aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon are designed to be in service for decades. Therefore, making them more energy-efficient and capable of running on sustainable fuels from the outset is crucial.

The 27,000 lightbulbs on HMS Queen Elizabeth symbolise a larger movement within the defence sector towards greater energy efficiency and sustainability. By making small yet impactful changes, and by embracing new technologies and collaborative efforts, the industry is striving to reduce its carbon footprint and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. 

So, the next time you hear about something as seemingly trivial as lightbulbs on a ship, remember that even the smallest details can light the way towards a brighter, more sustainable future.