Sustainably-Powered Cinemas In order to address sustainability as a priority, the movie-going public are expecting more and more action when it comes to matters of the environment. For theatres keen to go green and operate with a smaller carbon footprint, there are plenty of options to explore. Cinemas can look to tap into renewable energy sources - wind, wave, geothermal; whatever is most readily available. Solar, a global network of sustainably powered mobile cinemas, is a great example of what’s possible when climate considerations are put first. During the day, the theatre’s huge photovoltaic panels capture solar ©Stef. Guiochon
energy and when the sun sets, that power is used to run every piece of the cinema’s equipment: screens, sound systems, projectors, and lighting. Impressive stuff.
UGC Ciné Cité Lyon - Part Dieu
Soon, moviegoers at UGC Ciné Cité Bassins à Flot (Bordeaux), UGC Ciné Cité Lyon Part Dieu, UGC Montaudran
While laser projection equipment has been available for
(Toulouse) and UGC Plaisir will be viewing a 4K picture,
years, issues around feasibility and investment costs have
unsurpassed in clarity, colour, and brightness, happy in the
kept it on the fringes of the cinema industry. But more
knowledge that climate goals are simultaneously being taken
and more theatre operators are now switching from
seriously.
traditional Xenon lamp projectors to laser-based systems.
UGC’s 47 new projectors will be RB laser systems. These feature blue and red laser diodes, and combine the benefits of
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of reasons. Firstly, laser projectors are far more energy efficient
large-sized screens. RB laser projectors, such as the NEC
than their lamp-based predecessors, using significantly
NC3541L, are known for their versatility: with no exhaust
less electricity when casting an image on screen. The
system, they work just as well on the floor as they do on a
reason for this is two-fold: laser diodes convert current to
ceiling mount. Likewise, with built-in cooling, there’s no need
light more effectively, and the light generated is better
for a costly external HVAC unit, while advanced dust protection
directed and easier to capture. What really matters,
keeps the optical engine and light source speckle-free.
however, is the power consumption - the less power used,
The NEC NC2402ML, another RB system, takes this
the less power that needs to be generated, and fewer
flexibility to the next level with a modular laser light system,
emissions are produced, also meaning a smaller energy bill
which allows different light modules to be used based on the
every month.
Mr. Éric Le Cadre Commercial Director, ADDE
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This is good news on the sustainability front for a number
a wide colour space and bright image output for mid- and
required brightness.
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Why the Fuss About Laser?
Secondly, laser systems generate considerably less
Mr. Laurent Rieupeyrout Image & Sound, Technical Director, UGC
“We are very proud of this achievement and
“UGC has been using NEC projectors for 12 years. We are fully satisfied with
of the trust that UGC has placed in our
the RB laser technology, and not just because we’re keen to reduce our
company to provide and install projection,
carbon footprint. RB models coming to the market now are perfectly
sound and digital signage equipment for
timed for this purpose. They bring together not only the best standards in
their new Part Dieu site. It was also a special
light and color but also allow us to reduce our energy costs. UGC partners
project for us because it is the first UGC
ADDE and CDS were best suited for the installation of this NEC technology
cinema to be fully equipped with our Cinema
in UGC Theaters. A big thank you to both these companies who, in this
Darkside speaker range, too.”
very chaotic period, greatly supported our four site installations in 2021.”
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