05-05-2012, 01:42 PM
Intelligent street lighting
[attachment=21384]
INTRODUCTION
The 4.4 million streetlights in the US ten largest metropolitan statistical areas use an estimated 3 billion kWh of electricity annually, producing the equivalent of 2.3 million metric tons of CO2. If we could achieve a 50 percent reduction in power used, this amounts to a saving of 1.5 billion kWh or 1.1 million metric tons of CO2. (R. Grow white paper 23-03-08)
Times are changing for municipal lighting management, with greater public scrutiny. The key drivers for change are:
Economic
Against a backdrop of global economic slowdown, funding is becoming limited. Streetlights are among a city’s most important and expensive assets, typically accounting for a third of its electricity bill. With energy prices increasing, this is driving the demand for energy-conserving technologies for municipal lighting. Maintenance costs are also increasing, with huge numbers of lamps nearing the end of their serviceable life.
Environmental
The Kyoto Protocol compels signatory states to implement rigorous energy conservation programs. This, in turn, puts pressure on municipal bodies to reduce their CO2 emissions. In addition, ecologically minded governments are responding to the reports of light pollution adversely affecting the nocturnal natural environment.
Reduced energy costs
No city can simply switch off its lights at night, so other measures are called for. Not every street and road requires full illumination all the time. Therefore, depending on the site and situation, a frequently feasible option is to dim lights, thereby striking a balance between economical goals and citizens’ safety needs. Dimming lights by up to 50 percent is generally imperceptible to the human eye and can show a 40 percent reduction in power use. Typically, lights would be dimmed during non-peak activity times between 11pm and 5am.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
With the energy savings comes a corresponding reduction in your community's CO2 footprint. Each saving of 1500 kWh reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 1 ton for mixed power generation.
Reduced maintenance costs
By automatically monitoring the mortality curve of each lamp fixture in a streetlight network, you can accurately predict lamp failures before they occur. This enables you to develop more efficient and cost-effective maintenance scheduling. Also, by intelligent control of the lamp, you can optimise the life-span.
Higher community satisfaction
With an intelligent streetlight system in place, you will be able to significantly improve the performance, efficiency and reliability of the street lighting in your community. No longer do you need to rely on public complaints and visual inspections after sunset to monitor streetlight function and safety. Through its energy and maintenance reduction capabilities, you will also be able to free up a large allocation of public funds that could then contribute towards other community programs.
Fast payback
Intelligent streetlight systems are very cost-effective, with a typical payback period within five years. By first replacing the oldest lamps that have the most inefficient technology, this period can be shortened still further.
Information
Information is an increasingly valuable asset. If you can capture data on ambient temperature, moisture, visibility, light intensity, rain and traffic density, you can further lower energy costs and roll out new services for your customers. These innovative applications can add further value to your intelligent lighting system.
[attachment=21384]
INTRODUCTION
The 4.4 million streetlights in the US ten largest metropolitan statistical areas use an estimated 3 billion kWh of electricity annually, producing the equivalent of 2.3 million metric tons of CO2. If we could achieve a 50 percent reduction in power used, this amounts to a saving of 1.5 billion kWh or 1.1 million metric tons of CO2. (R. Grow white paper 23-03-08)
Times are changing for municipal lighting management, with greater public scrutiny. The key drivers for change are:
Economic
Against a backdrop of global economic slowdown, funding is becoming limited. Streetlights are among a city’s most important and expensive assets, typically accounting for a third of its electricity bill. With energy prices increasing, this is driving the demand for energy-conserving technologies for municipal lighting. Maintenance costs are also increasing, with huge numbers of lamps nearing the end of their serviceable life.
Environmental
The Kyoto Protocol compels signatory states to implement rigorous energy conservation programs. This, in turn, puts pressure on municipal bodies to reduce their CO2 emissions. In addition, ecologically minded governments are responding to the reports of light pollution adversely affecting the nocturnal natural environment.
Reduced energy costs
No city can simply switch off its lights at night, so other measures are called for. Not every street and road requires full illumination all the time. Therefore, depending on the site and situation, a frequently feasible option is to dim lights, thereby striking a balance between economical goals and citizens’ safety needs. Dimming lights by up to 50 percent is generally imperceptible to the human eye and can show a 40 percent reduction in power use. Typically, lights would be dimmed during non-peak activity times between 11pm and 5am.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
With the energy savings comes a corresponding reduction in your community's CO2 footprint. Each saving of 1500 kWh reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 1 ton for mixed power generation.
Reduced maintenance costs
By automatically monitoring the mortality curve of each lamp fixture in a streetlight network, you can accurately predict lamp failures before they occur. This enables you to develop more efficient and cost-effective maintenance scheduling. Also, by intelligent control of the lamp, you can optimise the life-span.
Higher community satisfaction
With an intelligent streetlight system in place, you will be able to significantly improve the performance, efficiency and reliability of the street lighting in your community. No longer do you need to rely on public complaints and visual inspections after sunset to monitor streetlight function and safety. Through its energy and maintenance reduction capabilities, you will also be able to free up a large allocation of public funds that could then contribute towards other community programs.
Fast payback
Intelligent streetlight systems are very cost-effective, with a typical payback period within five years. By first replacing the oldest lamps that have the most inefficient technology, this period can be shortened still further.
Information
Information is an increasingly valuable asset. If you can capture data on ambient temperature, moisture, visibility, light intensity, rain and traffic density, you can further lower energy costs and roll out new services for your customers. These innovative applications can add further value to your intelligent lighting system.