StreetLightNews

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy initiated by the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO to help the people of the world rediscover their place in the universe through the day- and night-time sky.

The International Dark Sky-Association (IDA) is promoting the global effort with various educating events and publications throughout 2009.  Check out the cool light pollution animations available from IDA’s webpage to help spreading the message that light pollution can be avoided. The animations can be downloaded for free, so you can help raising awareness of the need to reduce light pollution and to save energy.

Japanese company Sharp is now launching a solar-powered streetlight. Combining Sharp’s own solar modules and long-life, white LEDs, the Japanese company presents the environmentally friendly streetlight solution of the 21st century. The unit delivers brightness at the highest level; still the unit does not produce any light pollution, uses no mercury, and emits no ultraviolet light.

Storage batteries charge from sunlight during the day and shines automatically at night. The level of maintenance is minimal as Sharp’s solution only requires replacement once every 10 years.

One of the extra benefits that especially cities in earthquake zones will enjoy is the built-in seismic motion sensor. This feature enables the unit to detect any earthquake measuring five or higher on the Japanese Seismic Intensity Scale. When detected, the unit will turn on full brightness at nighttime hours for at least two days.

Initially, the solution will be available on the Japanese market. In Europe, the European Union applaudes companies who commit to the reudction of light pollution. Thus, the EU GreenLight Programme has been developed to involve public and private organisations in upgrading their lighting systems to reduce light pollution. Well-known B2C companies such as McDonald’s and Nike have been awarded partner status, while international operating B2B companies such as Amplex A/S and Reverberi Enetec are awarded the endorser status.

The town of Lac Megantic is home to Canada’s largest telescope. However, due to population growth and urban sprawl in the surrounding area, conducting research at the observatory was becoming increasingly difficult.
Therefore, an initiative to reduce the sky glow has led to installation of a number of dimming units in streetlight poles. During the hours of 10 pm and 6 am, the streetlight is reduced by up to 65%, saving as much as 50% energy.
The solution, Night-Saver, is controlled via a microchip and is installed in individual poles. Read more about the project in Canada here…

There seems to be a trend towards energy savings being used as branding for American cities. More and more are implementing solutions that lower energy consumption, and then use this in their marketing strategy. Whatever works!
In Yakima, Washington, LEDs are replacing both traffic signal lamps and traditional 200 Watt HPS lamps. Initial results show savings of over 50%. The 100 Watt LEDs provide ultra-white lights with good color rendering. Also, the new lamps lowers light polution and has a 15-year product life. Read the full article on SmartMoney.com.
As described in a previous entry, similar projects are under way, e.g. in Ann Arbor where they are planning on becoming the first American city to convert 100% of their street light to LEDs. See more here…

GE has recently decided to cease manufacturing of the relatively inefficient Low Pressure Sodium lamps. This follows a general market trend with a shift towards the newer HID technology with e.g. High Pressure Sodium lamps. These have a better color rendition and whiter output, which is believed to prevent accidents, improve reaction times and reduce crime. Furthermore, the lamps are more efficient, enabling fewer lights, less maintenance and compliance with dark skies recommendations. Read the full article at the Institution of Lighting Engineeers’ website…

Replacing standard street light with new high output LEDs will save 50% energy and they will last more than 10 years. They are maintenance-free, contain no hazardous material such as gases or mercury, and they are dark sky compliant, meaning that their light is focused on the area where it is needed, and not wasted into the night sky.
At the upcoming American Public Works Association event in San Antonio, September 9-12, these new LEDs will be showcased by the company inventing the new effective street light - IntenCity Ligthing.
The new high output LED uses only 75 watts, but produces 3200 lumens. See more here…

In a New Yorker article, David Owen describes how dark skies are increasingly difficult to find. He states that most Americans are unable to see the Milky Way where they live. Obviously, the stars have not become dimmer, but excess light increasingly prevents us from seing the entire beauty of the skies at night.
According to Bortle’s Dark-Sky Scale, invented by John E. Bortle in 2001, nighttime skies rated 1 are as dark as in Galileo’s time. At the other end of the scale is New York with a dark-sky rating of 9.
But there are several ways of avoiding, or at least minimizing, the light pollution from urbanized areas. Naturally, improved street lights are a big factor in reducing the excess light. Not only through retrofitting the luminaires and bulbs, but also by controlling that the lights are turned off and posibly dimmed at the most optimal times. For more information on centralized control and dimming, see e.g. www.amplex.dk or www.streetlight-vision.com.
To read an abstract of the New Yorker-article, click here…