StreetLightNews

By proposing to remove 200 streetlights throughout the community, the Street Light Committee of Kennebunk, Maine, expects to save $20,000 annually.This proposal has spurred a great deal of discussion amongt local citizens, who believe that public safety is being compromised. (Source: seacoastonline.com).Many other communities have faced hikes in electricity rates without having to actually turn off the lights. Replacing old fixtures or even installing a more advanced, central control solution, would pay for itself over a relatively small period of time.Surprisingly, many streetlight committees seem to have very short horizons. Instead of working on a permanent solution that cuts costs, they often choose the short-sighted way.

The council of Powys, Wales wanted to save money and reduce CO2 emissions - therefore, they decided to switch off two thirds of its street lights. However, this move has led to a number of unfortunate incidents involving residents injuring themselves in the dark streets throughout Powys.

Some elderly residents said they had fallen and injured themselves in the dark and hundreds of others complained that they feel like prisoners in their own homes. One resident suffered a black eye, facial bruising and injured her knee when she fell outside her home, after six street lights were turned off in the residential area.

Some areas are left open to vandalism and theft, after three cars were stolen on the actual night of the switch-off in the autumn of 2008.

Regarding traffic safety, the conditions have also worsened. One of the councillors explains that a light was turned off above a pedestrian crossing where children were waiting to cross but drivers couldn’t see them. “I stopped my car so that I could signal and warn other approaching motorists,” John Brautigam comments.

The news are alarming, and one wonders if the council of Powys has been considering dimming solutions as an alternative to switching off two thirds of the street lights. Dimming can generate savings of about 25 percent, which is already documented previously on this blog.

City officials hope to secure significant long-term savings and public safety with the deployment of new energy-efficient street lights. First step is the installation of 50 LED (light-emitting diode) street lights in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighbourhood. Compared to traditional high-pressure sodium light bulbs, LED street lights are about 50 percent more energy-efficient, meaning that they last about two to three times longer and produce a whiter, brighter light which benefits the public safety.

Other than implementing LED lights, the city of San Francisco also demonstrated new smart street light control technologies at a local media event. Smart control technologies can contribute another 20 percent of energy efficiency improvement in addition to the LED lights, the article states.

The new technology can help reduce maintenance costs by allowing the operators to monitor individual street light perfomance, adjust the light intensity level and receive immediate information when lights have failed or are about to fail.

The street lights of San Francisco are owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Company and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, respectively. Both organisations are now working together on testing and evaluating different smart control technologies to better the energy efficiency in San Francisco.

Companies also offering smart control technologies are Power-One, Amplex and Streetlight Intelligence to mention a few.

Throughout the UK, recently there has been a great deal of examples of city councils deciding to turn street lights off in order to cut bills and reduce carbon emissions. However, this move is often criticised by many residents as the safety of people and their property is reduced.

In the light of these moves, it is liberating to read about cities that are proactive in terms of generating energy savings by applying the technology at hand offered by a number of companies  - some of them previously listed on this site.

In Argus, South Wales, three villages have been chosen to pilot a street lighting scheme, which is remotely controlled by the local authority from County Hall in Cwmbran. The scheme uses mobile phone technology and allows County Hall to turn the lights on and off as well as the lights can be dimmed.

Roger Hoggins, the council’s head of operations, is excited about the pilot: “A street light outside a pub could be programmed to stay on until midnight, or dimmed on a residential estate during the night. It gives us a level of flexibility,” he explains. The pilot is expected to generate savings of about $ 80,000 USD on a yearly basis.

In North East Wales, the lights fitted in two Flintshire roads provide a white light and are designed to minimise upward light pollution. The lights are more expensive than the ones they have replaced but are said to have a relatively quick payback due to the energy savings. Flintshire council wants to hear people’s thoughts on the new lights.

The council’s executive member for environment, Tony Sharps, argues that this new system is far better than switching off street lights thus jeopardising people’s safety. Other trial sites are planned this year.

In the German village of Doerentrup, a local engineer has come up with an idea for on-demand street lighting. As a result of rising energy prices, the local authorities have agreed to turn off the street lights at 9 pm to save on electricity and CO2 emissions. But that does not mean that the residents of Doerentrup are left to walk the streets unsafely in complete darkness.

Now, it is possible to turn on the street lights in specific areas at any time. The residents simply have to register on-line, then dial a central number, punch in the specific code for the street(s) they are about to walk, and the lights turn on instantly. As a resident, you only pay for the phone call, and the authorities pay for the electricity.

As Discovery News also reports, this solution is of course easier to implement in small villages. In Doerentrup, the authorities report that the idea has generated savings of about 25 %. For a video presentation, click here.

The New York Times reports that a number of cities have turned off or are planning to turn off a number of their street lights in order to save on the electricity bill because of high energy prices and tight budgets. It is alarming news when considering the safety of the respective citizens.

Further, the NY Times writes that the city of Santa Rosa, California has come up with the idea of adopting a light. The adopt-a-light programme gives the local citizens the opportunity to contribute to the Public Works Department. For $150, you can turn a darkened street light back on.

However, the article does not suggest street light dimming although many municipalities and cities around the world has benefitted from dimming, reporting savings of up to 25-40 %. Further, if the street light solution features fault detection, the operator will be much better equipped in terms of coordinating maintenance, thus saving time and money. All in all, dimming seems a brilliant alternative to darkening the streets.

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.

BBC News is reporting that more than 15,000 street light columns, or over 85% of the stock, will be replaced in Redcar and Cleveland, UK. The existing columns have passed their 25-year life expectancy, and another 2,500 street lights will be added over the next few years in order to raise the standard of the cities’ public lighting. It has been established that the distance between the existing lights is too large, so the additional 2,500 street lights will ensure better lid roads and improve safety for both motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

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…

In Hanoi, Vietnam, the street light installations are outdated and not very energy efficient. Also, many of the poles are placed in the center of the road where they do not do pedestrians much good.
Therefore, the plan is to change 1,000 11-meter concrete poles with 9-meter aluminum ones. Furthermore, almost 2,000 bulbs will be replaced with energy-efficient bulbs (LEDs?). If the plan is approved, the lights will be changed by 2010 for the city’s 1,000-year anniversary. Read the article…