Public lighting has taken a major evolutionary step thanks to new technologies. Notably, advances such as remote management of public lighting and the integration of IoT systems have been decisive in the transformation of urban areas into Smart Cities.
At the end of the day, point-to-point remote management actually represents the digitization of public lighting services. One of the main reasons for implementing it is that lighting services can be, in fact, upgraded.
This upgrade is a result of aspects like energy efficiency and its corresponding money savings – which is also related to greater adaptability.
The last concept is key, as lighting services can be adapted to the users’ needs, which might actually change as months or even years pass by.
It is worth mentioning that, in some cases, this kind of lighting can allow for consumption savings between 60-80% as compared with earlier alternatives. Apart from that, this technology is more durable, sustainable and offers greater lighting capacity.
Public lighting in general and LED lighting in particular have implemented technological innovations such as remote management, and their benefits can only increase exponentially.
Next, we will break down some of the advantages of managing public lighting remotely and you will realize why they are catching on in cities across the globe.
Advantages of managing public lighting remotely
Remote monitoring of public lighting proves to be beneficial in terms of efficiency of light management in a city and, what’s more, it leads to a considerable improvement in people’s quality of life.
Some specific benefits that can be highlighted about this technology are:
Reduction in energy consumption
By combining a remote-management system designed for public lighting with installations featuring LED luminaires, you can reduce substantially the energy consumption required to provide the appropriate light according to the needs of each city.
One of the latest major projects completed by Televes last June was the installation of new LED lighting along the Luís I Bridge in Porto (Portugal). It is a true architectonic icon by engineer Théophile Seyrig, which is an attraction for thousands of tourists every year.
The new LED-based ornamental luminaires will drive enhanced visibility of the bridge and will also ensure savings in energy consumption by 60%. In addition, they will last longer, as they offer a lifespan of up to 100 000 hours.
Remote-management systems can render this technology even more efficient. For instance, their performance is based on the collection of information on the use of the luminaires on the street. Their consumption can be, thus, optimized by scheduling its operation or by establishing protocols adapted to the conditions of each area.
Enhanced maintenance: greater durability and power-cut forecasting
If public lighting is monitored, its durability will increase considerably, resulting in less maintenance and greater reliability of the system.
Optimized maintenance is, in fact, another asset, as such monitoring helps to early detect malfunction – in some cases even before the alarm is generated. Users will be informed about the exact spot where the event or potential malfunction has arisen, which opens the door to better performance ratios and response times.
These benefits will be shortly boosted through Big Data analysis. Luminaires that are likely to malfunction might be even identified, so the corresponding preventive replacement can be performed.
One should not ignore the additional advantages this can bring: safer streets, greater quality of life of the citizens, lower maintenance costs, etc.
Very flexible system
Remote management of lighting systems also stands out for its great flexibility, given that it can be applicable to several environments. It is also scalable, so they can expand just as the municipality featuring this technology does.
The flexibility of this system is one of its strong points, as it represents an investment that can always be used to establish a technological base in public lighting, which can gradually evolve as each city council needs it.
As a matter of fact, investment is increasing in private environments and even the industry sector very much welcomes all the benefits it brings.
Real-time monitoring
One of the advantages of such technology being applied to a remote-management system for public lighting is that every element can be monitored in real time.
In doing so, consumption of every lighting system and its proper performance can be managed. Along with these features, any abnormal behavior can be detected instantly.
Money savings
All these advantages together bring forth noticeable money savings. Remote-management systems reduce energy consumption, require less maintenance and have longer lifespan, which in the end shows in public budgets.
Even more so when there is research proving that 60% of the total energy consumption of cities is related to lighting and that public lighting accounts for 50% of its total in some cases. Being able to regulate and minimize such consumption is an important advantage that any public administration can benefit from.
Greater safety
This system is so reliable that public areas will be always properly lit and have greater visibility – which is an aspect that makes citizens feel safer in any situation and which helps them be more satisfied with the area they work or live in.
European lighting fairs and lighting advances
The benefits and progress experienced by remote management of public lighting, LED lighting and every other lighting trend are such that some shows are being organized in Europe to attract exhibitors and visitors from across the continent with the aim of showing the greatest innovations in this area.
Light + Building 2024 – which will be held in Frankfurt (Germany) from the 3rd to the 8th of March – is one of those essential dates.
We, Televes Corporation, will be actively participating with our own stand. We will be presenting all of our new products for remote management of public lighting, among many other services.
In this fair, both lighting and service technology – mainly focused on light and energy management in buildings – are the main actors.
Around 2 000 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation. Energy management – applied to installations in buildings that aim at providing them with greater efficiency, safety and comfort – is expected to be the prevailing technology.
Apart from home and architecture, advantages of the new upgrades in lighting will be presented. Through a series of conferences, debates and guided visits, visitors may see the qualities of these technologies and try their advantages.
At IFEMA (short for Fair Institution of Madrid), another must-visit event for the lighting industry will take place: the International Trade Fair for the Electrical and Electronics Industry Matelec, which will be held in the capital city from the 5th to the 8th of November.
This is the leading international fair for the electrical, electronics and telecommunications industry; the most important event of the industry in southern Europe.
Given the technological progress in this industry, Matelec Lighting has been conceived as an event specializing in lighting where the digital transformation we are now experiencing is discussed in depth, always having sustainability, innovation and technology in sight.
This event is also recommended to all the professionals and people interested in learning about the upgrades in lighting that will be implemented in urban and private projects in the years to come.
There is an increasing number of events that have to do with professional lighting, public lighting and all the new products of these industries.
The CEI (short for Spanish Lighting Committee) organizes and takes part in different dates, speeches, fairs and seminars that attract the most remarkable companies of each field.
Urban Solutions is another noteworthy symposium that will be celebrated from the 4th to the 6th of October in Santiago de Compostela, offering diverse sessions and speeches.
Televes Corporation will be even leading one of them: “Verified environmental product declaration for an EPD luminaire”. Diego Viana Soto, manager of business development for the northern/northwestern areas, will be the speaker.
Managing public lighting remotely
Remote management of public lighting is already implemented in many town-planning projects – be it early Smart City models or municipalities that just intend to make the most of its advantages.
Thanks to this system, additional features brought by remote management have proven to be beneficial, so other cities are encouraged to install them:
- Automatic operation without a timer: an important breakthrough in public lighting allowing for automated on/off control of the luminaire in an intelligent way and according to the visibility conditions of each area.
- Pinpointing events – e.g. a luminaire won’t turn on: alarms, notifications and signals on the screen to identify any abnormal performance or malfunction instantly or even to be ahead of them thanks to efficiency and performance measurements.
- Remote readings: integrating devices such as cell phones has been revolutionary, as it allows for the monitoring of those systems anytime, anywhere.
- Adjustment through movement sensors and photosensitivity devices: compatibility with other technological advances increases the potential benefits of street lighting, improving quality of service and saving on energy costs.
Managing public lighting remotely is a consolidated upgrade that is still evolving, which is more and better implemented in all kinds of municipalities. Televes Corporation maintains its continuous investment in this technology to promote the industry’s development and to keep improving efficiency in these services.
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