Intelligent lighting for smart cities
According to Navigant Research, annual smart lighting spending will exceed 7 billion euros by 2027 across the world. In fact, this advanced technology, which uses linked sensors, cameras or nodes to efficiently manage lighting, is quickly becoming widespread.
This article addresses...
- HOW CONNECTED PUBLIC LIGHTING WORKS
- REAL TIME CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF LIGHTING
- REMOTE MANAGEMENT WITH SENET
- THE BENEFITS OF INTELLIGENT LIGHTING
- SUCCESSFUL CASES
How connected public lighting works
The ability to monitor and manage different parts of a city to improve quality of life also has a place in public lighting systems. Urban lighting is typically managed from a centralised electrical panel, which only allows for a few basic remote functions. This is somewhat limited, given the advantages that intelligent lighting offers.
Real time control and management of lighting
One of the great advantages of intelligent lighting is its management system, which integrates driver monitoring and control capabilities for LED lights. The data generated are hugely valuable and feed into efficient management of urban lighting.
The technology can generate real time programmable profiles based on each specific location to adapt lighting to the immediate surroundings and optimise energy use. Lighting installations can undergo preventive maintenance, and diagnostics and testing can help to coordinate alarms and incidents.
Lighting is monitored using software with various modules and applications that facilitate strict control of numerous parameters, while geolocation enables lights to be grouped by position.
Remote management with SENET
SENET’s innovative technology enables total independent control over each lighting point. The software works via sensors, meaning no major installation works are required.
SENET works with public lighting in built-up areas, squares, parks or tunnels, not to mention shopping centres, leisure facilities and others, and adapts to the unique characteristics of each case. This is supported by a sensor-based remote management system complete with smart systems and motion detectors.
The benefits of intelligent lighting
Lighting control systems are an extremely practical and simple solution which help customise any artificial lighting installation. Such systems bring huge benefits to buildings and, of course, to cities. Here are some of the most significant ones:
Remote real time control
Remote management constitutes one of the main benefits of this advanced energy management approach, facilitating real time monitoring of energy use and lighting across a city. What’s more, extra lighting can be added for special events and lighting can even be reduced, e.g. during a curfew.
Exploiting natural light
Another big advantage is that sensors enable better use of natural light by detecting the amount of existing light and adapting artificial lighting to suit.
Financial savings
One of the biggest boons of this type of smart lighting are the economic benefits. Energy is only used when needed and when there is actually demand. Consumption is significantly curtailed with no noticeable impact on quality.
Longer useful life of bulbs and lamps
By reducing lighting use to necessary times only, the useful life of LEDs and other lights becomes considerably longer, which in turn brings financial savings and generates less waste.
Protecting the environment
Exploiting natural light and saving energy both contribute to protecting the environment and the planet as a whole. Lower energy use results in a considerably smaller carbon footprint.
Successful cases
By incorporating all parts of the manufacturing process, SECOM’s systems facilitate the utmost control over lighting. Latest-generation LEDs mean systems can be perfectly adapted to the needs of each project. Light is always directed towards where it is needed. Cities are lit, and people can move around comfortably and safely while enjoying a better quality of life.
The company has successfully developed remote management projects in Murcia, the port of Ceuta and the inland seaport of Seville. By using technology to improve users’ quality of life and boost efficiency in key urban development zones, city growth and sustainability go hand in hand. LED lighting and remote control in large urban areas are clear examples of the drive for innovation and increased efficiency. Adjusting the lighting level in each square metre increases lighting quality and saves money and energy.
Lighting is undoubtedly a huge spending area in any location. In that sense, smart lighting reduces consumption by up to 50% thanks to the drivers that enable remote control.
Smart cities are a step forward in improving people’s quality of life. Remote control of such an important public service as lighting is part of this future.
