Climate, energy and science
Lights go out when no-one's around
Green Ideas editorial team
We’re often reminded to save power by switching off lights as we leave the room, but the Dutch city of Eindhoven has gone a step further by putting parts of its lighting network on sensor control so that lamps power down when streets are empty.
The move has been made possible by a change to LED lights with wireless controls, and should mean a dramatic reduction in the city’s carbon footprint by cutting demand for fossil fuel-based electricity.
Under the new system lights remain at low levels to give a sense of security, and only power-up fully when cars or pedestrians approach. The computer-controlled network can even remember favourite routes of dog-walkers or strollers and have them lit at often-used times – or provide colour tints for different zones, such as bar and restaurant areas.
Similar systems are being installed in eco-conscious cities in Ireland, Germany and elsewhere in the Netherlands.