Networked LED Streetlights with Intelligent Controls

Networked LED Streetlights with Intelligent Controls along Old Davis Road in UC Davis

CLTC has collaborated with the City of Davis to field-test a network-controlled LED street lighting system along Second Street in Davis, CA. The project team will demonstrate and measure the effects of various sensor technologies and communication protocols for adaptive street lighting, in terms of performance characteristics and energy savings. The demonstration involved replacing 12 high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures with LED streetlights and retrofitting 14 existing LED fixtures with dimming capabilities and controls. Each pole is currently equipped with passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensors and Lumewave TOP900 control modules. The modules wirelessly connect all the lights via Lumewave’s radio frequency (RF) control network. Installation was completed and testing began in November 2012.

Sensors detect movement from pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, anticipate their approach, and communicate the change in traffic to light poles downstream, increasing light output in a fluid, real-time response to travelers’ needs. Per the initial system commissioning, the LED streetlights use 94 watts at full brightness and just 23 watts during vacant periods when energy waste and light pollution can be curbed without compromising safety or comfort.

Preliminary data indicates that compared to single-level streetlights that lack controls, the networked system reduces energy use between 27% (with single-pole coverage and a one-minute timeout) and 42% (with individual pole control and a five-minute timeout). CLTC has deployed a survey to Davis residents to gather end-user feedback.

Researchers will use the same methodology applied to PIR sensors to evaluate microwave sensors. The project team also hopes to evaluate camera-based sensors and other control communication protocols. CLTC was awarded a Building Efficiency Research Grant (BERG) for the project, funded through the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.

Principal Investigator: Michael Siminovitch

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