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Lightbulb moment as council cuts lighting costs
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor9 Sep 2009
Hundreds of "smart" street lights have been installed across the West End to cut energy costs.
The lights, in use around Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue, are controlled wirelessly and programmed to switch on only when needed.
It is estimated each of the 866 lights could save Westminster council up to £46 a year - nearly £40,000 in total - because they use less power than conventional street lights which are left on overnight.
The new system can be controlled by computer which means staff can instantly see the status and power usage of any of the "smart" lights and remotely control how brightly they shine.
"The lights can be switched on only when needed - in some areas that might not be until far later in the evening," said Martin Baum, of Harvard Engineering, which developed the lights.
"Councils can also opt to dim the lights if they need to; for instance in central London it is often the case that full power is not needed."
Reader views (7)
When are they going to install LEDs? Ann Arbor (USA) began in 2007, so why is London so far behind?
- Ralph, London, 09/09/2009 21:37
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I suppose they could make some money by selling the old lights on e-bay.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 09/09/2009 19:58
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Peter, guessing the right answer to your own question isn't as clever as it seems. Westminster's example is one to be followed, not sneered at.
- Austen, London, 09/09/2009 17:32
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Blackpool will be interesting this year !
- Sebastian, London UK, 09/09/2009 10:30
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Anyone who as flown over London at night must wonder why they are lighting up the sky. We dont need half of the lighting after midnight and I doubt it would be anymore dangerous than if they left them on all night.
- Stephend, London, England, 09/09/2009 08:55
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So, they're going to save £40,000 a year, but how much will it cost(including a non-contributory pension) them to employ someone to turn them on and off while working unsocial hours?
- George, London, 09/09/2009 08:49
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>>It is estimated each of the 866 lights could save Westminster council up to £46 a year - nearly £40,000 in total
But what was the capital expenditure costs incurred in their purchase and installation, never mind the disposal costs of the 'dumb' lights?
I would hazard a guess that the 'savings' will be wiped out by the costs and hence once again being 'Green' isn't as clever as it seems.
- Peter, Harrow, UK, 09/09/2009 08:35
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