Efficient Public Lighting, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal - ENNEREG Good Practice in Cooperation - Energy Efficient Products

ENERGAIA is supporting and promoting the reduction of public lighting energy consumption in Vila Nova de Gaia, a municipality located in the north of Portugal, in cooperation with the local authorities.

In 2002, a preliminary study found that the best technical solution for this problem was the installation of flux control systems, and since then numerous pilot projects have been implemented in this municipality.

Typically, flux control systems can save up to 20-30% of energy, also increasing the life span of the lamps up to 30%.

The first pilot project, about 30 flux control equipments, was installed, inducing energy savings of about 650 MWh (in 2004), corresponding to nearly 50,000 € of energy cost reduction and avoiding the emission of 320 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Summary

[EN - English]

ENERGAIA (Energy Agency of south Porto’s Metropolitan Area - www.energaia.pt) is supporting and promoting the reduction of public lighting energy consumption in Vila Nova de Gaia, a municipality located in the north of Portugal, in cooperation with the local authorities.

In 2002, a preliminary study found that the best technical solution for this problem was the installation of flux control systems, and since then numerous pilot projects have been implemented in this municipality.

Typically, flux control systems can save up to 20-30% of energy, also increasing the life span of the lamps up to 30%.

The first pilot project, about 30 flux control equipments, was installed, inducing energy savings of about 650 MWh (in 2004), corresponding to nearly 50,000€ of energy cost reduction and avoiding the emission of 320 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

Aims and Objectives of this Sustainable Energy Action

The objectives of this project were: to evaluate the municipality’s public lighting conditions and the available technologies to promote energy efficiency; to develop a pilot project to confirm the theoretical results of flux control systems; to develop a financial model for the project implementation and, finally, to launch a communication campaign to disseminate the project.

Results and Impacts

The first phase of the project, the preliminary study, ended in May 2002 and found that the control flux systems were the best technical solution for this problem.

Between June and September 2002, the tests and results evaluation of the pilot installation were conducted, and in 2003 the project was implemented, the 30 flux control systems were installed, and disseminated.

In the first year (2003), the energy savings reached 330 MWh, with a 25,000 € of cost reduction.

In the second year (2004), the savings were of about 650 MWh, with a cost reduction of about 50,000 €.

The energy savings in 2004 resulted in a reduction of 320 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

With this project, the municipal authorities became aware of the economic and environmental impacts of public lighting in the municipality.

Technical and Financial Implementation

Lighting flux regulation is performed by specific equipment installed in public lighting electric circuits - control flux system. This equipment can be configured to operate in a specific time period with reduced input voltage by a maximum of 50 V (between 180 and 230 V). Reducing input voltage in certain night periods, when there is less need for lighting, allows considerable energy savings.

Together with the installation of the flux control systems, it was installed and energy monitoring equipment that conducted the acquisition of electricity consumption data. This data is important to quantify energy savings and improve initial calculations, but also to detect equipment operation’s errors.

The total investment was about 250,000€ with an estimated payback period of 5 years, without considering the savings related to the maintenance costs.

Lessons Learnt

There are technologies and management practices that can be used in public lighting leading to significant reductions of the energy bill of municipalities.
For this, it is necessary to cover this sector with management models that have into account these opportunities and that implement new practices in project analysis, maintenance and modernization of existing equipments.

The Partners and Stakeholders

This project was developed by ENERGAIA (Energy Agency of the south of Porto’s Metropolitan Area) in cooperation with the municipal authorities.

How this Action could be Replicated

This action has a huge potential for replication in other urban areas in Europe, where public lightning represents a significant part of municipality energy bill.

Related Information on the Regions 202020 Website:

Sustainable Energy Theme(s): Energy Efficient Products
Region(s)/Community(ies): :
Country(ies): Portugal

Last updated: 20/02/2013 4:49pm - Contact: Sandrina PEREIRA -