No Smart Streetlighting in Waterloo — for Now

Waterloo LED streelighting conversion excludes smart technology

June 22, 2016

City of Waterloo council members have universally voted against adding smart technology to an LED streetlight conversion project, based on a recommendation from city staff. The technology offers potential energy and cost savings by giving municipalities the option to dim streetlights.

As reported by Anam Latif in the Waterloo Region Record, the additional $1.2 million required was not in the budget, could incur extra costs, and delay the streetlight conversion project. Furthermore, the technology is rapidly changing, so that adding it at this stage could be “premature.”

“It seems counterintuitive to not do something that’s innovative,” said Councillor Diane Freeman, who voted no. Councillor Jeff Henry was more pragmatic: “I’m not spending money hoping for dollars.”

The LED conversion project on its own, involving 8,000 streetlights, is expected to save the community about $420,000 annually in electricity costs. The conversion will be completed in 2019.

Down the road in Kitchener, Ontario, the council has already agreed to install the smart technology in their streetlights. It has the potential to also monitor snow levels and waste management.

Image courtesy of Feelart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Leviton Achieves 29% Decrease in Overall GHG Emissions from 2021 to 2023

    Leviton recently announced that it achieved a 29% drop in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the 2021 baseline year, a major step towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral company-wide by the year 2030 with their CN2030 program. Through on-site renewable energy generation, accelerated energy efficiency efforts, moving to renewable and clean energy providers,… Read More…

  • LEDVANCE Canada Welcomes Gary Repko as Sr. Sales Representative in Central Region

    Recently, LEDVANCE Canada was delighted to welcome Gary Repko as its Sr. Sales Representative for the central region of Canada. Linda Conejo, a Regional Sales Manager for LEDVANCE Canada, stated, “Gary has 12+ years industry experience and brings a wealth of knowledge having worked with engineers, contractors and distributors. We are excited that he has… Read More…


Design

  • Resilience Illuminated: Reviving Westminster Pier Park After Devastating Fire

    Resilience Illuminated: Reviving Westminster Pier Park After Devastating Fire

    In September 2020, the picturesque city of New Westminster near Vancouver in British Columbia suffered a devastating setback when an intentionally set fire destroyed much of the city’s waterfront park, including its urban beach, sand volleyball courts, and iconic art installation known as Wow Westminster. The fire, which burned for ten days before firefighters could… Read More…

  • Lumentruss Case Study: The Honeyrose Hotel’s Beautiful Redesign

    Lumentruss Case Study: The Honeyrose Hotel’s Beautiful Redesign

    May 30, 2024 A unique example of intimate spaces created using Lumentruss products at the Honeyrose Hotel. HONEYROSE Hotel, Montreal, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The beautifully inspired Art Deco boutique hotel located in the heart of Montreal is an exemplary demonstration of integrating layers of light into the architectural design to bring the architecture to… Read More…


New Products

  • WaveLinx LITE Node from Cooper Lighting Solutions

    WaveLinx LITE Node from Cooper Lighting Solutions

    The WaveLinx LITE Node (OEM-WLN) is a wireless to 0-10V control module designed to be integrated into the luminaire. The LITE Node offers two continuous 0-10V output channels that can be used to control dim-to-off 0-10V LED drivers with auxiliary power. The device has a built-in 802.15.1 radio (Bluetooth) that is used to communicate with other WaveLinx… Read More…

  • Peerless Electric: Peerlux Series ECR-G Luminaire

    Peerless Electric: Peerlux Series ECR-G Luminaire

    Introducing Peerless Electric’s ECR-G luminaire, part of the Peerlux Series, a germicidal luminaire for suspended mounting with aircraft cables. Designed to help clean the air of bacteria, fungi, their spores and inactivating viruses by destroying their ability to replicate. A stylish linear fixture that provides indirect UVc disinfection. Read More…