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Wastage of energy due to street lights on in daylight |
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Street lights are an indispensable part of our life and streets. It is something that helps us to see the road to our destination in the dark. So therefore, we can consider it to be very useful in our lives. But when we see these street lights are on even during natural day lights are available, it is a wastage and ultimately affects our environment. To calculate how much wastage it is, let's do some simple maths. If a street light consumes 1000 W (approximately) of electricity in an hour and it runs for 2 hours extra everyday, then, 1000 X 2 = 2000 Wh = 2 KWh For a road of 2 km length (@ 2 lights fixed with a single post @ 10m centre to centre distance), 400 lights are in place. 2 KWh X 400 = 800 KWh is wasted in area every day which is totally unnecessary. So, we can imagine the wastage of fossil fuel, water, manhrs etc to produce the electricity which is not benefiting anybody!!! I had noticed this wastage in Sharjah area and as a responsible citizen tried to bring the attention of authorities on this subject. My report has been published in UAE's leading daily ?Gulf News? under their ?Community Report? section. The newspaper report is give below:
On further exploring into the subject matter, I found out (http://www.gizmag.com/motion-sensing-streetlight-system/19199/) that The Netherlands' Delft University of Technology is experimenting with a new streetlight system on its campus, where the streetlights equipped with motion sensors-dim to 20% power when there is no people around or when there is no moving vehicles near them. This system will reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 80%, in addition to this, it lowers maintenance costs and reduces light pollution. The illumination comes from LED bulbs, which are triggered by motion sensors. Their movement is detected by the closest streetlight as a person or car approaches, and its output goes up to 100%. Because the lights are all wirelessly linked to one another, the surrounding lights also come on, and only go back down to 20 percent once the commuter has passed through. This essentially creates a "pool of light" that precedes and follows people wherever they go, so any thugs lurking in the area should be clearly visible well in advance.
An experimental energy-saving streetlight system automatically dims the lights when no people or moving vehicles are in the area (Image: TU Delft)
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22 Comments
Bam/Guru/Shibajyoti : Thx for your feedbacks...from all the comments it seems that it is a common problem in most of the countries, but I wonder why authorities are not considering technology driven approaches to minimize the human interfaces/errors.
Posted 09-01-2013 02:30
Thx Christy for your valuable comments...
Posted 09-01-2013 02:27
Great point! Actually these kind of problems are always there. But not many people are aware of it. So, it's time to focus on it!
Posted 07-01-2013 18:38
This happens in our area too. Often I watched many lights are on even in the sun light. Many time I reported about it in that particular area person who took incharge of it. Now it reduce in our area. Everyone in their region wattch keenly these tbings and told about it properly will bring the awareness upon it.
Posted 07-01-2013 14:53
Thanks you Big brother Umesh,
High lighting issues in Energy saving race.
Posted 06-01-2013 12:08
This happens in our country too. But think even closer to home because this also happens in the homes of everyone so we have to remind people to just flick that switch when not in use. :)
Posted 06-01-2013 11:08
It is efficient here but may be some off cases which are well addressed
Posted 05-01-2013 17:49
Thx Ganaga Dutt and Promise Ozuzu...
Posted 05-01-2013 00:52
Thx Shibajyoti/Rajashree. In modern offices this system works, so why can't we do it for the roads? From the comment from Alberta, I understand already something like this is available in operation in US. So, this may be the future...
Posted 05-01-2013 00:51
A very good submission,huge problem in big cities.beyond technology governments should create a working system that ensures these lights come on when they are suppose and off when they should.
I agree technology saves a lot of headache but should be environmental friendly.
Posted 04-01-2013 14:49
right rajarshee i am agree with you
Posted 04-01-2013 12:50
Solution for such problem is to fit timer on the system to off them them in day ime.
Thanks for the report.
Posted 04-01-2013 12:21
What will happen during cycle riding? Will the sensors work during cycle riding?
Posted 04-01-2013 01:57
@ Mahsinur : I am not very sure about your criticism...I always believe that as a responsible citizen and community member, we should try to draw authorities attention wherever it is required to add some value into our living...any new technology which may be useful for protecting our environment, should be researched for better option always....
accept your comment on my spelling mistake...
Posted 04-01-2013 01:47
Thx Aman & Alberta... I also inquired local municipality regarding any actions action has taken or not..., but so far no answer from them...
Posted 04-01-2013 01:39
@Umesh Datta: I have some criticisms:
#Those renaissance aged lights might not have sufficient technology. But If U look at the newer lights. U should find a sensor.............
#According to me (at night) when a car is traveling at 100km/h........... the dimming sensor might not do the illumination fast enough.
#U have misspelled "Wastage" to "Wsatage"
Posted 03-01-2013 20:45
In US, we have some sensor attached traffic lights which are really efficient. I guess same technology would apply to the light system.
Posted 03-01-2013 20:12
street lights are on day and night, wasting a lot of energy
Posted 03-01-2013 19:49
the new technology is very good, hope to see it in the streets.
Posted 03-01-2013 19:48
Same condition here in india, but no action.
Posted 03-01-2013 19:47
this problem is all over the world.
Posted 03-01-2013 19:47
really a big issue
Posted 03-01-2013 19:46