UAE throws switch on solar-powered street lights

by CW Staff on Jan 17, 2012 

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Solar-powered streetlighting is ideal for remaote locations.
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The UAE’s Ministry if Public Works has commissioned its first solar-powered road lighting project – an 11km section of road within the Wadi Sadr area, inland from the port town of Khor Fakkan.
The system was installed in the remote region because it doesn’t require additional power infrastructure to support it. The system charges during the day and used its stored energy to power the lighting systems at night.
Dr. Abdullah Al Nuaimi Belhef, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works, said in a statement today that this project comes in line with the directives by the UAE and Abu Dhabi governments on the implementation of projects that meet the principles of sustainability.
Belhef said the project saves high cost operation expenses of the traditional electric lighting.

Lebanon’s Largest Solar Project Lights up a Green Highway

Tafline Laylin | April 27th, 2012 | 1 Comment | Email this

Like Egypt, Israel, and Jordan, Lebanon has been beset with energy shortages recently –  a crisis that will escalate as demand grows alongside an ever-expanding population. Sidestepping these constraints and taking advantage of almost year-round sunshine, the Transportation Ministry has installed 766 solar-powered street lights on a 10km stretch of relatively unpolluted highway in Hermel. Some residents are grateful and excited about the $1,072,000 project, but others are skeptical.

Green Highway

Ahmad Shahin, an engineer from the Union of Hermel District Municipalities told The Daily Star that they have been asking the transportation ministry for street lights for a long time in order to improve safety not only at night, but also during foggy weather. Eventually the ministry came back with a proposal to install the solar-powered lights designed to reduce gas emissions and costs.

The Union accepted this proposal and the ministry oversaw construction of the lights. It is uncertain which company supplied the bulbs, solar panels and other equipment, but they are required to guarantee the products for one year under the terms reached between them and the transportation ministry.

A solar panel crowning each light collects and stores solar energy produced during sunny days. When the sun goes down or when fog settles in, a lightbulb automatically switches on. They each run for up to 12 hours a day.

Cutting corners

Installed on the Baalbek-Homs highway from the old Bekaa train station to Hermel, and on the 5 kilometer stretch between Bekaa and Al-Qaa, the new lights improve visibility without undue environmental destruction.

Although Nizar Dandash, the head of the League of University Professors for the Protection of Environment, believes this project – the largest solar installation commissioned by the Lebanese government – is a step in the right direction, past experience has generated criticism that the equipment used is substandard and will require costly maintenance that the municipality can scarcely afford.

Nonetheless, the union’s head, Mustafa Taha, told the paper that they will take responsibility for any maintenance costs going forward.

Recently a Lebanese goat farmer subverted municipal energy shortages by setting up his own solar panel that has allowed him and his family to connect with the rest of the world. It seems that finally, finally Lebanon is catching on to the reality that solar isn’t just a passing phase. It makes good business sense, as long as no corners are cut.

FORGEN SIGN EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR SOLAR LED STREET LIGHTS

Today, Forgen Renewables signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Leadsun Technology Ltd to introduce unique, high quality solar / LED street lighting into the UK.  Leadsun are leaders in LED solar street lighting and have thousands of their street lighting systems all over the world.  Forgen Renewables CEO, Chris Williams commented ‘This is great news for Forgen as we continue to grow our business through bringing tried and tested products to market.  The solar street lights fit very well with our renowned Forgen vertical axis wind turbines, to offer a hybrid or standalone street lighting solution.’

Forgen will be updating the website over the coming weeks to include the ‘Livesun’ and ‘Alpha Series’ solar lighting range.

The Future of Street Lighting - Solar LED

January 23, 2012 

Eindhoven, Netherlands – Philips has developed what is said to be the world’s most efficient and cost effective solar powered LED street lighting solution per km of road. 

Philips’ latest Solar Gen2 innovation is developed together with NXP Semiconductors N.V. and presents a total solution for highly sustainable and efficient street lighting that is a serious alternative to grid connected systems, cutting back energy costs and CO2 emissions. 

Solar Gen2 offers a highly energy-efficient LED solution which is superior to any conventional lighting and allows for a lamp post spacing of up to 50 meters, much wider than with other solutions, while at the same time complying with stringent EU road lighting standards (ME3). By charging street lighting during the day, Solar Gen2 can supplement the capacity of the conventional electricity grid. 

Solar Gen2 is especially valuable for towns and cities near the equator, which can take advantage of the many hours of sunlight to supplement the capacity of their conventional electricity grid – and so address their growing concerns about their ability to meet the steep increase in energy demand. In rural areas it can literally light up the lives of an estimated 1.6 billion people who don’t have access to conventional electricity. 

 

“The Solar Gen 2 breakthrough underlines Philips’ commitment to provide innovative, meaningful solutions that help increase people’s sense of well-being, comfort and safety around the world, while saving energy costs and avoiding CO2 emissions,” reacted Marc de Jong, CEO Professional Lighting Solutions. “By combining the latest LED lighting with solar and battery developments, Solar Gen2 offers a best-in class, reliable and cost-effective off-grid lighting solution that can help cities meet their growing energy demand and significantly improve the lives of people who currently live without electricity,” he further commented. 

René Penning de Vries, CTO at NXP Semiconductors, says: “We’re very proud to have developed this solution in collaboration with Philips Lighting. By making Solar Gen2 as power efficient as possible, we’ve produced something which is genuinely groundbreaking while remaining affordable in those countries that can benefit the most from it. Harnessing the energy of the sun as effectively as possible means reduced electricity demand and a more robust infrastructure.” 

 

The key to the breakthrough lies in the combination of new High Brightness LEDs along with unique patented optics to create the most efficient and robust outdoor lighting system. On top of that, an intelligent charge controller, developed by NXP Semiconductors N.V., ensures the transfer of a maximum amount of power from the solar panels to the batteries. A smart way of charging and discharging maximizes battery life and light levels can be dimmed based on a self learning intelligence and a history log. 

A further benefit of the new solution is that it is future proofed by the inclusion of the Philips LEDGINE, which allows LED modules and drivers over time to be simply replaced and upgraded. In addition, Solar Gen2 includes theft prevention. 

Focus markets for Philips solar street lighting solutions are South East Asia, Africa, China, India and North America. 

LED Street lighting

Global lighting Market

The global lighting market is expected to have revenues of around EUR 110 billion

in 2020, with 6 percent and 3 percent p.a. growth from 2010 - 16 and 2016 - 20,

respectively (Exhibit 1) based on McKinsey’s Global Lighting Market Model.

Appendix 4 contains a description of the assumptions underlying the market model.

These figures demonstrate that the size of the global lighting market is similar to

that of the global TV market. It is important to note that this is calculated based on

the producer price. If the model’s calculations were based on retail price instead,

factoring in both the wholesaler’s and retailer’s value added, this would almost

double its size, making it comparable to the entire personal computer industry,

including both laptops and desktops

Blackout: Safety fears as 3,000 miles of roads go unlit in cost-cutting measure 28 Oct 2012 22:06

More than 3,000 miles of motorways and trunk roads are plunged into darkness during the evenings

Danger: Motorways are being plunged into darkness

PA

Thousands of street lights are being switched off overnight to cut costs – making driving more hazardous.

More than 3,000 miles of motorways and trunk roads are plunged into darkness during the evenings, a study revealed yesterday.

It comes after Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents statistics found twice as many crashes on motorways are fatal where there are no street lights.

A RoSPA spokesman said: “The presence of lighting not only reduces the risk of traffic accidents but also their severity.”

Some 73% of 134 councils which responded to a survey said they had turned off or dimmed lights, or planned to.

The Highways Agency is also using the cost-cutting measure.

A 15-mile stretch of the M1 between Milton Keynes and Luton is included in 47 miles of the motorway with no lights overnight.

And a further 3,080 miles of motorways and trunk roads in England are completely unlit.

The probe by Halfords, which was released as the clocks went back yesterday, found some councils begin the switch-off as early as 8pm.

The power then stays off until around 5.30am.

The country’s 7.5 million street lights cost an estimated £500million to run.

But the complex control systems needed to turn off individual bulbs cost millions.

Local authorities say savings will not cover the cost of the technology for four years.

The Highways Agency says it has saved £400,000 and reduced carbon emissions by turning off lights.

However, few councils have reported savings.

Tory councillors spent £70,000 on a trial over three years but saved just £15,000 in energy bills in Wokingham, Berks.

Worcester county council scrapped similar plans after discovering it would cost £3.4million to make savings of just £600,000 a year.

A 30% rise in accidents led Milton Keynes council to turn lights back on this summer.

Paul McClenaghan, director of accessory retailer Halfords, said: “Poor lighting or none at all can make it very difficult for motorists to see hazards or objects clearly at night. It is clear that extra vigilance is needed.”