116 TECHNOLOGY / STREET & AMENITY LIGHTING
STREET FIGHTING
LED technology is regarded by many as the long anticipated solution for saving cost and reducing CO2
emission. But as an alternative for street lighting, the technology is not embraced everywhere. With
the World Cup looming, South Africa is one of them. Guy Oldenkotte reports
South Africa is amongst the countries with
the highest carbon footprint in the world
but the country is also amongst the nations
that are hit hardest by global warming.
And mismanagement at the national energy
producer Eskom has created a situation
where supply can no longer meet demand.
A reduction in energy consumption is, there-
fore, urgently required and for many differ-
ent reasons. As it is claimed that changing
to an LED light source can result in poten-
tially 30-90% less electricity usages, one
would expect the country to be amongst the
first to adapt the technology. While many
households have switched to LED lights, mu-
nicipalities still have to adopt the technol-
ogy. To provide the most important source
of illumination for which they are respon-
sible, street lighting, most municipalities
Cities like Johannesburg increasingly demand more electricity
still use High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights.
“Apart from the cost, one of the problems
with using LED lights for street lights is
that they may create a security concern,”
says Stefan Wiswedel of Sustainable Energy
Africa. In a country that is perceived as be-
ing ‘dangerous’ or at least ‘unsafe’, security
tops almost every list when it comes to new
introductions. “Areas that are illuminated
by LED lights have sharp edge between light
and dark. The directionality of LED street
lights is better than that of High Pressure
Sodium lights. People could perceive that as
uncomfortable as they can hardly see what
is happening or who is walking outside the
illuminated circle.” Wiswedel believes that
one way this problem can be overcome is
by bringing in extra infrastructure that will
come at an additional price. Something few
LED street lights require a higher density of infrastructure and are much more directional than traditional lamp
types. This results in an uncomfortable perception by those that use the streets
municipalities have the resources to do.
Johann Schleritzko, Managing Director of security.” According to Schleritzko these LIMITED SAVINGS
BEKA, a South African based provider of issues have not yet been addressed in In- Like in many other countries, municipalities
illumination solutions agrees. “Since LED ternational Standard Organisations. “It can in South Africa struggle to foot their bills.
lights can be directed and controlled better, be expected that the CIE, the International Bringing in extra lampposts and infrastruc-
the spill towards the pavements on either Commission on Lighting, will research this ture is therefore out of the question. And
side of the road is significantly reduced. matter and develop guidelines, to assist the much higher price manufacturers charge
This would be welcomed by the residents authorities and lighting companies in speci- for LED luminaries doesn’t help much
along these roads, since the spill light will fying and realising road lighting systems, either. “The problem is that LED luminaries
no longer illuminate their facades and which take the expectations of the Public are between 500 and 1000% more expen-
cause unwanted glare into their residences. into consideration.” But exactly when this sive. This requires a capital layout that is
However, the ‘dark curtain’ that is created will be, is something that is difficult to say, impossible to meet for many municipalities
by the controlled LED light beams would Schleritzko says. even though LED lights do not require main-
reduce pedestrians desire for safety and tenance for at least ten years guaranteed,”
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