Darmstadt is becoming a smart city. The city is pushing ahead with its digital expansion in a total of 14 subprojects – from mobility to education and energy. In the latest smart lighting project, intelligent street lamps are illuminating a road and footpath in the district of Wixhausen. The pilot installation consists of 13 energy-saving LED luminaires from Entega subsidiary Luxstream. Integrated sensors from Tridonic enable them to detect movement and control the brightness. As a car, pedestrian, jogger or cyclist approaches, the sensors ensure that the street lamps provide adequate illumination. If there is no one in the vicinity, the lamps are dimmed.

“Close cross-discipline collaboration is particularly important for the successful implementation of smart city projects. Disciplines that were previously separate now merge into a common solution in smart city applications”, said Waldemar Becker, Product Manager Smart City Applications at Tridonic. In the case of the smart lighting project in Darmstadt, all the various parties are working together in a team – including the project team from the Darmstadt city authority, planners, network providers, luminaire manufacturers and component suppliers. “Interdisciplinary collaboration right from the start was crucial for the success of the project, as was the willingness of the project team from the Darmstadt city authority to welcome suggestions and ideas from all the parties involved. As a result, and with the aid of Luxstream, we were able to complete the pilot project quickly and smoothly,” added Waldemar Becker.

A safe and eco-friendly digital future

Wireless modules connect the lights to each another and forward signals so that the entire street run is illuminated. Residents and the environment both benefit from the adaptive lighting. It provides pedestrians with high levels of safety and security. The light reacts to them, giving them an instant personal sense of security. Light pollution is significantly reduced thanks to dimming and the response to minimal changes in daylight – a major benefit for the environment, wildlife and flora, which would otherwise be disturbed by artificial light.

Smart street lighting also ensures high energy efficiency. “Energy consumption can be reduced simply by using LEDs rather than conventional light sources. But further savings of 50 percent can be achieved by the motion sensors, giving total savings of 87 percent”, said Waldemar Becker. The smart street lighting is currently in the testing phase. There are long-term plans to extend it to other places in and around Darmstadt.

Light on demand with Smart City technology

The pyroelectric (PIR) sensors developed by Tridonic detect differences in temperature and react to thermal radiation from road users by increasing the lighting level – without generating any personal data, of course. Data security is ensured by encrypted data transfer – from the wireless communication module to the server. The LED luminaires and sensors are integrated in a secure network. Operators can access the system at any time via the Smart City platform and its management portal, for example to change the grouping of the luminaires or the illuminance level. The platform also provides important information about the luminaires, such as their energy consumption, possible faults and pending maintenance work.

The PIR sensors are specially designed for detection in street environments where dimming is possible and sensible. They cover an area of up to 560 square metres at a mounting height of up to eight metres. Robust design and adequate protection against harsh external conditions make the sensors extremely durable.

Smart lighting for Darmstadt

Smart City technology from Tridonic for greater safety and environmental protection

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