Thalheim saves over 50% of energy costs - thanks to Interact City and Eagle Eye Zhaga Radar Sensors

19.02.2021

Under discussion

The municipality of Thalheim (AG) with its approximately 800 inhabitants has upgraded its lighting almost completely to networked LED luminaires in recent years. "Today, we have almost no old luminaires left - over 95% of the approximately 174 street luminaires were refurbished to LED in four stages", tells Stefan Wernli (member of the EVT commission).

Stefan Wernli and Kari Dietiker of the Electricity Supply Commission tell why Thalheim, in addition to LED luminaires, has already very early on on an intelligent lighting control with Interact City and today has even gone a step further.

Why was the decision made back in 2016 in favor of the Interact City lighting control system?

Stefan They wanted to be able to control the lights of the different street types individually and not have "exotic streets". The community wanted to be able to dim flexibly at any time. We then went by another municipality that already had Interact City in use. After a workshop at ELEKTRON, it finally convinced us.

How do you use the dimming calendars?

Stefan After the training, we started creating the first dimming calendars. This allowed us to create specific structures for main and secondary roads. At the pedestrian crossings we have of course deposited other dimming profiles because of safety, there must always be enough light. On the contrary, at a "Stumpenstrasse", which is not yet developed with buildings, we have even switched off the lighting completely. The lights can then be raised quite easily as soon as the road is in use.

Kari We used to have a key switch where we could turn so the lights would be on all night. For example, if there was an occasion like a gymnastics night or something. Today we can do that on the computer.

How does the refurbishment affect energy savings?

Stefan We turn the lighting down to a low dimming level early in the night, especially on side streets, because we have had quite good experience with it. The feedback from people has been very good. We simply don't need more light. After all, there are almost no cars driving through at night. We have saved over 50% energy since we started the refurbishment in 2016 - not just with dimming but also because you get better luminous efficacy with LEDs.

Kari And we no longer have to do any maintenance work, since "s Birewechsle" is eliminated. The lights survive us yes almost.

In addition to Interact City, you also have Eagle Eye Zhaga in use - a motion-dependent lighting control system...

Stefan Yes exactly, when the lighting of a long staircase in a neighborhood came up, we took the next step. For us it was very clear that we didn't want to have the stairs lit all the time. The other alternative would have been Interact City, but that would have given us constant light, not just when there are actually people on the stairs. That would be kind of nonsensical to light a walkway like that all the time.

At first we wanted to take a normal motion sensor per light, but that didn't work so well because the lights turned on too late. So we decided to use radar sensors, so that when people come, the lights turn on in advance. And automatically on all the lights as soon as someone walks in at the top or bottom. If we can then control these sensors in Interact City, it will be even better. We plan to light another staircase like this as well. It has worked very well for us.

Best thanks for the interview to

Stefan Wernli, Member Electricity Supply Commission Thalheim (Consulting and Control)
Kari Dietiker, Member Electricity Supply Commission Thalheim (Construction and Installation)

Comparison before refurbishment and after

Since the start of the refurbishment in 2016, over 50% energy has been saved - not only with dimming but also because you have the better light output with LEDs.

Before the redevelopment

Conventional street lighting