Successful pilot project: the first Luma UP recirculating luminaires were put into operation in Grenchen
Upgrade instead of throwing away: The first "Luma gen1 UP" circuit luminaire was successfully tested and is now available as standard in our portfolio. SWG was the first Swiss energy company to take part in our pilot project and is delighted: "In future, we will carry out this upgrade for all LED luminaires when they reach the end of their technical life," says Andreas Messerli.
Modern LED street lights are real long-life products: their light sources have a service life of around 16 years. Only then does the light output decrease. However, when a luminaire has reached the end of its technical life, the luminaire head was previously disposed of as a whole - a shame for the aluminum housing, which actually lasts much longer. That's why we at Elektron have developed the first circular solution for one of our most popular luminaire families in the last decade: the Luma gen1.
Second life for the first generation Luma
In order to give a first-generation Luma a second life, the electronics are replaced with an upgrade kit and the luminaire is extended with two interfaces for networking. This means that the existing, robust aluminum housing, which has the largest CO₂ footprint in the production of a street light, can continue to be used. The advantages are obvious: less waste and less CO₂ from production and transportation because the circular luminaires reuse existing resources.
Unfortunately, line use was previously considered in the lighting sector and the luminaire was disposed of in the event of an electrotechnical defect. When we heard about Elektron's first recirculating luminaire at the Light Academy, it was immediately clear to us that we would be involved. The idea of circular luminaires fits perfectly with our goal of using materials as sustainably as possible.
Conversion by social institutions in Switzerland
CO₂ is not only saved by reusing the housing: the lights are converted in Switzerland. In social institutions to create additional regional added value and give people with disabilities meaningful work.
Advantages at a glance
Save at least 30% energy
The environmental balance of the recirculating luminaires is not only pleasing because of the resources saved. The new technology also reduces energy consumption by at least 30 percent. "The design language remains the same, and the light changes only minimally. The population will therefore hardly notice the change of light source," explains Andreas Messerli. At some locations in the districts, the SWG specialists are adjusting the light color as part of the conversion: The lights now emit a warmer, more pleasant light.
The LumaUP is equipped with two interfaces as standard for networking and control with a light management system. In Grenchen, the converted luminaires could thus be networked directly with Interact City. SWG introduced the lighting management system around four years ago. It allows the specialists to control and monitor every connected luminaire from their desks. This enables the luminaires to be dimmed to different levels in the late evening hours. For example, the brightness is reduced more for lights on neighborhood streets than for lights along main roads.
It was very important for us to equip the existing luminaires with a Zhaga interface and with the control element for Interact City. In the lighting management system, our specialists can see the important data for each luminaire, such as age, operating hours, energy consumption and current status. This simplifies our maintenance of public lighting: in future, we will no longer need to make inspection trips to detect defective luminaires.
The pilot project for the circulation lights has now been completed. Andreas Messerli draws a very positive conclusion:
"The converted lights are as good as new and of the same quality as a complete replacement. That's why we will carry out this conversion on all LED luminaires in future when they reach the end of their technical life."
Thanks to SWG's experience and commitment in the pilot project for the recycling lights, we are ready for a new era: "second-life" street lights are becoming standard in our portfolio. I am particularly pleased that Grenchen, where I live, is playing a pioneering role in this forward-looking topic. Our circular luminaires are more than just a technical upgrade - they are a piece of Swissness in action: sustainable, socially responsible and technically pioneering.
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