"We like to try out new developments like Interact City and are very open to them. In the end, after all, we benefit from it."
The Werke am Zürichsee, as the energy provider, looks after the public lighting in the communities of Erlenbach, Zollikon and Küsnacht. This means around 5500 light points along the right bank of Lake Zurich. Most of these illuminate neighborhood streets. "Our people outside are upgrading. We have long since started to order only luminaires with Zhaga interfaces," Andreas Ausborn (head of the electricity division) tells us in an interview. In addition to the ongoing, step-by-step refurbishment to LED, however, they are going one step further and have decided to use the Interact City light management system.
Interview with Andreas Ausborn, Head of Electricity, Lake Zurich Works
How many lights do you care for in your communities?
We look after around 5500 luminaires, all of which we have already recorded in our GIS and imported into Interact. Of these, around 270 are so far online, that is, networked with Interact and are controlled via it. In addition, we are now continuously adding new luminaires, which are delivered directly mounted with the OLCs and are installed by us.
What advantages do the latest generation LED luminaires have for you?
Through the cooperation with the three municipalities, we are sensitive to the different requirements. For example, in the lighting of special zones or the desire for special types of lights. Today we have the possibility, for example, with the backlight louvre to clearly delineate the light to the rear, we could not do that in the past with the old LED luminaires. We also tend to rely on low luminous fluxes and dimming levels, and of course we also take into account the applicable standards. With these new options, we have much less negative feedback from the public compared to before.
Why did the decision fall on Interact City?
We looked at and ordered CityTouch in early 2021. With the announcement of Interact City, we decided to wait for it right away. That's how we became a pilot customer. We like to test new developments and are very open to them. In the end, after all, we benefit from it.
What is the first impression?
Very good - from the interface and the operation is all very simple and intuitive - and yet not so that you have functional limitations. Normally you can't do much on a simple interface, but with Interact it's different. I think most people today are used to using a web-based system like this.
Normally, you can't do much on a simple interface either, but with Interact it's different. I think most people today are used to using a web-based system like this.
How did the data import go?
We maintain all the data in our GIS, from where the firing points were imported. Marco (note ELEKTRON) is now still doing the final touches and then everything fits. For maintenance and servicing, we still have a separate tool since the beginning of the year, but it goes beyond lighting - we also use it to plan VK and TS maintenance.
What features do you value the most?
For example, the automatic fault messages: This tells us immediately if a luminaire is defective, does not burn at all or has a fault. From a maintenance point of view, we can of course react much faster this way than if we have to wait for a message from the public and everyone thinks "de other side".
Mainly, however, we use Interact to adjust the dimming calendars for the various streets, or perhaps in exceptional cases to control a luminaire separately. We have a demanding clientele in our supply area, where we sometimes have to make a compromise, if the system allows it and is possible from the standard.
Do you already know how you want to use the dimming profiles?
Until now, we have turned off every other light at night. Of course, this is now superfluous. Today, we solve this with dimming profiles and can dim down to 10-20% in extreme cases, instead of turning them off completely. That's usually enough for pedestrians to find their way along a path.
What's the main reason you go for the lowest possible dimming levels?
Mainly because of the residents, especially with a lighting renovation also changes the ambience of a street. An important factor for us is also the light color: Previously, we still did everything with 4000 K. Today, we consistently use 3000 K. It's even an issue to go a bit warmer to 2700 K. The topic of light color is also important for the municipalities, and they have already approached us about it. We respond to these needs accordingly and thus also meet other requirements such as environmental compatibility and light emissions at the same time. A good effect here is again a better acceptance by the residents.
Read project report
Have you tested other controls besides Interact City?
Yes we already have some different, motion-dependent controls in use, including Eagle Eye on a road with speed 50, at the edge of the village. We are of course also looking forward to when this system can then be integrated into Interact. It is planned to use the motion-dependent control system on other roads as well.
