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Efficient Traffic Lights, Portalegre, Alto Alentejo, Portugal - ENNEREG Good Practice in Cooperation - Energy Efficient Products
The project SEMALEDs consists in the replacement of incandescent bulbs on traffic lights by LEDs. Since LED technology is more efficient than incandescent bulbs technology, its implementation results in a significant reduction in the energy consumption of the municipalities. The LED technology has also a longer lifetime, resulting, in a reduction of the maintenance costs.
AREANATejo, the Regional Energy Agency of North Alentejo, developed this project in close collaboration with the 12 municipalities of the region.
The replacement of about 700 light incandescent bulbs took place in May 2012.
Summary
[EN - English]
The project SEMALEDs consists in the replacement of incandescent bulbs on traffic lights by LEDs. Since LED technology is more efficient than incandescent bulbs technology, its implementation results in a significant reduction in the energy consumption of the municipalities. The LED technology has also a longer lifetime, resulting, in a reduction of the maintenance costs.
AREANATejo (www.areanatejo.pt), the Regional Energy Agency of North Alentejo, developed this project in close collaboration with the 12 municipalities of the region.
The replacement of about 700 light incandescent bulbs took place in May 2012.
Aims and Objectives of this Sustainable Energy Action
The main objective of this project was to promote the replacement of the usual incandescent bulbs of traffic lights by LED technology, in order to reduce the energy consumption and the maintenance costs of these equipments.
Additionally, this new technology improves road safety and allows a significant reduction in the waste production, since these devices have a higher lifetime.
Results and Impacts
Before the replacement, the 50 traffic lights represented a consumption of approximately 283,500 kWh. With the installation of LED technology, the municipalities will be able to reduce the electricity consumption in about 85% (241,500 kWh), which is equivalent to the reduction of 111 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
The electricity bill of traffic lights will be reduced in about 38,000 € per year.
The maintenance costs will be reduced in about 41,000 €.
The required investment is about 194,000 € (about 0.80€ per kWh saved) with a payback period of 2.5 years.
With SEMALEDs project the production of waste from incandescent bulbs will be reduced almost in 200 kg.
Technical and Financial Implementation
The project began with a detailed analysis of the existing traffic lights equipment and of the electricity bills of the municipalities regarding their consumption. In several cases, it was possible to have a significant cost reduction only by commercially adjusting the electricity supply contracts between the municipalities and the national utility, for example, reducing the contracted power, installing electricity meters to enable charging of the costs for real consumption and not estimation.
The following step was the elaboration of an economic feasibility study considering the costs from the consumption of electricity and of maintenance, as well as waste production. This study was totally supported by AREANATejo, which has received financial participation from the municipalities, and determined the needed investment to accomplish these objectives.
The costs with the replacement of the traffic light systems will be supported by each Municipality.
Lessons Learnt
The electricity bill of the Municipalities has an important role in the municipal budget. In this sense, all the measures that aim the reduction of electricity consumption need to be considered and analyzed. The analysis of the energy profile of the municipality is crucial to identify where they can act.
The Partners and Stakeholders
This project was developed by the AREANATejo (Regional Agency for Energy and Environment of North Alentejo and Tejo) in cooperation with the local authorities. This is a good example of how the different municipalities of a Region can work together and cooperate through the Regional Energy Agency.
How this Action could be Replicated
This action can be replicated in any other region across Europe where traffic lights with incandescent bulbs are still being used.
Related Information on the Regions 202020 Website:
- Sustainable Energy Theme(s): Energy Efficient Products
- Region(s)/Community(ies): :
- Country(ies): Portugal
Last updated: 20/02/2013 3:51pm - Contact: Sandrina PEREIRA -
