Western Power today launched a smart LED streetlights trial in the City of Melville.
For the first time, streetlights in Western Australia will be able to operate on a system-wide basis, providing direct benefits to residents and local government authorities.
The eight-month trial features 100 LED streetlights connected by a wireless radio frequency, which communicates with Western Power.
The project is part of the State Government’s commitment to deliver innovative and intelligent street lighting for Western Australian communities.
The smart streetlights will collect and transmit data on faults and maintenance requirements.
Western Power receives around 40,000 calls a year regarding faulty streetlights, and it is hoped the trial will remove the need for manual reporting back, shortening repair time.
The smart streetlights will also provide increased functionality – such as brightness control, to adapt to daily light conditions, for safety and security measures, and for aesthetic reasons.
The pilot was installed as part of the underground power program recently completed in the City of Melville, minimising impacts on local residents and providing significant cost savings.
As stated by Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
“Smart streetlights represent an innovative solution to replacing ageing infrastructure with the additional benefit of feeding back important data into Western Power’s system.
“The LED technology has several benefits for residents and local governments, they reduce carbon emissions, enhance illumination, have a longer life, lower maintenance costs, and are more cost-effective for councils to run.
“It’s imperative that our network is dynamic and uses evolving technologies to provide efficient solutions for our community. This is why the McGowan Government is developing a Whole of System Plan to guide the integration of future technologies in our power system.”
