On Friday 29 November 2019, Western Power officially launched a smart light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights trial in the City of Melville, a local government authority in Western Australia.
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 very low-level wireless radio frequency, which communicates with Western Power. Western Power described that the level is like the frequency you experience when listening to the radio in your car.
The State Government-owned corporation currently owns and operates around 270,000 streetlights in WA. Each year they receive approximately 40,000 calls regarding faulty streetlights.
The streetlights will collect and transmit data on faults and maintenance requirements. It is hoped that the trial will remove the need for manual reporting back – shortening repair time.
The smart streetlights will also provide increased functionality, capable of real-time control of brightness/dimming according to conditions, as well as for safety and security measures.
The pilot was installed as part of the underground power program recently completed in the City of Melville, which aimed to minimise impacts on local residents and provide significant cost savings.
The LED technology has several benefits for residents and local councils as they provide enhanced illumination, longer life, lower maintenance costs, and improved energy efficiency, which means they are more cost-effective for councils to run.
Energy Minister Bill Johnston said 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.”