Smart lighting control system for energy efficient public lighting

Abstract

Public Lighting System (PLS) infrastructure is a significant energy consumer within cities and an important part of the maintenance budget. Multiple Smart Public Light Management Systems (S-PLMSs) based on the Internet-of-Things (IoT) is being proposed in recent literature as a way of improving energy efficiency in PLSs. This work presents an analysis, a design and cost assessment of a S-PLMS design. The analysis begins with a literature review of technologies and techniques applicable within S-PLMSs using a generic 3-tier IoT based architectural framework. The 3-tier IoT framework is used to develop a comprehensive taxonomy of S-PLMSs for each of the three layers, perception & control tier, communication tier and application tier. A S-PLMS design entailing dimmable LED luminaires remotely controlled using a wireless LoRa-based technology sensor network is proposed. An aspect of the design is prototyped and simulated using the Arduino platform. A street lighting design case study is carried out for a street in Emfuleni Local Municipality. Cost assessment study reveals that retrofitting this street with the new design would result in a 38.6% reduction of energy-cost savings. However, should the traffic be restricted to 200 vehicles and 600 vehicles per hour, then the estimated energy reduction would be 75.8% and 54.5%, respectively.