Two Western Suburbs Debut Smart Street Light System
(CBS) -- Bensenville and Lombard are the first to debut the Smart Streetlight Program that uses smart, energy efficient LED streetlights.
Through this pilot, ComEd is replacing approximately 800 ComEd-owned fixtures in Bensenville and Lombard combined.
"These lights will allow full integration with their Smart Grid technology and it will also allow remote operation of the lighting system," said Carl Goldsmith, Director of Public Works, Lombard.
The six month pilot program uses ComEd's smart grid. Like smart meters, the street lights tap into a wireless network that allows for two way communication with grid operators.
Goldsmith says via a web portal, municipalities will be able to control the dimming and daily scheduling of the lights, and receive immediate notification if a lamp is in need of maintenance. Additionally, control can be given to first responders to manage streetlights on-demand during emergency situations.
"The street lights consume as little as one third of the energy, last longer and each keeps track of each fixture's energy usage," said Joe Svachula, Vice President, Engineering & Smart Grids, ComEd.
"Our primary goal at the end of the day is to be energy efficient, which leads to a better, sustainable utility system, but there is a cost saving measure. There certainly opportunities for enhances public safety as well," said Goldsmith.
The first lights were installed Tuesday. ComEd hopes to install the Smart Streetlight Program system wide.