Internet of Things controls street lighting
An example of the Internet of Things (IoT) in action, is evident in the development of the latest wireless smart lighting control system, offering over 50% reduction in power consumption compared to existing smart lighting systems along with enhanced reliability, improved radio range and class leading metering accuracy. The new MK3 design is now available and shipping in volume, with the Zigbee based solution already qualified for sale in North America.
This project was fulfilled by TTP and Mayflower.
The Technology Partnership plc (TTP) is a technology and product development company, working closely with its clients they create disruptive products based on advances in technology and engineering innovation. TThe technology lies behind many products and processes in areas as diverse as communications, digital printing, instrumentation, consumer & industrial products, biotechnology, medical devices and security systems.
Smart lighting control is an example of how the Internet of Things can generate real financial savings by embedding intelligence and connectivity into everyday objects. TTP is working on applications from controlling and optimising home energy systems to sensors embedded in smart orthopaedic implants for remote monitoring. With predictions that the IoT will connect up to 50 billion devices by 2020, smart street lighting is just the tip of the iceberg.
Using the smart lighting control node, the Mayflower CMS (central management system) now controls and monitors in excess of 180,000 street lights, bollards and signs in the UK and Ireland. Orders for the innovative product have now reached 300,000 nodes. The biggest installation in Hampshire in the United Kingdom has over 90,000 Mayflower nodes fitted with a further 50,000 to be installed over the next 12 months making it the largest single street-lighting CMS in the world. This has allowed Hampshire County Council to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4000 tonnes, equivalent to 1600 cars every year.
Mayflower’s product range includes both external and internal solutions, which give the ability to monitor and control a range of installations from high masts and street lights to illuminated bollards and signs. All nodes communicate via a Zigbee self-healing mesh network, connected to Mayflower’s back-office solution via a secured GSM Internet connection mounted to the network coordinator.
Commenting on the project, TTP’s project manager Richard Sims said, “TTP believes that innovative solutions to manage and reduce energy consumption are key to a sustainable future, both in the UK and worldwide. Mayflower approached us with aggressive cost, performance and reliability targets – and our experience in design for manufacture, wireless systems and cost engineering allowed us to achieve those goals. We’re pleased to be part of this significant Smart City development.”
In 2001, Mayflower identified the need for a Central Management System (CMS) to control and monitor public lighting installations. Deployment of a remote monitoring concept began to be trialled in 2003 in Plymouth and then Wale in the UK. By 2005, 15,000 Mark 1 nodes had been installed across the country. In 2009, SSE Contracting purchased Mayflower outright and began development of a brand new product range - Mayflower Complete Lighting Control. The Mayflower CMS and products has received Elexon approval and can be used as equivalent meters for measuring energy usage. In the last few years, Mayflower has won several large contracts to supply Street Lighting PFI Projects with its remote monitoring and control equipment, including the South Coast (Hampshire and Southampton), Nottingham and Knowsley PFIs. The Hampshire PFI project alone will include installation of approximately 150,000 Mayflower Nodes. Mayflower’s current sale confirmation is in excess of 300,000 units.
