Dover pilot sets stage for first phase of LED streetlight retrofit

 

Monday, October 12, 2009

 

By New Streetlights staff

 

The response to LED streetlights by both city officials and citizens has been positive in Dover, Delaware.

 

Dover is running an evaluation pilot project for energy efficient streetlights since June 2009. In addition to testing LED luminaires, the city is concurrently evaluating induction lights. “We have found the upfront costs of the induction lights to be less than LEDs, but the long term savings of LEDs are significantly higher,” says Jamie Sack, an official with the city of Dover.

 

Sack also noted the very positive response of the public to the LED streetlight pilot. “What we are hearing is that it’s a better quality light but that like anything new, it takes some getting used to,” said Sack.

 

Federal stimulus funds will finance the retrofit of an additional 65 fixtures. The current pilot utilizes luminaires supplied by LED Roadway Lighting, LLC of Nova Scotia, Canada. While the pilot does not have any metered lights, load monitors record data, which is analyzed to calculate energy savings and efficiency.

 

The city of Dover serves as its own utility and tightly manages its energy costs. The city is capable of generating its own power at the Dover Power Plant or purchasing power off the grid, which provides greater options when trying to meet clean energy goals.

 

Dover’s goal is to eventually retrofit over 2,000 existing streetlights following the first phase, which will be funded by federal stimulus dollars. City officials expect the funds to be awarded soon and plan to issue an RFP for the project within thirty days of receiving federal grant money.

 

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NewStreetlights.com > news > Dover pilot sets stage - 12 October 2009

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