The SmartCOS program – a collaboration between the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) – is installing 50 smart streetlight controllers on existing LED streetlights as part of a pilot project to test them for energy and operational efficiencies.
The smart streetlight controllers will receive and transfer streetlight-related data through a secure cellular network. This will allow for the remote operation and control of light levels; the ability to program lights to turn on and off, or dim to adapt to time of night, season, or event; the monitoring of energy consumption data; and, the ability to receive notifications when a light goes out, and its exact location.
The smart LED streetlights are expected to reduce energy use, create safer environments, enhance asset management, lower operations and maintenance costs, and enable future SmartCOS solutions. The goal is to collect data and analytics on streetlight use to plan for the conversion of the city’s streetlight infrastructure.
The cost of the smart streetlight controller pilot, including the controllers and consulting fees, is $33,250 and is funded by the city’s Office of Innovation. After the six-month pilot project, the city and Springs Utilities will assess results, scalability, and costs to potentially integrate smart controllers and accelerate the conversion of Colorado Springs’ street lights to LEDs.
“Through this SmartCOS pilot project, we are taking the initial steps needed to plan how we modernize our city’s streetlight infrastructure,” Josh Handley, manager of the city’s Office of Innovation said. “Our goal is to join cities around the world that are transforming their streetlights into energy-efficient assets that have the ability to integrate new technologies, contribute to a safer community, and provide long-term efficiencies and potential cost savings.”