Sustainable practices for more efficient energy use
Sustainability, reducing consumption, and democratizing access to energy are essential to ensure equal resource availability worldwide. Likewise, these practices promote a balance between existing needs and environmental care, protecting biodiversity and mitigating the effects of climate change. Furthermore, it encourages responsible practices in resource use and energy production. Ultimately, policies based on sustainability and caring for our resources not only benefit the planet but also favor us as individuals. We spoke with Candela Guyot, visual & communication designer, and Miguel de la Rosa, sales manager of LEDCity España, a Swiss-origin company that is making its way into the Spanish market thanks to a catalog of innovative lighting products that implement clean and smart technology. Their lighting solutions autonomously and dynamically control light to illuminate when it makes sense to do so, thus adapting not only the duration but also the intensity of each source to the actual and specific needs their customers demand.
A solution to succeed an obsolete technology
Fluorescent technology emerged in the mid-20th century when scientists from the American company General Electric managed to develop the fluorescent coating that allowed light tubes to emit a much brighter light than what already existed. In this way, with the widespread mindset of improving lighting, its global adoption was achieved. After multiple improvements in efficiency, durability, and light quality, fluorescent lighting has been challenged in recent years by the emergence of LED technology. The low efficiency of fluorescent tubes compared to this type of lighting has rendered them obsolete and led to their sales being banned in the European Union due to the presence of harmful materials such as mercury, cadmium, or lead. This is why it is urgent to complete this energy transition towards solutions with greater efficiency.
LED technology is more beneficial as it consumes less energy to produce the same amount of light; it emits less heat than other sources so that energy is converted directly into light, instead of dissipating as heat; it has a much longer lifespan than other lighting technologies, which minimizes the amount of waste and debris generated, positively impacting a lower consumption of carbon dioxide; it can turn on and reach full brightness instantly, and is versatile, as it directs light where it is needed, thereby reducing energy waste. It is a technology that has been working for over 50 years and is beneficial in the face of the commitments our society faces in terms of climate.
Enhance energy efficiency through technology
Technology plays a fundamental role in the development of energy efficiency to offer innovative solutions. Without technology, progress is impossible, therefore, it is the best ally to continue building a sustainable future. "Through the use of smart sensors, energy management systems, and monitoring devices, actions can be taken to reduce emissions of harmful gases and mitigate climate change. However, the impact of CO₂ is not only produced through consumption but also through waste. Extending the lifespan of products is essential to reduce waste, as there are fewer replacements to be made and, ultimately, less maintenance costs", states Miguel de la Rosa.
The solution proposed by LEDCity Spain is to integrate an equivalent to the DALI system within the tubes themselves in their semi-autonomous solutions. The DALI system is a communication standard used in lighting control systems that allows the connection between different devices providing a flexible way to control lighting allowing precise adjustments of intensity, scene programming, remote control, and monitoring of the device status."The DALI system is the most common one in the market. It is very complex and has many components external to the light. Installation and maintenance are much more expensive because you need more components and they are not as efficient, since the sensors do not only affect one tube and make the sensor's action less efficient", states Miguel de la Rosa.
The novelty of their products, in this case, is the integration of the components that manage this technology, namely, the motion sensor, the dusk sensor, the strips, and the control driver within each of the tubes. Thanks to this, the installation is much simpler and the energy efficiency is even greater. "Each tube has the intelligence integrated within itself. In this way, it responds to the sustainable approach of LEDCity Spain. Any tube can be changed or adapted without the need for a new installation or a complex exchange. Our solution is sustainably comprehensive: we not only seek the highest energy efficiency with our technology working with time and intensity parameters, but also the entire process up to installation and maintenance is carefully designed to provide a sustainable solution over time, which represents benefits both environmentally and for the customer", emphasizes Candela Guyot.
A project that opens doors
Collaborating with LEDCity in our NN Concept parking brought benefits from the very first moment all the lights were installed. Between July and August of 2023, the fluorescent lights were replaced with semi-autonomous technology that incorporates an integrated motion sensor, which can be configured to adjust the light intensity level that each tube will emit when no presence is detected. "The feature of this technology is that all the tubes are independent of each other. When the lights detect the presence of people or vehicles, the light will operate at full capacity and offers 100% of its intensity. On the other hand, when no presence is detected, our technology allows for a base level of lighting chosen by the customer with a lower intensity. This way, we have achieved a significant reduction compared to the technology previously used", comments Miguel de la Rosa.
At the NN Concept parking, semi-autonomous tubes have been installed that integrate control components and motion detection sensors to precisely adapt the lighting, characterized by their plug-and-play technology and high standards of quality. The changes from replacing the existing tubes were evident from the moment the new lighting fixtures were installed. An 86% reduction in consumption has been achieved, and while previously the lights were on at full intensity 24 hours a day, with the new system this time is reduced to an average of 2.1 hours per day. This precise work on the given and needed intensities, as well as the reduction in tracking times, extend the lifespan of the light sources and benefit the customer with significant savings.
Recognition for a job well done
LEDCity's decision to work towards sustainability has set the company's roadmap in its commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions and energy consumption. Thanks to this, they were awarded the Swiss Green Business Award, a prize that recognizes their commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and is given to companies that implement business practices promoting environmental protection, energy efficiency, and responsible resource management."The interesting thing about receiving the Swiss Green Business Award is that it generates a lot of interest in the product. Moreover, winning such an award brings great satisfaction to the team", says Miguel de la Rosa."We knew we could win because we believe in the solution we offer, although the recognition always helps. What's interesting is being able to transfer the prestige to the Spanish market. Projects like the one from Núñez i Navarro are important because they commit to a sustainable approach within their companies", he concludes.
Companies, which come from various economic sectors, are nominated and subsequently evaluated based on a wide range of criteria, but all share a commitment to sustainability. "Winning this award has a very big impact because it grants recognition and is a great achievement. Moreover, it sparks even more interest in our solution and is a guarantee that we are on the right track. Even so, receiving an award like this requires us to continue working constantly to stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainability," explains Candela Guyot.
Charting a sustainable future
Adopting sustainable business practices is a strategic decision that offers long-term benefits and paves the way towards a responsible and prosperous business future. "There is absolutely nothing to lose by investing, developing, and researching sustainable ways to reduce energy consumption. It's a win-win that benefits us as a society and as individuals. These solutions have a clear mission, a noble mission for the planet and society that help us progress until we find cleaner, cheaper, and more accessible energy for everyone", says Miguel de la Rosa. However, no matter how much progress has been made, there are still many tasks to be carried forward.
Due to the worrying environmental situation of our planet, in recent years there has been a significant increase in awareness to do everything possible regarding an issue that affects all people equally. Awareness campaigns, scientific dissemination, and access to information through the internet and social networks have contributed to spreading the ways to approach this fact and raise awareness, with the ultimate goal of reaching the maximum number of people. This shift in collective consciousness has led to more and more individuals and companies adopting more sustainable attitudes and behaviors in their daily lives. "Saving costs is a great way to commit to sustainable solutions. If you use everything saved in terms of energy efficiency and costs, you will have a greater profit margin to invest in other solutions to offer a better service to your customer. Committing to sustainability is key to achieving both business goals and social commitments", concludes Miguel de la Rosa.
