Power Consumption of Street Lighting in Cork County Ireland

CASE STUDY OF POWER CONSUMPTION
FOR ESB AND CORK COUNTY IRELAND
PROVES 30.77% SAVINGS IN STREET LIGHTING 
   

ABSTRACT
An independent study for ESB and the Cork County Council identified 30% savings in electricity costs when the LEC A was installed and tested on a street lighting circuit. ESB supplies electricity and maintains for Cork County street lighting. An independent consulting company performed the controlled measurement testing of power consumption and recorded the findings. Results concluded a 30.77% savings on electricity costs could be achieved*. 

POSSIBLE SAVINGS
County Cork covers an area of 7,459 square kilometers (2,880 square miles) with over 7,500 miles of public roads. The current annual cost of public lighting is €3.4 million. With a 30% reduction in this cost, the city can possibly save over €1 million in public lighting costs.

STUDY PARAMETERS
The Study consisted of the controlled measurement of Power Consumption on a street lighting circuit consisting of 24 street lights on photocell triggers. The LEC was connected within the junction box, and the measurement device (Amprobe PQ55A) was connected to the LEC.  

METHOD
The study consisted of 2 distinct periods of one week. The “Initial Period” measured the normal usage over the period of one week. The “Controlled Usage Period” was the power consumption when using the LEC unit. Over these two weeks, the lights were on an average of 8.5 hours per night, and measurement readings were taken every 5 minutes. 

CONCLUSIONS
The study revealed that the average weekly usage of power was 300.51KWh without the LEC, and 209.80KWh with the LEC. Overall savings generated equals 30.77% of KWh.  

*Full report is available upon request.