How smart lighting can support the EU’s coronavirus recovery

But there’s a concern that the unprecedented sum of funding may cause panic, leading to rushed plans that neglect climate-friendly goals. Lighting can help achieve those goals.

Not only is it essential for daily tasks but, as we develop smarter technologies, lighting allows for a more connected world.

The more buildings that use connected lighting the faster we can reap the benefits of digitalizing the built environment. And this – connectivity and modernization – is at the centre of the Commission’s seven points of focus for recovery and resilience.

Smart poles, like Brightsites from Signify can double as IT service nodes, housing 4G/5G and WiFi, which councils can hire out to telecommunications companies. All streetlights in the system can be equipped with security cameras, microphones and sensors, which can help detect crime or accidents and automatically alert the emergency services.

Through increasing or decreasing brightness depending on detected footfall, smart street lighting can help residents feel safer and encourage locals to be out and about in the evening.

NatureConnect, meanwhile, resembles an artificial skylight. First implemented in Skanska’s offices in Warsaw, this innovation mimics the rhythm of daylight and creates the perception of space beyond the ceiling. Extra effects can simulate nature, like shadows cast from palm fronds in a gentle breeze.

“Research shows that quality lighting significantly impacts how we feel and how effective we are,” said Katarzyna Zawodna-Bijoch, President and CEO at Skanska’s commercial development business in Central Eastern Europe. She added, “Many companies are shifting their approach and realize that investing in employee health and wellbeing is paying off.”

Within the home, lighting is equally as important with products like Philips Hue, a range of smart lights that can be finely controlled to provide a warm ambience, transforming the atmosphere in a home or enhancing a particular mood.

Now the city has futureproofed its existing lighting infrastructure with new IoT software.

And according to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, energy efficiency is a “job machine” that creates “jobs, jobs, jobs.”

More so than other technologies working towards more efficient energy systems, like HVAC, insulation or building management, smart lighting is relatively easy and speedy to implement. And on its most basic level is as quick and simple as changing a light bulb.

Of course, to bring real benefits and recover from the impacts of COVID-19, it’s far more complicated than that, but installing smart lighting is a start.

We need to unlock the potential of all energy efficiency technologies for the built environment, but lighting, because of its high potential savings, ease of implementation, and digital nature, can pave the way.

When the lighting transition is done faster, it paves the way for further integration of digital technologies.

Lighting is no longer the low hanging fruit in the fight against climate change. Rather, it is the fruit laying by the tree on the ground – we just need to pick it up.