LIGHT MANAGEMENT BY SWARCO V.S.M.

Street lighting, as well as lighting at industrial and commercial sites, is in most cases characterised by outdated equipment, low energy efficiency, a need for intensive maintenance and – consequently – high operating costs. A modernisation of the lighting equipment and an optimisation of operations does not only make sense in economic terms, but is mandatory on the basis of several laws and regulations. In street lighting, one third of all lamps in service (high-pressure mercury lamps) and many other electric components with low efficiency have to be taken off the market until 2015, as fixed in the European Union’s ErP- (Energy-related Products) directive.

This is reasonable, because energy accounts for about half of the total costs of street lighting. The economic relevance of a modernisation becomes obvious when the high potential for energy savings is taken into consideration. On average, the energy consumption of street lighting can be reduced by about 50 %. A reduction of 80 % can be achieved with the latest technology, as utilised in the FUTURLUX LED lights, in connection with "intelligent" controls, which automatically adapt the lighting to the current traffic situation. In most cities, however, sufficient investment in modernisation has been postponed, due to public budget constraints. Many of these municipalities have contracts that expire in the next few years. The new contracts will then be tendered Europe-wide.

Tailor-made concepts for modernisation, operation and financing of lighting systems, as now offered by SWARCO, are in high demand. Investments are included in the operator’s fees, which will usually still be lower than previously, if the contract periods are long enough. This offer does not only focus on cities, but on industrial and commercial sites as well, which often use outdated, inefficient lighting technology. The contracting of new equipment has an immediate advantage for the customer, without the need for a contractor to interfere in the customer’s core processes.

On the basis of a high market potential and in line with the existing activities of the SWARCO Group, an entry into the "light management" business was thoroughly analysed and structured during the past months. Germany was chosen as the first, very attractive market. Other countries will be considered at a later stage. The decision to position SWARCO V.S.M. GmbH as leading company proved to be a success. The widespread network of business locations provides cost-efficient regional presence, which is an important success factor. For the initial contact with potential customers, SWARCO V.S.M. can resort to the network of SWARCO TRAFFIC SYSTEMS and DAMBACH. The technology used by SWARCO V.S.M. comes from all market leading providers. This, of course, also includes FUTURLUX street lights. The existing staff is being complemented by additional specialists with a high level of expertise in lighting technology and planning, as well as in flexible models for operational management and contracting and PPP (Public Private Partnership) to be able to meet the customers’ demands.

Contact:

SWARCO V.S.M. GmbH, Berlin
Dr.-Ing. Matthias Hessling
T. +49-30-6322291-200
E. beleuchtung@swarco.com