Of the work planned for 2024, twenty-three projects have already been completed, two are in progress and eleven will get under way from September. The goal is to improve the sensation of light in streets through LED technology, to correct dark spots and implement new technologies to foster energy savings. Besides the sense of light, the idea is to create more uniform light and improve the sensation of security and comfort, with more efficient and sustainable systems.

Work is currently under way in C/ Camèlies, where lighting is being completely revamped: 52 streetlights and 800 metres of cables are being changed. The new lights being installed here have two points of light, one focusing on the road surface and the other on the pavement to ensure good illumination and uniformity where needed. Control panels for these lights are also being improved, enabling them to be remotely controlled and regulated.

A similar project was executed this month in the Fort Pienc neighbourhood, in L’Eixample, in the streets of Nàpols and Sicília, between Aragó and Gran Via, and in the streets of Consell de Cent and Diputació, between Nàpols and Sicília.

157,000 points of light in Barcelona

The city has 157,000 lights, 35% of which use LED technology. In all, lighting in the city has a power potential of 16,300 kW and an annual consumption of 67 GWh, representing 20% of all energy consumption.

All the projects to renew and improve it are being worked on together with each district to identify where improvements are needed. Projects are being developed with the following criteria:

• Improved sensation of light, not necessarily more light but better distributed and directed.
• LED technology, with efficient white light helping to improve comfort.
• Greater uniformity of light to avoid light stains.
• More lights on pavements and priority for pedestrian areas.
• Pavement lighting at lower heights (below 5 metres) and always beneath the tree canopy.
• Different colour temperature for pavements and slip roads, providing warmth for pedestrians and distinguishing spaces for vehicles and spaces for people.
• More remote management, providing more energy efficiency and optimisation of operations with control systems and regulation.

Security criteria with the gender perspective are also being introduced:

• White light with LED technology, enabling light to be better distributed and providing a better sense of light and greater security.
• Elimination of dark spots to provide more light continuity around routes.
• Greater uniformity of and regularity of light levels.
• Introduction of control and regulation systems for switching lighting on and off in different spaces and for other uses.

Backing for efficient management

The goal is to renew control devices, boost remote management and improve communication systems. Lighting points are managed through 2,582 control panels, with work to be carried out to make these remotely controlled in 2028.

In all, the idea is to achieve three goals:

1.   Zero power cuts in streets, the service provision rate stands at 99,9%
2.   Zero power defects
3.   Zero mechanical failures

To this end, parallel maintenance work is being carried out during the process to renew and improve lighting, including the identification and repair of defects, preventive maintenance tasks, programmed cleaning and replacement of lights and usual maintenance, checking all installations.