Lif smart city lighting system

In July 2020, a Selux Smart City pilot installation was commissioned in front of the headquarters of Energieversorgung Leverkusen GmbH & Co. KG (EVL). A Lif light column, complemented by various Smart City add-on modules, and two Avanza luminaires equipped with intelligent infrastructure now offer much more than optimal lighting quality.

Better orientation, more information, greater safety: connected technologies today have enormous potential to improve quality of life in urban areas. More and more municipalities are recognising the opportunities of digitalisation. The “Smart City” Solingen has already become a pioneer in the development of intelligent street lighting in Germany. Now the neighbouring city of Leverkusen is following suit: as part of a Smart City concept, EVL, responsible for operating the city’s street lighting, developed a multifunctional test installation with smart additional services.

At the parking areas on Overfeldweg in front of the EVL headquarters, the existing lighting systems were retrofitted. The heart of the pilot installation is the minimalist Selux Lif light column, individually configured for the pilot project. The primary functions of general and pathway lighting are handled by the top element, equipped with a 4-fold Tritec optic, and the pathway module. Beneath these lighting tools is an RGB accent element – a light ring that can shine in single or mixed colours. In the evening, it emits blue accent light, coordinated with the energy provider’s corporate design; in an emergency, it changes colour and the ring begins to flash red.

The modular Lif design offers ideal conditions for the integration of smart functions. Functional modules such as a camera, a WiFi element, and a speaker module integrate seamlessly into the system. Beyond the smart features, an air quality sensor has been installed to measure seven different parameters, including temperature, humidity, air pressure, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3). An additional connected sensor transmits real-time particulate matter levels. The light column also features a so-called Smart Door with two illuminated buttons – Info and SOS – as well as a microphone, allowing users to place an emergency call at the push of a button. These small details can significantly enhance personal safety in public spaces – a key factor in a city’s quality of life.

During the lighting retrofit, the planners had one thing clear: lighting should serve well-being. Along the test route, in addition to the smart Lif light column, two Avanza 600 luminaires equipped with Zhaga connectors and ICE Gateway Z-Controllers were installed. This allows all lighting parameters to be easily adjusted from a desktop and tailored to the specific usage needs.

client: Energieversorgung Leverkusen GmbH & Co. KG (EVL)

emergency call system: Schneider-Intercom

lighting control and air quality monitoring: ICE Gateway

particulate matter sensor: Greatech

photographer: Tobias Vollmer