According to a news published on the Internet portal www.construible.es, the City Council of Acorcón (Madrid), in Spain, has begun to implement LED technology in all traffic lights in the city, which would save up to 75% of energy. This news was announced by the mayor of the city, Enrique Cascallana, and with it is intended the replacement of the incandescent bulbs of the traffic lights by LED technology before the end of the year.
As explained by Cascallana, the project, with an investment of 622,000 euros, aims to replace all traffic lights in its entirety in the remainder of the year. This initiative is part of the Aid Program of the Institute for the Diversification of Energy Savings (IDAE), which has made an economic contribution of 214,000 euros.
With the implementation of LED technology in these traffic actors, a reduction in consumption of 75% and the elimination of CO2 emissions will be achieved. "It is estimated that only 5% of the energy consumed is light, while the remaining 95% is dissipated in heat, so it is a very polluting system," Cascallana said.
Other benefits for the city after the implementation of the system is that road operation and light efficiency will be improved, while maintenance costs will be reduced, since as pointed out by the Mayor of the City Council, the technology has a useful life of 10 years, compared to the 6 months or a year that the traditional system has. The first phase is already in execution and will be complemented by a second that will conclude in December of this year with the full implementation of the initiative in all traffic lights in the city.
"In short, it is a measure for energy savings and the environment, so we can say that Alcorcón at the end of 2008 will have replaced all lamps with LED technology thanks to the agreement with the IDAE that makes it possible" concluded the councilor.
