STONY PLAIN, AB – Stony Plain streets could soon be a little brighter and safer, if the results of one of the largest Light-Emitting Diode (LED) streetlight test project in Alberta, which will be conducted in the community, yield positive results.
The Town of Stony Plain has been selected to participate in FortisAlberta’s LED Streetlight Community Assessment. Coordinated in concert with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), this one-year project was approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission as part of FortisAlberta’s 2010-11 rate application.
Joelle Lamontagne, program manager of energy efficiency with FortisAlberta, and Brian Jackowich, senior director of energy and new services with AUMA, delivered a presentation about the project to Council at the regular council meeting on May 24, 2011. Council unanimously authorized the Town to enter a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town, FortisAlberta and the AUMA for the assessment.
”I want to thank FortisAlberta and the AUMA for choosing our community for this exciting project," says Ken Lemke, mayor of Stony Plain. ”The Town is recognized as a leader in environmental efficiencies, and we really do believe that saving energy is part of our responsibility. We eagerly look forward to hearing the results of this assessment, which could have a positive impact in our community."
BACKGROUND
In Sept. 2008, the AUMA produced a paper, in collaboration with Alberta Environment, entitled Urban Municipal Action on Climate Change Environmental Scan, which supports alternatives to existing outdoor lighting with the aim of reducing energy consumption.
With the emergence of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting technology over the past few years – and in response to the AUMA’s paper, which highlighted municipalities’ desire to reduce their operating costs and energy consumption, FortisAlberta is delivering the LED Streetlight Community Assessment to respond to this customer need.
After a year-long study of different LED streetlights, FortisAlberta has selected a suitable streetlight to begin this assessment in Alberta communities.
At no additional cost to these selected municipalities, FortisAlberta will install LED streetlights in three geographically diverse Alberta communities during 2011, with the data being gathered and studied over a period of at least one year. FortisAlberta and the AUMA also selected the Town of Okotoks and the Town of Innisfail.
ABOUT LED TECHNOLOGY
LED technology for lighting is not new; however, while LED technology for traffic signals is 80 to 90 per cent more efficient and typically lasts ten times longer than traditional light fixtures, its application to street lighting and yard lighting is characterized as an emerging technology and warrants a test approach. Possible benefits and measurements of success from the project may include:
*Download / open Image 3 for list of Benefits*
FortisAlberta and the AUMA are implementing this test project as an assessment of the feasibility of LED streetlights. The parties are not endorsing the equipment selected and used, but intend to deliver an assessment that would facilitate the use of new energy efficient technologies beneficial for customers. If the results of the assessment are positive, the LED lighting will remain installed in the community. The operational assessment period will conclude by December 31, 2012 with the results presented to Town Council by March 31, 2013.
THE TOWN AND LED LIGHTING
In 2010, the Town converted two sets of traffic control lights and overhead lights at five pedestrian crossings from conventional incandescent lighting to LED lighting. As well, four solar-powered LED lights were installed at two new pedestrian crossings.
In addition, six new solar-powered LED lights were installed along the Town’s public trail system, complementing four that were installed along the trail and two in a community playground in 2009.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Town is committed to protecting its natural resources and promoting responsible consumption patterns that encourage living within our ecological limits. Environmental Responsibility is one of the four core values of the Community Sustainability Plan, which governs how the Town of Stony Plain conducts business.
ABOUT FORTISALBERTA
As an owner and operator of more than 60 per cent of Alberta’s total electric distribution network, including 112,000 kilometres of power lines, FortisAlberta’s focus is the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our almost half a million customers in more than 200 growing communities across Alberta (Source: FortisAlberta).
ABOUT THE AUMA
Founded in 1905, the AUMA represents Alberta’s 284 urban municipalities, including cities, towns, villages, summer villages and specialized municipalities, as well as Associate and Affiliate members. The AUMA is a dynamic and evolving association, which represents and advocates the interests of all members to both the provincial and federal governments as well as to other provincial and federal organizations.
The Town of Stony Plain has been selected to participate in FortisAlberta’s LED Streetlight Community Assessment. Coordinated in concert with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA), this one-year project was approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission as part of FortisAlberta’s 2010-11 rate application.
Joelle Lamontagne, program manager of energy efficiency with FortisAlberta, and Brian Jackowich, senior director of energy and new services with AUMA, delivered a presentation about the project to Council at the regular council meeting on May 24, 2011. Council unanimously authorized the Town to enter a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town, FortisAlberta and the AUMA for the assessment.
”I want to thank FortisAlberta and the AUMA for choosing our community for this exciting project," says Ken Lemke, mayor of Stony Plain. ”The Town is recognized as a leader in environmental efficiencies, and we really do believe that saving energy is part of our responsibility. We eagerly look forward to hearing the results of this assessment, which could have a positive impact in our community."
BACKGROUND
In Sept. 2008, the AUMA produced a paper, in collaboration with Alberta Environment, entitled Urban Municipal Action on Climate Change Environmental Scan, which supports alternatives to existing outdoor lighting with the aim of reducing energy consumption.
With the emergence of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting technology over the past few years – and in response to the AUMA’s paper, which highlighted municipalities’ desire to reduce their operating costs and energy consumption, FortisAlberta is delivering the LED Streetlight Community Assessment to respond to this customer need.
After a year-long study of different LED streetlights, FortisAlberta has selected a suitable streetlight to begin this assessment in Alberta communities.
At no additional cost to these selected municipalities, FortisAlberta will install LED streetlights in three geographically diverse Alberta communities during 2011, with the data being gathered and studied over a period of at least one year. FortisAlberta and the AUMA also selected the Town of Okotoks and the Town of Innisfail.
ABOUT LED TECHNOLOGY
LED technology for lighting is not new; however, while LED technology for traffic signals is 80 to 90 per cent more efficient and typically lasts ten times longer than traditional light fixtures, its application to street lighting and yard lighting is characterized as an emerging technology and warrants a test approach. Possible benefits and measurements of success from the project may include:
*Download / open Image 3 for list of Benefits*
FortisAlberta and the AUMA are implementing this test project as an assessment of the feasibility of LED streetlights. The parties are not endorsing the equipment selected and used, but intend to deliver an assessment that would facilitate the use of new energy efficient technologies beneficial for customers. If the results of the assessment are positive, the LED lighting will remain installed in the community. The operational assessment period will conclude by December 31, 2012 with the results presented to Town Council by March 31, 2013.
THE TOWN AND LED LIGHTING
In 2010, the Town converted two sets of traffic control lights and overhead lights at five pedestrian crossings from conventional incandescent lighting to LED lighting. As well, four solar-powered LED lights were installed at two new pedestrian crossings.
In addition, six new solar-powered LED lights were installed along the Town’s public trail system, complementing four that were installed along the trail and two in a community playground in 2009.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Town is committed to protecting its natural resources and promoting responsible consumption patterns that encourage living within our ecological limits. Environmental Responsibility is one of the four core values of the Community Sustainability Plan, which governs how the Town of Stony Plain conducts business.
ABOUT FORTISALBERTA
As an owner and operator of more than 60 per cent of Alberta’s total electric distribution network, including 112,000 kilometres of power lines, FortisAlberta’s focus is the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our almost half a million customers in more than 200 growing communities across Alberta (Source: FortisAlberta).
ABOUT THE AUMA
Founded in 1905, the AUMA represents Alberta’s 284 urban municipalities, including cities, towns, villages, summer villages and specialized municipalities, as well as Associate and Affiliate members. The AUMA is a dynamic and evolving association, which represents and advocates the interests of all members to both the provincial and federal governments as well as to other provincial and federal organizations.