The future will be brighter for at least one Jacksonville neighborhood this summer.
The city and JEA today announced a partnership with GE for an advanced LED street light technology system.
The result of the pilot program is expected to be energy savings and better asset management of the lights. That’s done by accessing real-time data by connecting to the “Industrial Internet” that integrates machinery with software.
The city and JEA are expected to begin the program this summer in yet-to-be-determined locations.
Downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods are being reviewed to best utilize the technology.
Jacksonville will be the first East Coast city for the program. San Diego was the first city to partner with GE this year.
Lighting software Predix, GE’s software platform that connects machines, data and people to improvement performance, and the company’s LightGrid system will be part of the initiative.
LightGrid reports energy usage and other data points of each streetlight through wireless communication and can be controlled remotely.
According to a story on GE’s website, the LED lights installed in San Diego’s Downtown District are 40 percent to 60 percent more efficient than high-intensity discharge lamps. They also have a lifespan of more than 11 years based on 12 hours of use per day.
In addition, the story talks about how such technology can lower continuous costs for cities by allowing for preventive maintenance.
A January news release about the San Diego project said annual energy savings were estimated at $254,000 for the implementation of replacing 3,000 city lamps.
The Jacksonville pilot program is expected to start with about 50 lights.
“This technology has the potential to transform how our city solves problems by allowing us to use the power of data to drive outcomes that give us flexibility, efficiency and new, creative actions to enhance life in our city,” said Mayor Alvin Brown.
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