KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality in partnership with the department of energy will soon commence with a R6-million project for the installation of new LED streetlights, but some residents have expressed concern over whether the LED lights are really beneficial in the long term.

Richard Alkemade, who owns Blue Planet Power and has more than 20 years' experience in renewable energy, raised several issues in response to the announcement:

"I do not suggest that high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights are definitely better than LED (light-emitting diode), but the suggestion should be tested and the results evaluated to ensure the municipality isn't duped into replacing a working fleet of lights for an expensive, less efficient system and thereby wasting valuable taxpayers' money," he said.

But is it as bright?
As an example, he questioned whether LED lights emit a light as bright as traditional lights, and cited a possible security issue.

In response to this concern, the municipality said the light produced by LED is much brighter and illuminates a greater area.

Alkemade refuted this, stating that HPS bulbs emit a yellow glare versus the white emanating from LED lights. "White light may give better clarity in low-light scenarios but in itself doesn't necessarily produce more light. If the supplier or municipality can supply a specification sheet reflecting the light levels in lux or lumen this would be very helpful," he said.

'Expensive to replace'
Alkemade also said that although LED lights last longer, when they need replacement it's not as simple as changing a globe. The entire fitting has to be replaced, which is expensive, he said. The municipality countered this argument saying that the luminaire (fitting) required will have a mid-hinge system that enables the maintenance to be done on site without having to remove the entire fitting and to allow integration of future technological development of LED and power supply.

"All the parts are interchangeable – there will be no need to change the whole fitting," the municipality clarified.

To this, Alkemade responded, "If the systems are such that maintenance can be carried out on site then presumably the lamps can be sourced locally from the usual electrical suppliers and the cost thereof would be reasonable. If the lamp needs to be imported or is only available from the supplier of the light fittings, this could pose a problem in future if this source is compromised."

Surges during load shedding?
Asked about the surge in power when load shedding affects Knysna, and the possible damage that can be done to LED fittings, the municipality said the lights have an internal protector device that can withstand surges of up to 10kV/10KA and can be replaced when damaged.

It added that last year, the department of energy allocated funding to the municipality and that the purpose of this project is to ensure that the municipality participates in the national energy efficiency and demand side management programme, to save energy.

According to the municipality, the work will be rolled out in phases over a three-year period in the Knysna CBD, Hornlee, northern areas and Sedgefield.

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