
Smart lighting pilot project in San Sebastian Municipality
SPAIN, SAN SEBASTIAN MUNICIPALITY
Spain, Street lighting, Adaptive lighting, LED retrofitting, Lighting control, Remote management, IoT integration, Public-Private Partnerships
Overview
This pilot project in San Sebastian municipality involved replacing 90 outdated lampposts with smart LED lighting in two circuits, featuring 52 and 38 lamps respectively. The new system includes energy-efficient LED lamps (from Philips and Leycolan) and a smart remote-control system with centralized cabinets and concentrators that enable two-way communication with each lamppost. Each light now acts as an intelligent node on a LAN over the power grid, allowing integration of IP devices and IoT services. The system includes advanced adaptive dimming that adjusts light intensity based on pedestrian or vehicle presence and weather conditions. Prior to the upgrade, the area had no performance monitoring and consumed high amounts of energy. This project demonstrates how public administrations can turn conventional lighting into smart, sustainable infrastructure that enhances safety, efficiency, and urban attractiveness. However, high upfront costs should be addressed through public-private partnerships to ensure financial feasibility.RESULTS
- Energy reduction 50,000 kWh/year (approximately 60%)
- Cost saving (maintenance + energy cost) 10,649 €/year
- 20,000 kg CO2 /year saved
2016-2020
FINANCING
Total investment cost: 49,500 € on PPP
Departament of Project and Construction Engineering, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya
Francesc Pardo-Bosch