Internet of Things controls street lighting

Smart lighting control is an example of how the Internet of Things can generate real financial savings by embedding intelligence and connectivity into everyday objects. TTP is working on applications from controlling and optimising home energy systems to sensors embedded in smart orthopaedic implants for remote monitoring. With predictions that the IoT will connect up to 50 billion devices by 2020, smart street lighting is just the tip of the iceberg.

Using the smart lighting control node, the Mayflower CMS (central management system) now controls and monitors in excess of 180,000 street lights, bollards and signs in the UK and Ireland. Orders for the innovative product have now reached 300,000 nodes. The biggest installation in Hampshire has over 90,000 Mayflower nodes fitted with a further 50,000 to be installed over the next 12 months making it the largest single street-lighting CMS in the world. This has allowed Hampshire County Council to reduce CO2 emissions by around 4000 tonnes, equivalent to 1600 cars every year.

Mayflower’s product range includes both external and internal solutions, which give the ability to monitor and control a range of installations from high masts and street lights to illuminated bollards and signs. All nodes communicate via a Zigbee self-healing mesh network, connected to Mayflower’s back-office solution via a secured GSM Internet connection mounted to the network coordinator. 

Commenting on the project, TTP’s project manager Richard Sims said, “TTP believes that innovative solutions to manage and reduce energy consumption are key to a sustainable future, both in the UK and worldwide. Mayflower approached us with aggressive cost, performance and reliability targets – and our experience in design for manufacture, wireless systems and cost engineering allowed us to achieve those goals. We’re pleased to be part of this significant Smart City development.”

Pat Mitchell, Mayflower’s Director, commented, “It is testament to the dedicated team of professionals at Mayflower and TTP that this achievement has been reached. Mayflower continues to go from strength to strength, meeting the requirements of its existing customers while increasing sales in the UK and exploring opportunities overseas. Market requirement continues to develop and our policy to listen and adapt to customer requirements is the key to Mayflower’s existing and future success."