Supporting Flanders’ Smart Region Journey
Schréder lights the world’s most innovative regions. From rural bike paths where protecting local wildlife is key, to apron lighting to keep airports moving, we offer effective solutions for projects of every size. Since the turn of the century, the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionised the lighting sector. With unprecedented ways to connect luminaires, sensors and systems, lighting providers can save energy and enhance their service offer on projects of every size.
Schréder 360 is a series where we hear from project owners and managers, end users and our own engineers about the genesis of innovative solutions. In this edition, we shine a light on the work of one of our biggest customers here in Belgium. Distribution System Operator Fluvius works across the Flanders to bring light, energy and sewerage management to millions of customers in northern Belgium.
They manage 1.2 million light points for 300 Flemish cities and municipalities, replacing lamps and repairing defects. Working with approximately 5,400 colleagues, their focus is on building future grids, with a pleasant living environment for everyone, and smooth management of the energy transition for a climate-neutral world. Schréder has supported them on projects large and small, as they strive to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Flemish government’s coalition agreement and the climate objectives of the Flemish municipalities. The initial goal was to switch all the lights in Flanders to LED by the end of 2030 but this has been moved forward to 2028 at the request of the municipalities.
All Lights to LED
Fluvius’s plan is to convert the 1.2 million lighting points it manages on Flemish roads to LED technology. Since 2015, every single lighting upgrade or replacement on roads and streets has been completed with LED luminaires only. Half of Flanders’ lighting points – 600,000 luminaires – are now equipped with LEDs. That has driven a 30% reduction in energy use since 2015, which equates to around 30,876 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. By completion, the transition is expected to save up to €54 million annually on energy costs.
Schréder has always worked to optimise the efficiency of its lighting solutions to help towns and cities. It’s been an honour to put the expertise we’ve gained into the hands of Fluvius, so they can create safe, sustainably-lit spaces for citizens.
While much of the energy saving is due to converting the light fittings from legacy systems to LED, another wave is down to embracing smart technologies. By using a smart lighting system in combination with controller nodes to connect thousands of lighting points, Fluvius enables cities and municipalities to dim or switch off the lights during the quietest hours of the night to save even more energy.
Smart lighting provides optimised light levels for nature, pavements and roads that feel safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike, and an infrastructure in time for sensors that can improve services. (It should be noted that Fluvius manages the grid, poles and luminaires in urban areas; motorway lighting is a separate competence controlled by the Flemish government).
Innovation in a Classic Setting
One of Fluvius’ flagship projects has been transforming the lighting in Bruges, where the medieval centre is a UNESCO World Heritage List. This means any street furniture updates have to be considered very carefully, including the upgrade of over 2,700 of the city’s iconic dark green lanterns. We worked with the city and Fluvius to replicate these lanterns with new smart lighting.
Over 2,700 smart customised lanterns are enabling the city of Bruges to save energy
As well as the new LED unit, and a diffuser underneath to recreate that warm glow, we fitted a NEMA communication node on top. These are connected to the Schréder EXEDRA smart lighting system, giving Fluvius, and the city, unprecedented control over its lighting network. Lights can be switched on and off, and dimmed remotely, saving on maintenance and energy costs.
We’ve already switched 70% of the lights in Bruges to LED, greatly reducing our energy consumption. We are also able to dim the lights to a level of 30% or even 50%, something we were not able to do with the regular street lights.
Evolving with the Customer
'All lights to LED' is a long-term project, and we have worked with Fluvius every step of the way. This includes small changes that make a big difference, such as the communication nodes used on luminaires. For a quick explanation of NEMA and Zhaga nodes, and their differences, read our handy guide here.
A smart lighting system like System EXEDRA gives users the scalability to grow their connected network. So for some more recent projects we have switched to Zhaga. The pin fittings, lower power drain and smaller size have all contributed to making them easier to fit on decorative lanterns. Fluvius is also a member of the Zhaga Consortium, for further standardisation of connected lighting solutions.
Open Systems, Smarter Lighting
“The importance of data management can hardly be underestimated,“ Frank Vanbrabant, CEO of Fluvius, said when discussing the company’s energy business with KPMG; Fluvius has rolled out a EUR4 billion energy transition investment plan, spread over ten years. The same is true of lighting, where Fluvius is investing around EUR €120 million per year until 2026.
Fluvius is working with three different companies, including Schréder, to supply connected luminaires. Across Flanders, towns and villages have a wide range of lighting needs, so the Central Management System (CMS) needs to be compatible with a broad range of assets.
Interoperable systems exist thanks to global standards supported by large communities and alliances, such as TALQ. Founded in 2012, the TALQ consortium offers a leading interface standard for smart city device networks. Fluvius wanted to use TALQ protocol to communicate with their other platforms. TALQ 2.5 was a real turning point, which made it much easier to collect and manage data from street lighting installations. The Schréder EXEDRA smart lighting platform can communicate all this, unlike systems which are only compliant with TALQ 2.3.
The Schréder EXEDRA CMS and Gateway are both TALQ 2.5 certified, making it easier to collect and manage data from street lights
Fluvius is a regular participant in TALQ Requirements Workgroup meetings; providing the consortium with valuable customer feedback and allowing partners to submit new requirements that will shape the future of the protocol. Fluvius’ suggestions have helped to incorporate state-of-the-art technology for efficient, reliable and cost-effective lighting asset management.
"TALQ's existing framework for controlling and monitoring interactive luminaires aligns well with our operational needs," Filip Smets, a Materials and Methods Expert at Fluvius, told LEDs magazine. "As a TALQ partner, we're excited to contribute with our expertise." With all assets connected, optimising light levels becomes a whole lot simpler.
Security by Design
With data comes the need for data security. Taking into account Fluvius’ energy and heat networks as well, the company manages an impressive 3.8 million internet connections. At Schréder, we understand the importance of privacy and security for all customers.
Smart systems should include the highest levels of cybersecurity, and be regularly tested and audited to ensure the data remains private, safe and secure. There should be secure policies and rules at every layer, from the luminaire, to the communication system, to the app in the hand of Fluvius.
ISO 27001 is the world’s most widely recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) and provides organisations with guidance for keeping data secure; the Schréder EXEDRA CMS is ISO 27001 certified, so Fluvius knows that its customers’ lighting data is safe.
Maintenance, Predicted
Municipalities across Flanders are saving energy and money by optimising lighting. As lighting gets better, citizens expect more: street lighting is an essential service and maintaining uninterrupted operations is therefore essential. From the pretty towns served by the Kusttram to cities such as Gent, Bruges and Antwerp, effective lighting is needed to keep Flanders moving.
Smart lighting platforms like Schréder EXEDRA provide real-time monitoring, with instant access to the status of each connected luminaire. There is improved visibility of where problems are within system, and in future, inventory management systems should be integrated to the platform.
Fluvius can easily access data, such as geolocation (map view), and an ID or QR code search tool to facilitate work on faulty luminaires and maximise the efficiency of the field team. Over time, this should enable predictive maintenance, where potential problems are identified and resolved before they occur. This strategic approach will extend the lifespan of assets, maximises uptime, and further reduces intervention costs – helping cities achieve their circular economy targets.
Coming Full Circle in Ninove
Fluvius is helping the city of Ninove switch to LED, upgrading an impressive 525 street lights per year. Graanmarkt, an attractive, busy square in the city centre, has been equipped with warm white LEDs that create a cosy ambiance at night so residents can enjoy the facilities, especially the water fountain, after dark.
Smart FLEXIA BRASO street lights are enabling the city of Ninove to reduce its carbon emissions
It was one of the first installations to feature the FLEXIA BRASO. Designed to help cities reduce their environmental footprint, it has a low energy consumption – just 27W.
FLEXIA BRASO was the perfect solution for Graanmarkt. It enhances the landscape by day and by night while helping the city to build a more sustainable lighting network that will reduce its carbon footprint.
Ready for Tomorrow
“This project has been a real journey with Fluvius,” says Schréder’s Niko Smets. “We have learnt a lot from each other, including the commissioning process, what works for cities towns and villages, and how to roll out smart systems that help customers save energy and improve urban living.”
Fluvius will convert 130,000 lighting fixtures annually over the next few years, a significant increase on the 100,000 fixtures it has replaced in recent years. With Fluvius’ mindset for innovation, smart systems, and engaged, open-minded partners, Flanders has a bright future.