LACROIX to help upgrade Oslo’s smart public lighting infrastructure
The Norwegian capital city Oslo aims to be at the forefront of modernity, making itself as environment-friendly as possible. True to its commitment, the 700,000-people city operates a public lighting network of close to 60,000 lampposts, 50% of which have already transitioned to LED and the remainder to transition in the coming years. Recently faced with energy price inflation, the city also has the ambition to make its infrastructure smarter.
Against this backdrop, it has selected LACROIX through its City activity to equip new LED lampposts with radio-based communication abilities. The equipment takes the form of a LACROIX Zhaga communication node set on top of each individual lamppost, as well as a gateway module installed in corresponding electrical cabinets. It allows connected management of light points through a scalable RF communication network and enables the control and remote management of street lighting equipment.
LACROIX has partnered with a local Norwegian partner providing software development (as well as first-line technical and training support), to offer a truly interoperable solution with multiple benefits. For the operator on the one hand, it is now possible to monitor and control the infrastructure, enabling switching on and off of equipped lights and modulation of light intensity based on actual nighttime, daytime, or day of the year local needs, and preventive maintenance, whether at the city, neighbourhood or individual lamppost level. On the other hand, the city administration itself can offer its constituents with a more attractive lighting infrastructure, optimised energy usage, minimised light pollution as well as effective prioritisation of infrastructure investments.
The contract has an initial duration of 2 years which may be prolonged by a year twice, for a maximum duration of 4 years, over which a minimum revenue of €1.5 million may be recorded done by equipping thousands of lampposts in the first instance. With the award taking place in June, and inaugural order in July, first deliveries have been made and installations are underway. LACROIX therefore expects to record the first financial impacts of this new commercial win over the course of the 2nd half of the year.
“We’re very happy with this new contract, which showcases our increased capacity to leverage our expertise in public lighting management internationally, on large-scale projects”, says Vincent SABOT, executive managing director of the city activity of LACROIX, “Not only did we secure a very significant customer at the forefront of the idea of Smart City as well as a prominent reference in the whole Nordic region where we’re currently focusing much of our efforts for City’s international expansion, but it is also a contract with very significant upside potential as the city may decide to go beyond its initial intent.”
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