As the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP15 – continues into its second week, Philips is to show world leaders gathering in Copenhagen just how innovation in lighting technologies can help mayors and municipal leaders significantly improve energy efficiency in their cities.

Cities account for over 70% of global energy consumption and increasing urbanization will add to that burden: by 2050 more than 75% of the world’s population is expected to be living in cities and towns. Up to 50% of municipal electricity usage is attributed to lighting, and yet three-quarters of all installed public lighting today in cities relies on aging, inefficient lighting technology.

Philips is to highlight the ready availability of energy-efficient alternatives by performing a concept demonstration of an innovative solar-powered LED lighting solution outside the Bella Center – location of the main COP15 conference sessions.

Using a new LED outdoor luminaire from Philips, the installation is built around the innovative solar-powered Touché lamp pole designed by leading Danish architect Bjarne Schläger and supplied by Alfred Preiss. The pole is made from recyclable materials and incorporates highly energy-efficient silica-based solar cells integrated into the upright of the pole. Each pole is completely self-sufficient, effectively delivering 100% CO2 reduction in usage. Combined with the Philips luminaire, the complete solution is capable of making energy savings of up to 67% compared with conventional lamps used in urban environments.

Solar-powered Touché lamp pole (Credit: Philips)

Philips believes that the adoption of energy-efficient lighting solutions, such as the solar-powered LED concept in Copenhagen, could have a significant and rapid effect on lowering municipal electricity usage, of which up to 50% currently goes on lighting.

“Cities and city leaders have an important role to play in creating a more sustainable future,” says Marc de Jong, CEO of the Professional Lighting business within Philips. “The simple switch to intelligent, energy-efficient lighting for urban environments can have an enormous impact on CO2 emissions, cost reduction and the quality of life. We have lighting technologies available today which will enable cities to reap these benefits very quickly, if they are prepared to seize the opportunity to create sustainable places for people to live, work and do business.”

"LED lighting reduces costs, enhances public safety, minimizes light pollution and makes public spaces friendlier at night" adds Phil Jessup, global leader of The Climate Group's international LightSavers program, which is transforming how we light our world by bringing LEDs and smart controls to scale globally. “This proof-of-concept demonstration of a solar-powered, LED-based solution in Copenhagen perfectly complements the work of the LightSavers program, which includes Philips in trials of outdoor LEDs in a number of cities including London, Mumbai, New York, Tianjin, and Toronto."