San Diego announced today that it will illuminate its downtown district with GE Lighting’s intelligent lighting system, including LED street lighting, making it the first city in the United States to adopt GE’s LightGrid™ technology. The new system, set to be in place by spring of this year, will offer improved and energy-efficient lighting that will save the city more than a quarter-million dollars in energy costs each year.

GE’s LED Street Lighting Solution with LightGrid™ Wireless Controls. (LEDinside/GE Lighting)

Highlights of the project include:

• System installation began earlier this month; completed by spring 2014

• Energy savings to San Diego estimated at US$ 254,000 annually

• Full implementation of project to replace 3,000 city lamps

• Innovative technology with GPS location features, allowing for an accurate measurement of energy usage by individual street light

• Custom engineered decorative street lights that embed the wireless controls technology to retain their historic appearance

• The new system will not only enhance the city’s street lighting but will also revolutionize urban lighting systems with technology that self-commissions to the LightGrid network and provides accurate energy metering per light pole, allowing municipalities to pay for the energy they actually use. 

GE's LightGrid. (LEDinside/GE)

GE’s customized LED street lights with wireless lighting controls are expected to save the city of San Diego upwards of US$ 254,000 annually.

 “Light controls are going to be a game changer for the city of San Diego,” said Todd Gloria, interim mayor, City of San Diego. “This innovation will provide us with real-time data on lights that are malfunctioning or not working at all, so communities can feel safe with improved lighting while the historic look of the lights is preserved.” 

“We are extremely proud of the many benefits that our LED and LightGrid technology will have on San Diego and cities throughout the world,” said Maryrose Sylvester, president and CEO, GE Lighting. “San Diego’s installation introduces a technology that provides significant energy savings. Once installed, the technology will allow the city to shine smarter. We’re looking forward to seeing this technology benefit San Diego and other cities across the globe.”

“The city of San Diego chose to move to LED street lighting largely because it allows for customizable brightness,” said Lorie Cosio-Azar, project officer, City of San Diego Environmental Services Department. “It provides a beautiful quality of illumination, and we know that it will enhance the downtown district, creating a more pleasing environment for residents, business owners and the customers who spend time there shopping, dining and just enjoying the charm of the neighborhood.”

To learn more about GE’s outdoor lighting solutions, in the U.S. and around the globe, visit www.gelighting.com/roadway.