La lighting in smart cities It has become one of the most powerful tools for transforming our streets into safer, more efficient, and more pleasant spaces. It's not just about replacing old streetlights with LEDs, but about deploying a smart network capable of adapting to the environment, collecting data, and connecting with other urban systems.
In this context, public lighting ceases to be a simple basic service and becomes a strategic digital infrastructureThis is key to the transition towards more sustainable, connected, and people-centered cities. Behind every light point there are sensors, communications, data analytics, and, of course, a network of rules and standards that define the rules of the game.
What is smart lighting in a Smart City?
When we talk about advanced lighting in a smart city, we are referring to systems where each light fixture can be monitored, controlled and regulated remotelyThese light points do not all work the same way or at the same time: they are adjusted according to traffic, the presence of people, weather conditions or the time of day.
The technological basis of this type of solution falls within the Internet of Things (IoT)That is, connected objects that exchange information with each other and with cloud-based management platforms. In the case of lighting, we are talking about smart controllers, motion sensors, photocells, communication gateways and centralized management software.
Beyond technology, one of the biggest shifts in focus is the concept of Human Centric Lighting (HCL) or people-centered lighting. This approach seeks to adapt the light to the real needs of the citizen, improving their visual comfort, their sense of security and their well-being, while reducing excess light and light pollution.
Thus, smart lighting in smart cities seeks a balance: to offer the appropriate quantity and quality of light in the precise place and time, minimizing energy waste and environmental impact, and leveraging the existing infrastructure to support other connected urban services.
Key objectives of lighting in smart cities
The deployment of smart lighting solutions does not serve a single purpose; it is based on a set of mutually reinforcing goals. In short, the main objectives of lighting in a Smart City can be grouped into several clearly interrelated strategic axes.
On the one hand, the usual priority is the Energy Efficiency Thanks to the automatic regulation of the luminous flux according to schedules, traffic intensity, presence detection or readings from environmental sensors, it is possible to reduce electricity consumption without sacrificing good visibility. Dynamic attenuationSchedule profiles and adaptation to the context allow for very significant energy savings.
Closely related to the above is the objective of environmental sustainabilityBy consuming less electricity, emissions associated with energy generation decrease, limiting the city's carbon footprint. Furthermore, better-designed lighting, with precise optics and appropriate levels, helps reduce light pollution, protecting both biodiversity and the night sky.
Another essential pillar is the citizen securityIntelligent systems allow for enhanced lighting in problematic or high-risk areas, and adapt the light level when necessary. Motion detection and to have historical data available to anticipate potential problems. More light where it's really needed and less where it doesn't add value, always based on real information and not just fixed schedules.
Furthermore, connected lighting has a clear aim to improve public spaceBy using different color temperatures, dimming curves, and architectural lighting effects, more inviting atmospheres can be created, heritage elements highlighted, and the overall urban aesthetic enhanced. The city becomes more livable and attractive, even at night.
From the perspective of municipal management, another key objective is the reduction of maintenance costsContinuous monitoring of each light fixture's condition allows for real-time fault detection, more efficient scheduling of interventions, reduced unnecessary travel, and extended equipment lifespan. This frees up economic resources that can be allocated to other urban priorities.
All this is completed with a advanced asset managementRemote monitoring of installations, planning of renovations based on usage and performance data, and conducting continuous energy audits provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the lighting infrastructure. This information facilitates strategic decision-making and ensures that investments are based on evidence, not intuition.
Standardization, UNE standards and their role in smart lighting
In the deployment of advanced lighting solutions, it's not all about hardware and software: technical norms and standards They are as important as the devices themselves. The Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) acts as a reference for the electrical sector in its adaptation to the new economy, Industry 4.0, and, in particular, the smart city ecosystem.
The UNE standards reflect the market consensus on the good practices and technical requirements that products and systems must comply with. Companies, public administrations, and other relevant stakeholders participate in their development through Technical Standardization Committees. This makes standards a true meeting point between public and private interests.
In the specific field of smart cities, the following stands out: CTN 178 Smart CitiesThis committee addresses projects for future standards applicable to various urban services, including street lighting. A relevant example is the draft standard PNE 178401, which focuses on defining criteria and requirements for street lighting in smart cities, aligning aspects of efficiency, interoperability, and quality of service.
The importance of these regulatory frameworks goes far beyond regulatory compliance. Standards have become the common language of international marketsIt is estimated that around 80% of global trade is subject to these types of standards. For companies, adhering to UNE standards opens doors in other countries and simplifies the certification of their products.
At the city's strategic level, normalization is also integrated into broader public policies. In fact, it forms part of the pillars of National Smart Cities Plan In Spain, the work of CTN 178 is a well-established example of public-private collaboration. This helps ensure that smart lighting solutions are not isolated projects, but rather coherent components within a comprehensive vision of a connected city.
Real-world examples and benefits for the industry
The adoption of UNE standards and the promotion of smart lighting have very tangible effects on the lighting industry. An illustrative case is that of carandini, a Spanish company specializing in luminaires for public lighting, infrastructure and industrial installations, which has focused part of its strategy on solutions prepared for connectivity.
In its internationalization process, Carandini has found in the UNE standards a great allyWhen selecting target markets, the company pays attention to those countries whose technical regulations are more similar to those in Spain, which reduces barriers to entry and facilitates participation in public tenders related to smart lighting.
According to their sales department, it is common practice in tenders from various countries to explicitly reference UNE standards as a requirement for a luminaire to be eligible for the competition. This detail turns the standards into a kind of technical passport which greatly simplifies exporting: by sharing the same regulatory language, it is easier to meet requirements, document performance and build trust with customers.
This example demonstrates how standardization not only improves the quality and safety of facilities, but also acts as lever of competitiveness For companies in the electrical and technical lighting sector. By aligning their products with widely recognized standards, companies can more easily position themselves in smart city projects both domestically and internationally.
From the perspective of urban administrations and managers, working with solutions based on established standards reduces risks, avoids excessive dependence on a single provider, and guarantees a minimum level of interoperability and performanceThis promotes a more open ecosystem, where different manufacturers can integrate into the same city platform.
Connected solar lighting and energy efficiency
Within the range of technologies for lighting in smart cities, the connected solar lighting This represents a particularly interesting alternative for areas where extending the electrical grid is complex or expensive. These are luminaires that integrate solar panels, batteries, and control systems, capable of operating autonomously and, at the same time, connecting to remote monitoring platforms.
A practical guide on smart cities usually highlights that this type of solution combines the best of both worlds: on the one hand, the on-site renewable energy generationThis reduces dependence on the grid and further decreases the carbon footprint; on the other hand, the intelligence provided by the controllers and connectivity allows for adjusting light levels, recording operating data, and optimizing maintenance.
Connected solar lighting is especially useful in distributed spaces such as pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, peri-urban parks, or newly developed areas where laying cables is not yet cost-effective. It can also serve as a temporary reinforcement solution in areas undergoing urban transformation or in emergency situations.
When these luminaires are integrated into a city management platform, they become part of a digital inventory This allows you to know its charge level, energy performance, and incident history. This makes it easier to define preventive maintenance strategies, detect degradation of solar panels or batteries, and anticipate replacements while there is still time to plan them.
In terms of overall energy efficiency, the combination of high-efficiency LED technologyIntelligent control of luminous flux and use of local solar energy allows us to achieve very significant savings both in consumption and operating costs, reinforcing the role of lighting as a central axis of the urban energy transition.
Smart cities, standards and Sustainable Development Goals
Smart cities are not understood simply as cities full of sensors and technology, but as urban environments that actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)In the case of smart lighting, the relationship with SDG 11 is direct: it is about achieving inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements.
UNE standards, by setting clear criteria for efficiency, quality and interoperability, become a a practical tool to move towards these goalsThanks to them, advanced lighting projects can be aligned with environmental policies, local energy plans, and sustainable urban mobility strategies, instead of being developed as isolated initiatives.
Standardization also helps the various stakeholders involved—municipalities, energy service companies, lighting manufacturers, systems integrators, consultancies, etc.—to share a common base of requirementsThis reduces misunderstandings, facilitates public procurement, and allows proposals to be evaluated using comparable criteria.
The collaborative approach of committees such as the CTN 178 Smart Cities It ensures that regulations do not become outdated in relation to market realities. There, technological trends are discussed, use cases are analyzed, and minimum requirements are defined that reflect the current and future needs of cities.
Thanks to this integration of standards, technology, and public policies, smart lighting becomes one more piece of a larger puzzle, involving mobility, waste management, water, energy, and digital urban services, all geared towards a a more sustainable and livable city.
Professional profiles and digital transformation of lighting
The transition to smart lighting in smart cities also requires new specialized professional profilesIt is no longer enough to know only the traditional electrical aspects: it is essential to integrate skills in telecommunications, software, data analysis and innovation project management.
In this context, the figure of the engineer specializing in technological innovation applied to urban infrastructureThis type of professional is responsible for coordinating the digitization of urban systems, integrating emerging technologies (IoT, big data, artificial intelligence) and leading projects that range from the design phase to implementation and operation.
Their duties include evaluating communications architectures suitable for lighting (mesh networks, NB-IoT, 4G/5G, etc.), select management platforms, define use cases (e.g., adaptive regulation based on mobility data) and ensure that projects comply with current national and international standards and regulations.
Another key aspect of these profiles is the ability to work with multiple stakeholders: they must interact with municipal departments, technology providers, energy service companies, standards bodies, and, in many cases, with the public. Communication and change management become as important as technical expertise.
In short, the digital transformation of public lighting is not just a matter of devices, but of people capable of orchestrating that transformationalign it with the city's strategy and ensure that technological innovation translates into real benefits for residents.
Overall, smart lighting in smart cities integrates objectives of energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, safety, public space quality, and advanced asset management, relying on UNE standards and specialized technical profiles to implement robust and scalable projects. This combination of technology, standards, and talent is redefining the role of urban lighting, transforming it from a static service into a central platform for the connected city.
