The Royal Decree on Energy Efficiency in Outdoor Lighting (04/01/09) is one of the regulations that must be followed when integratingoutdoor lighting.
What are the main concepts that this regulation meets:
- Applicable to new installations and existing installations with significant modifications (> 50% of the power or installed luminaires) and extensions.
- Defines a minimum energy efficiency depending on the lighting (unless Em -> plus Efficiency)
Establish the energy rating
Sets flow reduction up to 50% of normal, without impairing uniformity, for instalaciones > 5kW installations
Minimum efficiency:
- 40 lum / W, for surveillance and night security lighting and signs and announcements Luminous > eliminates incandescent
- 65 lum / W for street, specific and ornamental lighting > removes mercury vapor
Defines the performance and minimum utilization factors for luminaires and projectors and specifies the minimum consumption of auxiliary equipment according to the types of lamp and power and defines the on-off system according to the installed power
- < 5 KW (lamps + auxiliary): photocell
- > 5 KW (l + a): astronomical clock or centralized system
It establishes yields and minimum utilization factors for luminaires and projectors, also specifies the maximum consumption of auxiliary equipment according to the different types of lamps and powers.
Why is LED a good choice for outdoor lighting?
One of the benefits obtained from LED equipment is its compact size, the directional nature of the light, the high thermal management performances and an increasing light emission.
Therefore, the benefits that these equipment provide us when applied abroad, such as in cities, urban roads and highways, improving the emitted flow, light control and thermal management, without forgetting that these equipment have a life cycle duration of the luminaires from five to seven years without the need for maintenance on them. At the same time, the directionality of its emission and its small size open up new avenues for the development of optical systems with a high control of light distribution, notably improving the joint efficiencies of the conventional light source and the luminaire.
What should we take into account when applying LEDs in outdoor lighting?
A high lifespan that exceeds 50,000 hours, compared to conventional lighting, which lasts for around 24,000 hours. Thanks to the small size of the light-emitting diodes, it facilitates the directing of the light, favoring energy savings.
Incandescent vs. Led. Electricity cost estimated at € 0.14 / kWh.
| Pot. Incandescent bulb to replace (W) | Pot.LED (W) | Energy saving (kWH) during the LED lifetime (50,000h) | Electricity bill saving (€) | Savings in emissions C = 2 (kg CO2) |
| 40 | 9 | 1.550 | 186 | 1.162 |
| 60 | 11 | 2.450 | 294 | 1.837 |
| 75 | 15 | 3.000 | 360 | 2.250 |
| 100 | 20 | 4.000 | 480 | 3.000 |
| 150 | 32 | 5.900 | 708 | 4.425 |
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