Smart Street Lighting Solution for Municipalities

Hafnarfjörður municipality implemented a smart street lighting system that combines advanced controllers with LoRaWAN® connectivity to enhance energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and improve public safety. The solution provides precise control over 6,000 streetlights while creating a foundation for future smart city applications.

Challenge

The municipality of Hafnarfjörður, Iceland, recognized that their traditional street lighting system needed modernization to address several key issues:

• iHigh energy consumption and operating costs
• Inefficient maintenance processes requiring manual inspection
• Limited control capabilities preventing adaptive lighting based on real needs
• Need for a vendor-independent solution that could evolve with changing technologies
• Desire to enhance public safety while supporting sustainability goals

The city needed a solution that would not only solve immediate lighting challenges but also provide a platform for long-term growth without vendor lock-in, ensuring the investment would remain viable for years to come.

Solution

Flashnet, in partnership with energy infrastructure company Rafal deployed a comprehensive smart street lighting system using the inteliLIGHT® platform to transform Hafnarfjörður's urban lighting infrastructure.

Key components of the solution include:

• A mix of inteliLIGHT FRCM and Zhaga controllers installed across 6,000 streetlights
• inteliLIGHT Central Management System (CMS) for remote monitoring and control
• LORIOT LoRaWAN Network Server providing secure, bidirectional communication

The controllers enable precise lighting adjustments based on real-time conditions. FRCM segment controllers automate operations based on environmental factors like sunrise and sunset times, while Zhaga controllers enable area-based lighting control that adapts to ambient light conditions.

This approach ensures energy is used efficiently, with lighting tailored to the specific needs of each neighborhood. The system balances energy savings with public safety by providing the right amount of light exactly when and where it's needed.

"By integrating inteliLIGHT® with LORIOT’s robust server infrastructure and LoRaWAN® communication, we’ve delivered a solution that combines scalability and efficiency. Together, we’re helping Hafnarfjörður set a new standard for smart street lighting while laying the groundwork for future IoT advancements." , said Alexandru Buzatu, Flashnet's Chief Commercial Officer.

The Return

The implementation of the smart street lighting system in Hafnarfjörður delivered multiple benefits:

• Reduced energy consumption up to 35% through precise control and adaptive lighting (dimming the lights during low traffic hours)
• Reduced maintenance costs up to 42% with real-time fault detection and reporting
• Improved operational efficiency through remote monitoring and control
• Future-proof infrastructure supporting additional smart city applications that can coexist with other compatible controllers and even entirely different lighting control solutions or smart city aggregators
• Enhanced public safety with optimized lighting levels
• Reduced CO2 emissions and protection of the environment

Annual savings breakdown / Typical 15yrs ROI: 300%

"The collaboration with Flashnet and the use of LORIOT's reliable communication infrastructure has enabled us to implement a truly advanced smart street lighting system in Hafnarfjörður. Leveraging inteliLIGHT's CMS platform, combined with LoRaWAN® technology, we’ve achieved seamless communication, precise control and significant energy efficiency. This project is about more than technology - it’s about working together to meet the needs of the community and help the city achieve its vision for a brighter, more connected future.” , said Hrafn Guðbrandsson, Director - Data Driven Solutions

The project supports multiple United Nations'sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Conclusion

Hafnarfjörður's implementation demonstrates how smart street lighting can enhance urban environments while supporting broader sustainability objectives. This collaboration establishes a model for energy-efficient urban lighting that other municipalities can follow, highlighting the value of flexible, future-proof solutions for modern cities.