The European Smart EPC project promotes the modernization of street lighting with innovative services incorporated, as well as energy service contracts with guaranteed savings, called Energy Performance Contracting, EPC.
A “Workshop on contracting and intelligent services” (smart services) was organized by ALEM, the Local Energy Agency of Murcia, was held on November 16. Its aim was sharing technological solutions and experiences of other services to citizens. The project partners: Murcia City Council, Rivas Vaciamadrid City Council and Escan consulting, accompanied by various professionals, presented the pilot projects that are currently being carried out. In Murcia, the transformation of some 6,000 luminaires to LED and the incorporation of solar luminaires. In Rivas, the system database is being updated, and services incorporated into the network are being installed, such as Wi-Fi, various sensors, electric chargers integrated into streetlights, etc.
These activities will also be widely disseminated by the Smart EPC project, to promote their replicability in other City Councils, in particular, the incorporation of energy and non-energy services in public contracts.
Implemented interesting solutions in other municipalities were also discussed, which were explained by companies with extensive experience in the sector and that participated in the workshop, such as Circutor, Signify and Schreder.
During the discussion, the advantages and disadvantages for municipalities when undertaking these changes through EPC contracts were highlighted. The drafting of a very detailed technical document was recommended, which is part of the contractual documentation and the need for a municipal technician or team to supervise the execution of said contract.
The duration of these contracts (10-15 years) can be a barrier for the City Council to sign. It was also discussed what actions would be necessary at the end of the contract, since by then, the lighting system and the rest of the services could be obsolete. Regarding the charging time of electric vehicles, it was considered necessary local regulation that establishes the maximum parking times at those points, so that vehicles that exceed them can be disconnected and towed.
Participants in the workshop. Murcia, November 2023
