ERIE, Pa., July 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Penelec, a
subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has completed the
conversion of more than 2,300 high-pressure sodium streetlights to
smart LED streetlights in downtown Erie and along the Bayfront. The new
energy-efficient streetlights will yield energy savings and provide
the foundation for technology to enhance public safety.
The brains of the smart streetlights are photocells equipped
with a Wi-Fi card that allows them to "talk" to each other and
convey real-time data to a control center through a wireless
communications network. Standard photocells know only enough to
switch streetlights on or off by sensing darkness or daylight.
Penelec can monitor the smart streetlights through its network
to determine if a light is burned out, remains illuminated during
daylight hours or is not operating at its proper voltage. For
regular streetlights, Penelec relies on residents and employees to
report burned-out lamps or other problems.
Network controls also allow specific streetlights to be
brightened outside bars and theaters to keep patrons safe late at
night or dimmed for special events such as fireworks. City
employees will have access to the controls and receive training on
how to operate the lights.
"The newly installed streetlights immediately provide savings
and brighter streets that help promote public safety in eight
opportunity zones throughout the city," said Scott Wyman, president of FirstEnergy's
Pennsylvania operations. "Going
forward, these interconnected smart streetlights have the potential
to do much more. They can be upgraded with security cameras and
sensors to detect gunshots, help motorists find parking spots and
manage waste collection. We are proud to partner with Erie to pioneer this technology."
The smart LED streetlight conversion initiative is one component
of Erie's Smart City Project,
which is intended to transform the city and drive economic growth
by attracting companies to locate tech jobs that pay
family-sustaining wages in the city's eight opportunity
zones.
A Penelec contractor began converting streetlights last
November, completing the job in June. The old high-pressure sodium
lamps were swapped out for smart LED fixtures at the top of
existing light poles.
Penelec serves approximately 585,000 customers within 17,600
square miles of northern and central Pennsylvania. Follow Penelec on Twitter
@Penelec and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PenelecElectric.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at
www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter
@FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of contractors installing new
LED smart streetlights are available for download on Flickr.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penelec-completes-conversion-of-erie-streetlights-to-smart-led-technology-301324602.html
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.