AEW includes climate-neutral luminaire as standard in portfolio
AEW Energie AG manages over 20,000 light points in its supply area. The energy supplier and ELEKTRON AG have been working together for many years - to ensure traffic safety and the well-being of the population in 73 Aargau communities with the right light. Environmental awareness and the careful use of resources are anchored in the energy supplier's mission statement and have also been taken into account for years in the planning of street lighting. In 2021, AEW will take the next important step: it will be one of the first energy suppliers to include the climate-neutral Luma luminaire in its portfolio as standard.
In conversation with Markus Sommer
Project Manager Electricity Supply, Competence Center Manager Lighting, AEW Energie AG
Mr. Sommer, you provide light throughout Aargau - how many municipalities and light points are part of your supply area?
The canton of Aargau comprises 210 municipalities, of which we supply 84 with energy and manage the street lighting in 73 municipalities as part of an "operating contract". The tasks include the planning, construction and safe operation and maintenance of street lighting. Around 20,600 luminaires on 20,000 candelabras ensure traffic safety and accompany the population on their way home.
What has changed in the area of lighting and environmental awareness in recent years? How sensitized is the canton of Aargau in this topic?
The color of light has changed the most in recent years. From neutral white, we have almost universally switched to warm white light. Residents are much more accepting of this less glaring light. There are exceptions, both with neutral white and yellow light. The latter is used in selected locations where biodiversity is a priority. Reduction and half-night shut-offs have always been part of the AEW Energie AG portfolio and, since the LED age, also the time-dependent dimming profiles, so we have been using the resource "energy" sparingly for years.
How does AEW deal with the issue of "climate protection," especially in the area of lighting?
Intelligent lighting is offered and used according to the situation - for example, cycle paths and footpaths at the edge of settlements and in the area of forests and bodies of water. The same is true for light colors. Ultimately, though, it's the customer's decision, and that's the municipalities.
Disturbances and defects are repaired in bundles as far as possible, if the situation allows. This avoids additional trips.
What motivated you to rely only on climate-neutral Luma luminaires at AEW?
Environmental awareness and the careful use of resources are anchored in our mission statement. We supply 100% renewable energy to our base-supplied customers, operate our own photovoltaic systems, and are also making a strong push in the area of wind energy. In addition, AEW operates more than 80 of its own CO2-neutral heating networks.
The climate-neutral luminaire thus fits in perfectly with AEW's promotion of sustainability. Have you met with interest from the municipalities so far?
Lighting systems on a large scale tend to be planned for the medium term. We started using the climate-neutral Luma in July 2021, so we cannot yet speak of a major effect today. However, we are convinced that there is a great deal of interest among municipalities.
In which communities have the first climate-neutral luminaires been installed?
The climate-neutral luminaire can be ordered since July 1. Accordingly, the delivery depends on the delivery time of the luminaires. We hope to be able to use the climate-neutral variant in September/ October. The first commissioning will take place in the communities of Münchwilen, Meisterschwanden, Bad Zurzach, Koblenz, Schinznach, Rekingen and Tegerfelden.
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What do you think the future will bring us in public lighting? Which "trends and topics" will increasingly occupy us?
Smart City is on everyone's lips, and accordingly, control will continue to occupy us in the future. Will lighting be switched on and off "autonomously" in the future instead of by a ripple control system as in the past? Do we need a continuous voltage at every pole? Ultimately, the lighting must meet a good price-performance ratio in the entire life cycle (investment, operation and maintenance).
To conclude: Mr. Sommer, AEW has a long-standing relationship with ELEKTRON. How does the collaboration work for you?
We have a cooperative partnership and pull together in the same direction. In addition, we value a competent and reliable contact partner, which we have found in ELEKTRON AG.
Asked by the ELEKTRON sales area managers in Aargau
Dieter Wieser (left) and Domenico Azzarito (right) are the first point of contact for AEW. They tell us how they experience working with the energy supplier.
How long have you been working with AEW and what area do you serve?
Dieter I have been looking after AEW for 25 years. In my area are the regional centers Bremgarten and Turgi.
Domenico I have been working with AEW for 10 years. My territory includes the Regional Centers Lenzburg, Rheinfelden and the headquarters in Aarau.
How is the cooperation with AEW?
We have a partnership with respect and loyalty. You can feel the trust and appreciation for the work done.
Where does AEW stand in terms of environmentally conscious lighting?
Hannes Aebli and Markus Sommer, who manage the competence center, have steered the "environmental issue" in the right direction from the very beginning. Starting with the choice of light colors, the DynaDim+ lighting control system, the avoidance of stray light and, most recently, the decision to use only CO2-neutral luminaires - that's exemplary!
