PLUS
The lighting of public space accounts for 60% of public energy use in an average city. It is clear that any reduction that can be achieved will have a significant impact on total energy use and, therefore, on CO2 emissions, without forgetting the positive effects on public finances. The PLUS project makes a significant contribution to decreasing energy use and rationalizing energy consumption related to public lighting.
It will do so by analyzing the existing public lighting strategies of each partner as well as the actions developed thus far, by means of ‘deep dive’ visits which will each time focus on a specific environmental challenge in the field of lighting. Successes and shortcomings will be identified, and be compared to the other partners’ own experience. Each deep dive will lead to an individual set of recommendations, resulting in an improved public lighting Strategy and Action Plan for the participating cities and regions. The purpose of this strategy capitalising on existing good practices and results related to energy saving and efficiency, is to offer viable solutions to the environmental challenges each partner faces, later to be financed through Structural Funds Operational Programmes. Dissemination of project results is a core activity of this capitalisation project. Matching and accelerating existing knowledge of partners using the deep dive methodology bringing together all relevant stakeholders at partner level will result in high quality strategies which are not only of interest for the partner cities but all over Europe.
By focussing on new ways of approaching the field of urban public lighting utilising technological innovation, the project contributes to energy efficiency, and ultimately sustainability and economic success. Due to the multi-faceted nature of public lighting, lighting strategies in public spaces may only be designed and implemented in an integrated way, also taking into account aspects of e.g. urban lighting pollution, citizens’ sense of safety, traffic regulation, social cohesion and city marketing.
Partnership:
The project is implemented with the participation of 12 partners from 10 EU countries:
Budget: The project is financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the frame of the INTERREG IVC Capitalisation programme. The total budget is € 1 689 508.
Duration: October 2010 – December 2012
Services of Grants Europe: project development, support in the establishment of an international consortium, management of the application process, elaboration of the application documentation in English