UdZ 01.21

Key Focuses of the Project Digitalization projects in urban areas often fail to progress beyond the pilot phase. As a rule, this is not due to problems with the technical solution. Rather, it is heterogeneous structures and operator models that make it difficult or even impossible to implement seamless concepts across the board. In order to counteract this tendency, relevant use cases for digitalized streetlights were first to be identified at STAWAG and then evaluated with regard to various impact factors. Particular emphasis was placed on the analysis of platform concepts, operator models, and the collaboration between the partners involved. Only a few providers currently opt for platform independence for their products. In most cases, operators of streetlights are tied to one provider in the long run. Given the long service life and corresponding payback period for the investment, this represents a risk. Looking at the operator models, the individual use cases are typically not very profitable in themselves, and the benefit potential is low. The benefit can only be increased by a situation-specific combination of use cases, which at the same time also enables a reduction in costs. Finally, there is the question of the degree of vertical integration. Operators are often dependent on different partners. The composition and management of such a partner network entails many technical, organizational and legal challenges that must be taken into account during planning and implementation. Approach and Results The platform concept for the smartification of street lighting was developed in several steps. To provide a realistic assessment of the feasibility of – and opportunities offered by – new applications, framework conditions such as economic viability and sustainability, functionality, as well as environmental and legal aspects were identified in a first step. To this end, FIR conducted several workshops with STAWAG and other municipal companies involved. On tis basis, use cases were identified, evaluated, prioritized and, after further analysis, integrated to form an overall platform concept. The analysis was based on numerous success factors derived from discussions, research, and workshops. All findings were summarized by FIR in an executive summary to provide a basis for decision-making at STAWAG, presenting the opportunities for smartification of the existing infrastructure. In addition, a comprehensive overall concept was detailed. A roadmap for its implementation, from the development of individual pilot projects to the final expansion stage, is to enable STAWAG to proceed in a structured manner in implementing its platform concept for smart street lighting. The overall findings of the project are particularly valuable for STAWAG. It became clear that only holistic approaches as part of an overarching smart city concept and involving all stakeholders are able to exploit the full potential offered by digitalization and thus deliver the expected benefits. For this reason, joint follow-up activities were initiated, including preparation of an application for funding from the “Smart Cities 2021 Model Projects” support program of the German federal government and the KfW Bank. Foto: © Bayer Stadtwerke Aachen AG (STAWAG) Branch: Energy industry Products: Gas, district heating, water, electricity Sales: 610,3 Mio. EUR (2020) Employees: 965 (2020) Locations: Aachen 05/2021_IM 7-400-400-2117 FIR Aachen GmbH  ·  www.fir.de   ·  E-Mail:  anfrage@fir.rwth-aachen.de Foto: © Jörg Engel – Fotolia