KIC InnoEnergy: A new system of smart lighting
KIC InnoEnergy has supported the foundation of GRADIS (Graph Augmented Distributed Intelligent Systems) in order to work on the development of a lighting system using LED lamps.
The system aims to introduce lights where the intensity can be flexibly controlled by a smart system, keeping energy use to a minimum and reducing lighting costs. This will lead to better energy efficiency.
The idea was advanced by a team of scientists from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, Poland.
Team member Adam Sędziwy said that GRADIS “began with the innovation project Alive & KICing, co-ordinated by our Belgian partner KIC InnoEnergy Benelux. The aim of the project was to develop a business model for the implementation of innovative solutions that would lead to energy savings in cities”.
He added that there are two elements to the technology, explaining: “The first part involved designing and optimising lighting systems as a means of minimising their related energy costs. The second component was to provide these lighting installations with a control system, which was achieved by means of a special software solution, allowing the system to adjust to the environment (the time of the day, weather conditions etc.) by automatically raising or lowering the level of illumination required for lighting to remain at a comfortable level.”
Project leader Professor Leszek Kotulski gave credit to KIC InnoEnergy’s Business Creation Officer who, he said, spotted the commercial potential of the ideas. “Were it not for the acceleration services offered to us by KIC InnoEnergy, GRADIS may not exist at all. They took care of some 80% of the formalities and administration details during the evolution process, allowing us to focus on our idea and on developing the project itself.”
He concluded by saying that they were in talks with a municipality near Krakow about developing a project. “If all goes to plan, we hope to implement a smart lighting system there that will utilise LED lamps.”
