The intelligent street lighting market - Italy

1.1 Definition and scope of study

The public street lighting encompasses all energy-related activities that necessitate the provision of a public lighting service, primarily street lighting, that authorities must provide in the areas they administer for their citizens. They include streetlights, lamps, light towers, lighting, the function of which is to provide lighting for public places. Lighting accounts for over one-fifth of all global electricity use. Streetlamps account for 30 to 50 percent of a normal city's energy bill. Europe alone spends over ten billion euros a year on street lighting. Many of these issues can be answered with smart lighting. Cities can save energy, cut CO2 emissions, restrict light pollution, and save operating and maintenance expenses by using smart streetlights. To provide full control of the infrastructure, smart public lighting comprises a complete software suite (including third-party applications) and a hardware solution. It'd be integrated into the internet of things.

In 2020, the global smart lighting market was valued at USD 10.79 billion, with a CAGR of 19.7% predicted during the forecast period.

According to the Observatory on Italian Public Accounts, per capita electricity usage for public lighting in Italy has averaged 100 kWh in the last five years, more than double the European average of 51 kWh. About 2.25 million LED light points were installed in Italy at the end of 2018, out of a total of about 11 million light points; of these only 300,000 are considered smart light points, able to provide lighting with time-controlled variations in luminance or illuminance in relation to hourly traffic flow, weather conditions, or other parameters. The market is so not so competitive and has therefore large opportunities for growth; many companies are investing in the sector, both big ones, like Enel and small-medium enterprises.

Cities are expanding all over the planet. According to projections, around 68% of the world's population will live in cities by 2050. Finding methods to manage the costs and difficulties of public lighting while producing a livable and beautiful environment for citizens will be one of the governments' top concerns. Investing in Smart Cities is the way of the future, and the organizations that find themselves in this position will find a rising and increasingly profitable market.