A development to enhance

The commune of Chaumes-en-Retz (France), located on the main road between Pornic and Nantes, recently undertook a development project to improve the comfort and safety of users of its footpath. This route, essential for soft mobility, was suffering from a lack of use, notably due to a lack of visibility at night.

To solve this problem, the municipality called on the expertise of ECO-INNOV, specialists in sustainable LED lighting solutions.

A solar solution adapted to site constraints

One of the major difficulties of this project was the impossibility of running cables to supply traditional lighting. The chosen solution was a solar lighting system, using ECO-143 embbeded studs. “This hard-wearing, easy-to-install product only requires coring in the ground and the application of a special glue to ensure adhesion,” explains Sylvain Louërat, the electrician involved in the project.

As well as being energy self-sufficient, these devices are designed to blend harmoniously with their surroundings. The recessed studs emit an amber light, reducing the impact on local flora and fauna while minimizing glare on nearby roads.

Synchronized operation with street lighting

The lighting system is programmed to follow the public lighting timetable. In this way, the studs light up at dusk and go out at 10pm, before lighting up again at 6am, ensuring the safety of users without excessive energy consumption.

A project congratulated by users

This first phase of installation involved 53 solar studs over a distance of one kilometer. Feedback from pedestrians and cyclists has been very positive, convincing the municipality to extend the installation by a further 500 meters. “Users are delighted with this solution, which is both practical and aesthetically pleasing,” adds Sylvain Louërat.

With this initiative, Chaumes-en-Retz affirms its commitment to innovative, sustainable and environmentally-friendly lighting solutions.

Photo/video : © Stephane Lelasseux

The desire to work with a French manufacturer located 30 kilometers from the city led to a fruitful collaboration with RAGNI. Following several lighting studies, the municipality became aware of the significant light pollution generated by the old installations:

” The municipal team wanted to initiate a new, even more virtuous dynamic in terms of energy transition and respect for the environment, by adopting a lighting development master plan (SDAL) setting out the main guidelines for urban lighting, ” explains Carine GIOVINAZZO, Engineer in the Energy and Ecological Transition department of the city of Grasse.

To preserve its living environment and exceptional biodiversity, the city aims to reduce its energy consumption by the end of the project in May 2025. To achieve this, the municipality wants to integrate LED technology into all its public lighting systems.

Thanks to its technical features, which are totally in line with the town’s DNA, the DEIKO functional luminaire’s ovoid shape has won it over, and it has been installed on many of Grasse’s roads.

Carine GIOVINAZZO adds: ” The DEIKO lantern consumes little energy and has a long service life (over 20 years). What’s more, the choice of warm white and amber LED color temperatures reduces our impact on biodiversity. We were also convinced by its high-performance asymmetrical road lighting, while ensuring compliance with regulations against light pollution. The fact that this model was designed to meet the environmental criteria of energy efficiency, recyclability and interoperability was also a plus.. “.

The choice of RAL is a nod to the town’s street furniture charter. This very natural “mars 2525 sanded” shade brings sophistication and modernity to the Grasse environment.

Since the curfew introduced during the health crisis in 2020, the municipality has initiated night-time extinction and dimming in various time bands, with the aim of reducing light levels during off-peak hours. This initiative, together with the switch to LEDs, has resulted in energy savings of 15%, i.e. 700,000 kWh/year (equivalent to 140 households), as well as financial savings of around €175,000/year.

” Today, the night-time switch-off zone has been extended thanks to factory-programmed drivers. 49% of the lighting stock has been programmed to dim between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., 3,088 light points (44% of the lighting stock) are switched off between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and only 1% of the lighting stock is neither dimmed nor switched off: the city center. “says Carine GIOVINAZZO.

Residents’ opinions are divided:

” The municipality of Grasse regularly receives requests from residents expressing their wish to extend the scope of night-time extinction to more light points. On the other hand, some residents are in favor of restoring public lighting because of a feeling of insecurity, even though it has had no impact in terms of incivilities, according to a study carried out in conjunction with the Police Municipale and the Centre de Surveillance Urbain. »

The city is particularly proud to have been awarded the “Star City” label in 2021. This distinction echoes the “Réserve Internationale de Ciel Étoilé” (RICE) label awarded in December 2019 to the “Alpes Azur Mercantour” territory by theInternational Dark Sky Associationbased in the United States. Grasse actively supports this initiative.

Projections showed that the gain in terms of energy savings and service rendered would be less than the investment. The municipality has invested heavily in this project, which remains an ecological priority, making it impossible to incorporate this solution into the budget. The town of Grasse has also opted for presence detection in some of its parks.

Located in the Savoie department, at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, the commune of Aussois attracts many tourists every year thanks to its authenticity and family spirit.

With the aim of reconciling public safety and environmental protection, this village-station decided to renovate its entire lighting system in collaboration with GROUPE RAGNI. This choice stems from a fruitful previous cooperation and the desire to promote French industrial know-how.

Maurice BODECHER, First Deputy Mayor of Aussois and Chairman of the Aussois management board:

” Today, we’re trying to strike a balance between essential lighting and night-time preservation, given our proximity to the Vanoise National Park. This approach is largely justified for the benefit of flora and fauna, especially as we have observed the presence of animals such as foxes in the village, proof that they are not disturbed by public lighting. “.

The municipality mainly opted for retrofitting, replacing 294 light points over a three-year period in order to conserve the existing luminaires and thus reduce its carbon footprint. Traditional lighting aesthetics VENCEand ROGNACluminaires, and the modernity of the EMBLEMEmodels harmonize perfectly with the natural, authentic setting of Aussois.

This eco-responsible initiative has resulted in significant savings in terms of cost and consumption:

• The luminaires were reduced from 4000k to 2200k inside the village and 2700k on the outskirts,
• Better uniformity is now noticeable thanks to flow-cutting fixtures that avoid illuminating facades and direct light more effectively towards the road,
• Reduced consumption was made possible by replacing 100 W SHP bulbs with 15 to 26 watt LED paving stones,
• 70% savings were achieved by reducing lighting between 11pm and 6am.

In just a few months, the results were conclusive, showing the total disappearance of the light halo that had been hanging over the community; a source of pride for this village of 711 inhabitants, committed to reducing light pollution.

During the Covid period, Mayor Stéphane BOYER experimented with total extinction of public lighting for almost a year:

” Several residents told us of their feelings of insecurity, although no incidents have occurred. When the sky is starry, it’s pleasant, but when it’s overcast, you can’t see a thing. There have been times when I’ve finished my journey by the light of my phone. As a tourist village, we have a lot of movement, and night-time reduction is the best compromise to ensure sufficient lighting to get around. “.

Sensitive to sustainable development and biodiversity, the Mayor adds:

” In this project, we managed to reconcile our environmental concerns with our budgetary constraints, which is crucial. CSR will become widespread and mandatory in the future, so it’s essential that RAGNI is at the forefront in this area. “.