Challenge
It would be relatively easy, given today’s technological advances, to build energy-efficient and connected communities. Yet it is far more complicated to use existing public infrastructure across communities of all sizes, from towns to metropolises, in order to develop smart, green alternatives.
For the past decade communities of all sizes have been debating their own roadmaps for energy transition and embedding digital safety technologies within their shared spaces, each adapting to their citizens’ preferences and expectations, as well as balancing budget limitations
Innovative Solution
In 2010 the Energies & Services Division developed, in close collaboration with our Bouygues ELab, the first Citybox®: a solution to turn public lighting infrastructure into a smart network of sensors, wifi provision and information sharing. Today the Citybox® is available in 3 versions and has been deployed on two continents and across 100+ towns and cities ranging in size from Beausoleil to Abidjan.
The Citybox® combines several capabilities depending on the version chosen by each community. At the very minimum the Citybox® regulates lighting consumption based on the parameters selected by each client – from seasonal variations to foot traffic.
It has also been deployed as a connected network of wifi hotspots, of CCTV and of information sharing via speakers in public locations.
Client and User Benefits
Communities which have chosen to deploy the Citybox® quote a wide range of advantages connected to their specific contexts.
A common thread is energy efficiency: the Citybox® has successfully delivered savings between 30 and 70% in all cases. Also shared is the satisfaction with centralized control over a connected network of existing lighting installations: the Citybox® requires neither new infrastructure nor additional engineering. Maintenance costs also decreased for most clients, with many quoting the added benefit of higher levels of community satisfaction with connectivity and responsiveness.
Last but not least, the Citybox® enables communities to make better decisions. All data collected via Cityboxes® is centralized in a user-friendly web portal and used to identify insights directly applicable in decision-making. Many of our clients have reported using this data to further their energy transitions based on usage patterns within their communities.
Key Figures
- On average the Citybox® delivers energy savings of 30% during the first year, and up to 70% in subsequent years.
- At this time Cityboxes® connect 59,000 lighting installations and support 2,000 wifi hotspots in 100 cities around the world.
Maturity Level
Level 1 : Proof of concept or lab test
Level 2: Tested under real life conditions
Level 3: Commercial solution
