 - Ray Simms and Cr. Jenny Mulholland
Background and Summary
Public lighting in Australia consumes large amounts of energy and financial resources, and many councils have formed regional sustainable public lighting action groups, pooling resources and acting as a single entity to engage in effective partnerships with stakeholders.
A number of CCP councils in Victoria have been focusing on sustainable public lighting for over six years. Many now participate in one of the five Regional Greenhouse Alliances (local government alliances assisted by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment). The various Alliances collectively acknowledged early on the challenges of working individually and even regionally to effectively progress sustainable public lighting.
The VSPLAG was convened in September 2006 to leverage the power of the councils to engage collectively and collaboratively with key stakeholders such as electricity distribution businesses and regulators. This case study highlights the group’s progress in overcoming identified technical and strategic barriers.
This group undertook technical tasks that engaged manufacturers, distribution businesses and other key stakeholders. They took a path that was previously untried and succeeded in testing the newest, most efficient and most appropriate public lighting technologies for Victoria in order to advance the approvals process. The 2x14 and 2x24 watt T5 twin fluorescent and the 42 watt compact fluorescent lamp are in the final approvals process, which will make the technologies available for use across Victoria.
Strategic planning and barrier identification
The VSPLAG’s original Terms of Reference were ambitious, reflecting members’ strong priority to accelerate the transition to sustainable public lighting. The terms of reference included the strategic objective to ‘determine an orderly, transparent and timely process to deliver a fair and reasonable transition for these (new) technologies’. VSPLAG’s character – with its technical expertise within councils and distribution businesses – favoured technical work. The group recognised this and advocated for high-level co-ordination of political support needed to achieve the strategic objectives it had originally set out. This ultimately led to the establishment of a Public Lighting Taskforce, led by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).
Review of technologies
VSPLAG recognised early in their work that further research was needed to assess the commercial and technical viability of new energy efficient lighting technologies. The group formed a Technical Subgroup to review the viability of the 2x14 and 2x24 watt T5 twin fluorescent and the 42 watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). The review included collaborative activities such as time trials of technology switch-overs and round table discussions to collectively analyse the ability of the technology to meet the minimum requirements of all stakeholders. In order to meet the requirements of the distribution businesses, manufacturers adopted recommended improvements to aspects of the technology, such as the need for vibration proof fittings. Through this open and collaborative review, stakeholders better understood each other’s varying priorities, in particular that: - Councils and MAV prioritise energy efficiency and the ability to meet Australian Standards
- Distribution businesses prioritise containment of risk in a public setting, and sturdy, easy to handle light fittings
- Manufacturers prioritise knowledge of future trends in demand
Negotiating approval for new technologies
The review of technologies and subsequent manufacturer enhancements led to lengthy and active negotiations by the group with distribution businesses to gain approval of new lighting technologies. This approval, with operational, maintenance and replacement (OMR) charges being established, is a pre-requisite for bulk changeovers to occur. The councils were represented in negotiations by Paul Brown, Director of Ironbark Sustainability and Stuart Nesbitt Climate Change Action Officer at Darebin City Council, both leaders in SPL and met challenges due to turnover of contacts within the distribution businesses. Nevertheless, persistence has seen both the T5 and CFL now in the final stage of approval by the distribution businesses.
Improved relationships between stakeholders
The VSPLAG was established because councils were frustrated with trying to work one-on-one with distribution businesses, and distribution businesses wanted a coherent approach to working with councils and new technologies (VSPLAG Technical Reference Group, 2008). Because previous one-on-one relationships were often focused on pricing negotiations they were somewhat adversarial, rather than constructive and consultative. By acting as one large entity VSPLAG has been able to represent the interests of its members and provide a single forum for collaboration with the distribution businesses. This process provided outcomes beyond traditional sustainability in that it led to a broader acceptance of differing views and relationships that can form the basis for ongoing work into the future.
Technology Evaluation Report
The group’s review of technologies resulted in the report, ‘Evaluation of Low Energy Lights for Minor Road Lighting’, published in March 2008. This report provided the necessary technical details for energy efficient lighting technologies to be approved by relevant distribution businesses.
New technologies being approved for use in Victoria
As a result of VSPLAG work, Victorian distribution businesses — led by SP Ausnet — are in the final approvals process for the T5 (2x24 and 2x14 watt) and 42 watt CFL. These businesses have been able to refer to the large amount of research undertaken by VSPLAG as input to the approval. Once the approval process is completed, these lighting technologies will be available for new installations and bulk changeovers Victoria-wide.
Victorian Public Lighting Taskforce established
Responding in part to VSPLAG’s advocacy, the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment established a Pubic Lighting Taskforce in 2008 to address ongoing high-level strategic barriers. The taskforce is currently working to formalise the procedures to be undertaken by all stakeholders when new energy efficient technologies emerge that require review, pricing and approval.
Maintain momentum when progress is slow
Initial high expectations from members of VSPLAG led to some disappointment and loss of momentum during periods when action and progress seemed to stall. This was partially due to the time taken by manufacturers in altering luminaires to VSPLAG’s recommendations and partly due to the low level of technical expertise within some distribution businesses, which led to high lag times in the approvals process. VSPLAG members reflect that managing expectations more realistically and structuring alternative use of the down-time would improve this process and help to maintain momentum. With the VSPLAG’s secretariat being somewhat ad hoc and under funded the importance of a dedicated and resourced group secretariat function to maintain relationships and provide strong coordination became evident to all.
Changing group participants can lead to loss of internal technical knowledge
Membership of the VSPLAG is drawn from local government, state government departments and agencies, and private businesses (distribution businesses and retailers). This carries the inherent risk of substantial staffing changes over time, whether from resignations, reassignments or company amalgamations (as happened within the distribution business sector). As a result, levels of technical expertise, knowledge of processes, and commitment to collaboration fluctuated over time. This, along with the required manufacturer alterations, was a significant contributor to the two year period taken for approving the new technologies. To overcome ongoing reliance on individuals within stakeholder organisations, the group continues to advocate strongly for regulatory changes, including mandating minimum energy performance standards for public lighting.
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For more information about VSPLAG or their work contact: - Paul Brown, Director, Ironbark Sustainability, paul@ironbarksustainability.com.au
- Judy Bush, NAGA Coordinator, judy@mefl.com.au, (03) 9385 8585
- Ben Morris, Policy Adviser- Energy and Waste, Municipal Association of Victoria, BMorris@mav.asn.au, (03) 9667 5580
Resources
Other resources used or developed by the group are: - NAGA, 2008, Sustainable Street Lighting briefing paper, July 2008
ICLEI Oceania would like to expressly thank Paul Brown of Ironbark Sustainability, Judy Bush of the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action and Stuart Nesbitt of Darebin City Council for their contributions in the preparation of this case study.
The Victorian case study (VSPLAG) is also available to download [word 108 KB].
The production of these materials was funded by the Australian Government for use by local governments which were part of the Cities for Climate Protection Australia Milestone Support Program that ended on 30 June 2009. Please note that ICLEI Oceania Program and Project support, the Greenhouse Gas Application (GGA) and milestone recognition is no longer available.
Copyright 2009. Reproduction requires the written permission of the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts.
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