Energy savings of 80% compared to sodium lamp lighting systems and of over 30% compared to the best LED systems, with technology that provides significant CO² reductions and better light quality: this is the Betalux recipe for an “intelligent” streetlamp network. The innovation of this Betagroup company brand is not so much in its use of LED technology but in the introduction of a new concept of lighting: in fact, aside from their key feature of LEDs with a 150 lm/W efficiency, Lighting Mode streetlamps include various built-in technologies and functions, such as remote monitoring, electronic surveillance and light intensity modulation, with the possibility of adding and adapting functions to meet the various needs of public administrations or private individuals.

Since the LEDs have no arc tube lamps or light bulbs, they are more resistant to vibrations and bumps. They contain no gases, mercury vapours, lead or other toxic substances, and therefore comply with all the requirements of the RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations. Since the products are free from harmful pollutants, they do not require special disposal. The LED they use is a high-efficiency model (150 lumen/W) produced by one of the most cutting-edge companies in the semiconductor sector. Moreover, the LED’s directional emission reduces light pollution to a minimum, with special lenses incorporated for a uniform diffusion of the light beam that is confined purely to the road surface. A further feature of these streetlamps is their absence of thermal and ultraviolet radiation: no mutagenic damage is caused to persons or to the pigmentation of illuminated monuments or art works. An additional factor that should not be ignored is that due to the absence of these emissions, the LED diodes do not attract insects. Their service life duration is also interesting: this is estimated at 50,000 hours for LED systems (10-12 years, 12 hours a day), compared to 14,000 hours for sodium vapour lamps (a little over 3 years, 12 hours a day), and 9,000 hours for mercury vapour lamps (10-14 months, 12 hours a day). According to estimates, the brightness of LED systems diminishes to 70% of initial levels after 50,000 hours and this can be considered the end of the useful life of the LED. The already long lifespan of LEDs (in the region of 100,000 hours) is further increased in Lightmode streetlamps

by the use of stable and well-tested military-designed electronics that limit any kind of stress on the LED device.

Betagroup, which was formed in 2007, specialises in the energy-saving and renewable energy sectors and in recent years has conducted several projects to promote new technologies. In addition to the LED streetlamps, these ongoing projects also include work on photovoltaic plants, thermal solar panels, energy-saving lamps and small wind turbine plants. Together with the Swedish firm Alcoa, the Pomezia-based company has also presented a model for car park canopies with photovoltaic roofs, designed for easy assembly thanks to their flexible modular structure.