How does the competition work?

Proposals should build at least two use cases from the following focus topics and build on existing projects and goals. Feel free to adapt the project approach to your local needs. We are looking for challenges for which we work together to develop innovative technical solutions.

These solutions are not only intended to improve the quality of life of citizens, but also serve as best practices for other municipalities.

Public/Municipal Security

Activate and extend solutions that address critical issues of public safety in transportation, rapid response to emergencies, or infrastructure resilience.

Other Use Cases

We also welcome the submission of alternative, compelling, well-documented, and creative use cases.

Security Cameras

Cameras help prevent crime and are a powerful deterrent to public safety.

Municipalities to be selected with the strategic intention of implementing a real-world laboratory can win the BrightSites technologies in gold and silver levels.

A total of up to 5 competition entries, each with infrastructure and services worth €300,000, will be awarded. The quality of the up to 5 applications to be awarded will determine whether the Gold or Silver level will be awarded.

During the implementation period, extensive support will be provided to test the technology, learn from the implementation and discuss funding and financing opportunities to move the project from initial operation to permanent implementation.

The following prize levels for the project equivalent are planned:

Project Timeline

The Center for Digital Development GmbH (ZDE) is a neutral provider of consulting and planning services for municipalities, regions, institutions and municipal companies from the energy industry, real estate industry and industry. The focus is on convergent, technical solutions for overall strategies for the establishment and implementation of the topics of digitization and smart city as well as neighborhood development concepts. It also offers complete services in the field of sensor and 5G campus networks.

Another focus is on the planning and implementation of tenders, inter-municipal networking and modern participation formats that can be implemented on site or online. These formats are designed to actively involve citizens in the projects and to get them excited about the process. In municipal heat planning, the ZDE provides support, for example, through stakeholder workshops, communication strategies and citizen dialogues that give all those involved a clear voice in the transformation process.

In addition to these services, the strengthening of municipal administrations in the field of digitization is an important concern, which is why the ZDE operates its own, AZAV-certified academy to impart knowledge and specific skills in the areas of digitization and smart city. Here, the offer consists of the only IHK-certified qualification as a Smart City Expert (IHK) in Germany. Furthermore, further Smart City educational approaches are being developed in close cooperation with the network of lecturers. Both the in-house Smart City Campus and the smart climate forest illustrate different smart city solutions for our customers. With numerous partners throughout Germany and an impressive list of successful reference projects, the ZDE has established itself as a reliable partner for digital transformation.

Project Schedule

1. Are projects independent of luminaires, e.g. for the condition monitoring of roads or other infrastructure, also conceivable?
In general, the technology already exists in a standardized form without the luminaire. Signify Bright-Sides’ innovation was to integrate the technology into the luminaire and not touch the cityscape.

2. How long does the pilot run and are there any costs for the municipality for this time?
The pilot is planned for six months, with the expansion to take place in the first quarter. During the pilot’s time, there are no further costs for the municipalities except for the own contribution.

3. What would be the optimal size of the project area?
Ideally, this is a size of 200-300 square meters to one square kilometer. However, this depends on the road structure.

4. Is there advice on the applications?
In any case, there will be a consulting service, depending on whether it is pure sensor applications. Signify is of course available when it comes to the specific technology of the broadband luminaires.

Costs and implementation

5. What are the costs of running a Wi-Fi network?
In many cases, the network is operated by the municipality’s IT department itself or by the municipal utilities. Signify can offer training here (costs 4,000 €) with instructions on how to monitor the network. Alternatively, a partner can do this.

6. What are the ongoing costs for software maintenance and hardware warranty after the first year?
With a network of this size, the running costs amount to about 5,000 € per year.

7. Will the installation of the existing luminaires take into account the protection of historical monuments?
No facades or light poles are touched, rather only the lights have to be replaced. Signify takes into account the use of visually similar luminaires (both historical and technical luminaires).

8. How much would a conversion cost per luminaire on average?
In general, it is not the price of luminaires that is considered, but of systems. It is an urgent goal to open up areas, and the business case calculations can later be revealed in a detailed conversation.

9. What percentage of the personal contribution can be compensated for by personal contribution (personnel, planning)?
Signify is responsible for the broadband luminaires including planning. The other part of the use cases (devices, installation, etc.) can be taken over by partners. The city and municipal utilities can support with their own contributions.

Technical conditions

10. Is a fiber-optic infrastructure needed in the municipality for implementation?
Yes, a fiber-optic infrastructure is required for implementation. However, it is not expected that the municipality itself has a fiber optic connection. In most municipalities, there is usually an Internet service provider that can be contacted.

11. What is the distance between the luminaires?
The distance between the luminaires depends on the required bandwidth. Normally, there is a distance of 150 meters between the luminaires.

12. Is continuous power required for the lantern locations?
The street lights are powered by 3 phases (5-wire cables), and the luminaires are evenly distributed over the three phases. All three phases are switched on and off via a contactor.

For a 24/7 power supply, all broadband lights are connected to a single phase, and instead of switching this phase, it is powered 24/7. The remaining two phases continue to be switched via a contactor.

13. Is an existing broadband lighting infrastructure necessary for the funding?
The only thing that is necessary are use cases and a fiber optic connection provided. The rest (broadband luminaires, handling, planning, installation and equipment for use cases) is provided by Signify.

14. What is the data path used to transmit (sensor) data and where is it aggregated and processed? How would the data be passed on, e.g. for analysis purposes, or do you offer an end-to-end platform solution for this?
Basically, there must be a platform behind it that records the data, analyzes it and makes it available to the city. Signify does not cover this, but partners can provide it. These would be added on the basis of the use case. End-to-end, this would then be delivered to the municipality.

After the pilot phase

15. What amount of infrastructure can be expected in the event of a win?
If the competition is won, the municipality will receive ten fiber-optic data points in a district to connect IoT devices. These are done by replacing the luminaires with broadband luminaires. 1-2 IoT devices can be connected to each of the luminaires, e.g. Wi-Fi access point and camera or sensors.

The following services are included:

• Network planning including site survey
• Documentation Technical solution
• Broadband luminaires with PoE connection
• Light control to keep the lights off during the day
• IoT devices from preferred Signify partners
• Delivery
• Installation of luminaires and IoT devices
• Commissioning after installation

16. Who owns the hardware after the pilot phase?
The luminaires remain in the possession of the municipalities or the municipal utilities, if available.

17. Who will be the operator of the network in the future?
For the time of the pilot, Signify Bright-Sides will take care of this. Afterwards, the question arises: Is there anyone on the municipal side who operates the WLAN? In the future, this can take over the network (e.g. IT department, existing partner). If not, both city-side IT partners and new external partners (so-called system integrators) can be invited to take care of it after the pilot.

18. What is the approximate cost of operation by system integrators after the pilot phase?
Basically, it depends on the type of network, the size, and the use case. Will be taken into account in the further course of the project.