Răzvan Copoiu, General Manager of Signify Romania

The European Green Deal, the world’s most comprehensive climate action initiative, has been called “Europe’s man on the moon moment”. The program’s goals could not be more ambitious: to achieve a carbon-neutral continent by 2050, reconciling the economy and the way we consume resources with the planet, and making sure that nobody is left behind.

The Green Deal lays out a broad roadmap toward these goals, but how can you—as a business owner, municipality, manufacturer, agriculturalist, utility, or service provider—get started? What practical steps can you take to start participating—now—in the Green Deal’s ambition to cut emissions, create jobs, and boost innovation?

Signify, the world leader in lighting, has created the Green Switch program so that you can take action without any delay. LED and connected lighting offer one of the simplest and most often overlooked paths to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, but IoT capabilities built on top of the connected lighting infrastructure can help make the smart future a reality today, spurring job creation and driving prosperity.

Bold climate action is needed, and it’s needed now. Signify’s Green Switch provides many.

We asked Mr. Răzvan Copoiu, General Manager of Signify Romania how to quickly and conveniently participate in all five of the Green Deal’s flagship initiatives.

Mr. Răzvan Copoiu, can you provide some details about the Green Switch program run by Signify, which proposes a series of solutions for the fastest possible alignment with the Green Deal program?

The goals of the Green Deal, the most complex climate initiative currently, are extremely ambitious: Europe would become the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. This program aims to integrate the global economy with the way resources are consumed to better regulate the needs of the planet.

Our Green Switch program is adapted to the goals of the Green Deal and, as you mentioned, offers simple, fast solutions that can immediately help you achieve your goals. We aim to contribute to Romania’s transition to a greener, smarter, and better future for future generations.

What is important to note is that the light plays a key role in the safety and comfort of people, our innovations are actively helping to improve lives, and the scope of this program is the energy efficiency. Signify has been advocating for efficient and quality lighting for many years, so that we have a positive impact on the planet. Specifically, LED connected lighting offers one of the simplest solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

How do you see the application of these programs in the field of lighting in Romania, especially since there are already several energy efficiency programs in our country?

We are glad that, beyond the private sector, smart lighting has started to spread country wide, not only in big cities, but in small ones and in rural areas, in municipalities.

Programs such as Environmental Fund Administration or NRRP have funds for improving lighting systems in the public sector. In terms of public lighting in Romania, out of the 2 million light bulbs used for road and street lighting, approximately 25% of them have already been replaced with LED technology, through a Public Lighting program called “smart city”, which would reduce energy consumption by 80%. But there are many categories that require major interventions in an efficient and quality lighting system, such as health or education. Such programs are welcome, and if implemented correctly will significantly raise the standard of living in Romania.

What conditions should the PNRR program provide for proper and quality lighting?

This year, the priority is the public sector, and our direction is aligned with the NRRP, because we want to emphasize the contribution of lighting as a very clear component of energy performance and cost reduction, as well as the carbon footprint, performance indicators pursued by NRRP. We have a short period in which we can access the NRRP funds in order to implement solutions that result in energy savings, to reduce the city’s energy bill. The simplest solution for improving the lighting system are LED bulbs, which reduce consumption by 50%. The transition to LED lighting is one of the simplest modernization procedures, because it does not require large capital investments, can be done in a short time, ensures a quick return on investment and low maintenance costs. For example, in 2006 about 19% of global energy consumption was caused by conventional street lighting. Following the gradual transition to digital solutions, it has dropped to 13% in 2018 and it is estimated that by 2030, by continuing the process of “LED-making” and using IoT technology, the share of lighting will reach 8%.

If we add the connectivity component, it not only saves up to 80% compared to conventional lighting, but also allows remote control and management of real-time information about the status and operation of the lighting system, through the function of collecting and sharing data.

How can the transition from exploitation-production-disposal to use-reuse-regeneration be made?

If the exploitation-production-disposal economy were to continue, we would have to consume the resources of three planets on Earth by 2050. Half of the greenhouse gas emissions are generated by the production and use of new materials. These are the reasons why the transition to a use-reuse-regeneration economy is extremely important for protecting the environment and building a sustainable future. Sustainability is part of the Signify DNA. Our goal is to explore the extraordinary potential of light for a brighter life and a better world. By using circular and connected LED lighting by companies, in cities and homes, Europe can achieve extraordinary electricity savings – we can even eliminate the need to build new power plants. Our 3D printed devices have a 47% lower carbon footprint than traditional metal ones. In addition, they can be returned at the end of their life cycle to be recycled and printed again. Our Light-as-a-Service options – which allow customers to pay only for used light while we manage, reuse, and recycle lighting – promote sustainability throughout the life of lighting products. In addition, our circular lighting approach reduces maintenance costs by 60% and generates zero waste.

By changing the way, we create and use light, we can improve life and make a positive impact on the planet.

What is the most effective method of sustainability in a company?

Recent years have shown how quickly companies’ priorities can change, but sustainability has remained at the top of organizational goals. Many of these companies have adopted strategies based on the ESG model, which includes environmental, social and governance indices. This is the new approach to responsibility in business.

Operating on the ESG model requires not only energy efficiency, but also minimizing the effects on climate change and morality in management. A socially responsible company will ensure, first and foremost, a safe and flexible work environment that supports employee development.

What does smart lighting mean and how does it help customers improve efficiency, safety and optimize operations?

Smart lighting mixed LED lighting and information technology to take light beyond the simple function of lighting. Energy efficient LED lighting and intelligent lighting control minimize energy consumption and contribute to the achievement of sustainability goals. Our IoT Interact platform enables connected LED lighting systems and built-in sensor networks to collect data and provide customers with detailed information, benefits and new services.

With lighting management software, you can have complete control over your lighting on multiple floors, in multiple buildings or locations – from anywhere, anytime. An intuitive control panel gives you detailed information on lighting usage and allows you to remotely optimize lighting operations.

The benefits of this application are, in addition to the significant reduction in costs, robust security, but also supports the efficiency of employees because it has been scientifically proven that light has a deep impact on the human body. The system also uses the best cybersecurity standards in its class and allows access to the lighting system by authorized personnel only.

What are, in your point of view, the necessary changes in this environment that we face these days for a clean future?

Energy consumption has increased quickly for several years, in line with the fast decline in natural resources; that needs to change. To make the most of these resources, many companies need to move to a circular economy approach. A circular economy uses resources efficiently without wasting them, using reuse to the detriment of disposal. So how does the issue of lighting fit into this image of the circular economy? When we relate the circular economy to lighting, the products are designed in a fully sustainable way. When the luminaire reaches the end of its life, it can be upgraded and reused, or materials and parts can be returned for reuse or recycling. If we, the industry, can understand and apply these principles, we will all enjoy a brighter life in a better world.

Website: https://www.signify.com/ro-ro

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