Thiruvananthapuram: The
automatic switching system for street lights is much in demand in the
state, with local bodies partnering with KSEB in this regard in a bid to
save electricity, cut power bills and reduce carbon footprint. These
lights automatically turn off at dawn and switch on when the sun sets.

Palakkad
municipality is the latest to install the Kakatiya Nature Switch in
Sultanpet and Big Bazar areas. According to KSEB chairman M. Sivasankar
some local bodies in Thiruvananthapuram and other parts of the state
have installed the automatic switches in an effort to save power.

The
project is part of KSEB’s Demand Side Management (DSM) programme, which
aims to improve energy savings through an incentivised scheme in order
to ensure public participation.

The
benefits of the automatic switches include timely lighting on the road,
reducing energy wastage and minimise human supervision. Nature switch
technology is based on advanced patented infrared sensing which
automatically adjusts to seasonal day length.

KSEB has now
decided to introduce the automatic switches in all local bodies and is
going for a state-wide tender. “We will have to assess which is the
superior technology for the automatic switches since a few such
technologies are on offer and also have to consider its
cost-effectiveness while picking for state-wide implementation,” said
Sivasankar.

“The Palakkad
municipality has reduced hefty maintenance costs due to the built-in
protection mechanism provided by Nature Switch. Now we can deploy the
same manpower for more productive work,” said K.B. Swaminathan, KSEB
executive engineer. Meter reading is also introduced in places where
automatic switches are introduced.