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2016_ReNewCanada_Hamilton

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to Enersource Power Services—and the race was on. Illuminating decisions through mapping Hamilton has a strong background in leveraging geographic information systems (GIS), which are used to map and analyze various types of information. In 2013, the city began using Esri's ArcGIS platform and completely revamped their online engineering records system using the technology the following year. The new system allows staff and partners, such as contractors and consultants, to access more than 200,000 municipal engineering records through an interactive online map. Recognizing significant efficiencies from leveraging the platform, the city used its GIS I f you pass through the main streets of Hamilton, you'll notice that street lights have become much brighter. The city recently completed an extensive street light retrofit project that replaced 10,000 street lights with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) technology. City council approved the street light conversion in December 2014 to take advantage of the $3.5-million provincial incentive offered by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) through its SaveONEnergy program. Without the incentive, the project cost would have been $5.5 million. To qualify for funding, the city had to complete the work by December 31, 2015, to receive the funding. In March 2015, the city awarded the contract to supply and install LED lights expertise to prioritize which street lights should be replaced. After mapping and analyzing the location and energy consumption data for the 40,000 street lights the city owns, they were able to identify and target the replacement of 10,000 street lights on main streets that consumed the largest amount of energy. The city previously used high-pressure sodium (HPS) cobra-head street lights, which emitted an orange-coloured light. These high-wattage lights (200 and 250 watts each) represented only 25 per cent of street lights across the city, but accounted for half of the city's street-light energy consumption. The city selected several types of LED lights from General Electric for the project, which consume up to 60 per cent less electricity and are designed to function for AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT How Hamilton replaced 10,000 streetlights with LEDs on time and under budget—with the help of mapping technology. By Gord McGuire Credits: City of Hamilton Top: A mobile app enables inspectors to confirm whether the correct LED light is installed at the right location and sends the information to the corporate GIS. Bottom: The Hamilton Street Lighting Story Map incorporates multimedia content to engage the public and keep them informed about the project. ReNew Canada March /April 2016 © 2016 Actual Media Inc. Reprinted with permission.

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