HUDDERSFIELD is switching on to a new type of street light.

Energy-efficient street lights have been installed in Thornton Lodge helping Kirklees Council to put in 30% extra lighting while increasing its energy use by only 5%.

The street lights, developed by Leeds-based Harvard Engineering, use ground-breaking technology to reduce carbon emissions and potentially save £40 on energy costs each year – the company’s website puts the figure at £25.

The firm’s LeafNut system uses modern electronics in the lamp head linked to web-based wireless technology to provide remote control to individual lights or groups of lights.

The system manages the light output, allowing the lights to be dimmed at any specific location at different times of the night.

This can save electricity, cuts costs, reduce carbon consumption and light pollution.

Using the system, a road junction or area of all-night activity can remain fully-lit, while lighting levels may be reduced for nearby housing, industrial parks or side streets.

At a press of a button, the lights can be brought back to full intensity – providing a safety aspect which can be maintained in conjunction with existing CCTV monitoring.

Andrew Bullen, group engineer for street lighting at Kirklees Council, said: “With the introduction of carbon reduction targets and volatility pricing in the energy markets, it has become more important than ever to reduce the amount of electricity used by street lighting.

“Some local authorities have made the decision to switch off street lights. In Kirklees, we have looked to technology to help us achieve savings.

“The LeafNut system allows us to do this by reducing light levels at particular times, rather than switching lights off.”

A Kirklees Council spokesman said the council would continue to monitor the system for the next month or so and would consider it for all new and replacement lighting systems.

The scheme had increased the number of lights in the area by 30% on streets that were previously lit, but with the dimming implemented had only increased energy consumption by 5%.

The scheme had also provided lighting in areas that were previously unlit, the spokesman said.

Clr David Sheard, Kirklees cabinet member for transportation, said: “As well as cutting costs, the system will provide a significant contribution towards the local authority’s targets for reduced greenhouse gas emission.

“The Climate Change Act has set legally-binding targets for an 80% reduction in these emissions by 2050.

“Kirklees met its first target, reducing emissions by 30.1% at the end of 2005. A further 30% reduction is required by 2020 and the opportunities for making savings are becoming harder to find.”

Harvard Engineering began development work on its LeafNut system six years ago. That work won the firm a prestigious Lighting Design Award for light sources and control gear.

Harvard Engineering, formed in 1993, is a leading designer and manufacturer of electronic control products for the lighting industry.

As well as its LeafNut monitoring and control system, it makes emergency lighting systems and fluorescent lighting for commercial and retail premises and emergency lighting manufacturers in the UK, Europe, the USA and Far East.