Castiello de Jaca, Huesca: lighting renovation with weather-resistant and night sky-friendly solutions

CASTIELLO DE JACA —6/6/2024— To enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability, the municipality of Castiello de Jaca, located in the Aragonese Pyrenees in Huesca, has undertaken a comprehensive renovation of its public lighting system. In total, 332 high-pressure sodium luminaires have been replaced with state-of-the-art 2200 K ultra-warm color temperature ATP LED lights, including classic models (Villa XLA), urban (Evolucion LC), and road (Enur L) luminaires, as well as projectors (Aire® Series 5). With the collaboration of ATP Lighting, Castiello de Jaca has shown a strong commitment to environmental protection, as well as to saving on consumption and maintenance.

 

About Castiello de Jaca

 

Castiello de Jaca is a beautiful municipality in the Jacetania region, situated at nearly 1000 meters altitude in the heart of the Pyrenees. The town is located on the slope of a mountain on the right bank of the Aragón River in the Canfranc Valley. The main core of the town is divided into two parts by the Casadioses ravine, which flows into the aforementioned river.

 

A municipality seeking efficiency and durability

 

The exterior lighting renovation project in Castiello de Jaca focused on improving energy efficiency and ensuring a long lifespan for the luminaires in a challenging environment. Thanks to the funds managed by IDAE from the Sustainable Urban Development 5000 program (DUS 5000), LED luminaires with an ultra-warm 2200 K color temperature and customized optics for each area were installed. This technology, along with a suitable lighting project, provided highly efficient lighting and reduced energy consumption by more than 70%.

 

The municipality chose ATP Lighting for the proven durability of its products. Seventeen years ago, Castiello de Jaca had already installed ATP luminaires, which remained in excellent condition to date. This history of durability was crucial in the municipal corporation's decision, which highly valued the resistance and quality of ATP luminaires compared to solutions from other companies that showed poor results and frequent failures. The municipality needed durable and resistant solutions to ensure the quality of life for its residents and guarantee electrical safety and long-term reliability.

 

It is also worth mentioning that the new luminaires integrate Comfort Diffuser®, an innovation patented by ATP to mitigate LED glare and improve visual comfort and uniformity.

 

Reduction in blue emission with ATP Lighting's 2200 K ultra-warm color temperature

 

The new luminaires in Castiello de Jaca have been installed with ATP's 2200 K ultra-warm color temperature, which emits a blue spectral radiant flux of only 1.28% (wavelengths below 440 nm). This contributes to preserving the darkness of the night sky in the sensitive environment of the Aragonese Pyrenees.

 

It is important to note that the same warm color temperature can have differences in the percentage of blue spectral component of up to 45% depending on the manufacturer. ATP ensures that its ultra-warm color temperatures, such as 2200 K, have the lowest blue indices on the market. Additionally, ATP's 2200 K achieves a faithful and natural color reproduction, with a color rendering index above 70.

 

The combination of a low blue index with adequate power and optimal light direction to avoid over-illumination allows municipalities that opt for such projects, like Castiello de Jaca, to access sky quality certifications like Starlight.

 

Efficient architectural lighting for the San Miguel Church

 

The project included the lighting of the well-known San Miguel Church, which was carried out with ATP's Aire® 5 Series LED floodlights. This solution, optimal for architectural lighting, has allowed the enhancement and beautification of the nocturnal appearance of this emblematic monument without sacrificing high efficiency and low energy consumption.

 

Like the rest of the lighting, the projectors use an ultra-warm 2200 K color temperature, providing an ideal aesthetic that harmonizes with the surroundings of a village characterized by its stone houses. Additionally, the low blue light emission from this light source significantly contributes to controlling light pollution, respecting the night sky, and preserving the natural beauty of the Aragonese Pyrenees.

 

Storm resistance and immunity to overvoltage from atmospheric discharges and ESD

 

One of the most notable aspects of the Castiello de Jaca project is the resistance of ATP luminaires to adverse weather conditions and overvoltage from atmospheric discharges. The high Pyrenees region is known for its frequent storms, and ATP's Class II luminaires, by not having a ground connection, do not provide a path for electrical disturbances. This is vital to prevent failures in the LED module and electronic equipment, providing a reliable and resistant lighting solution.

 

Additionally, ATP luminaires are immune to overvoltage caused by electrostatic discharges (ESD), another recurring problem in luminaires with metallic enclosures installed in the Aragonese Pyrenees. Since Class II luminaires do not have a ground connection, static charge tends to accumulate on the outer surface of the chassis and diffusers. If the charge on these parts reaches a certain limit, it discharges into the interior of the luminaire. This discharge or spark from the exterior to the interior can only occur through a conductive material, such as metal, causing the LED module and/or electronic equipment to fail.

 

To address this challenge, the ATP luminaires used in this project are made of insulating technical polymers and have no conductive parts that allow electrostatic discharge (ESD) to the electronic elements of the luminaire. This is why the installed luminaires are completely immune to ESD.

 

Mountain weather resistance and corrosion immunity

 

The weather resistance of ATP light points has also been crucial in Castiello de Jaca. ATP's exclusive polymeric materials show exceptional resistance to degradation from exposure to atmospheric agents such as rain, storms, hail, snow, and ice. Additionally, immunity to corrosion makes the new luminaires resistant to the use of salt to combat frost, a highly destructive agent for metallic light fixtures. All the supplied luminaires come with a comprehensive 10-year warranty, even under adverse conditions such as those caused by mountain weather.

 

Positive impact on the community and natural environment

 

The change in the lighting system has had a notable impact on the quality of life of the residents of Castiello de Jaca. In addition to greater safety and comfort, residents highlight the aesthetic improvement of the streets and the reduction of light pollution, allowing for better appreciation of the night sky and facilitating the observation of celestial bodies.

 

A continuous commitment to sustainability and innovation

 

The successful lighting renovation in Castiello de Jaca reflects the firm commitment of the Aragonese Pyrenees region to responsible modernization and environmental improvement. "The strategic collaboration between ATP and the municipal corporation has been essential to establish a standard of excellence in resource management and natural environment conservation," said Guillermo Redrado, vice president of ATP Lighting.

 

"This exemplary project stands out as a model of efficiency and sustainability, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to address environmental challenges. More than a simple infrastructure upgrade, this initiative represents a significant step towards a more modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly community, in line with the values of Castiello de Jaca," explained Miguel Ángel Tejero Sabugo, Northwest Zone Manager at ATP Lighting.

 

Sustainable Urban Development Program 5000

 

The Sustainable Urban Development program 5000 (DUS 5000), managed by IDAE, is a line of public aid for local entities in small municipalities, facilitating the implementation of sustainable projects for energy efficiency, renewable energy generation—particularly self-consumption—and the promotion of electric mobility.