ENGIE, a global benchmark for low-carbon energy and services, has a mission to accelerate the energy transition to a carbon-neutral world through the consolidation of partnerships with companies and cities focusing on projects to reduce energy consumption and generate power from renewable sources. The company now expands its partnership with TIM, the 5G leader with presence in 100% Brazilian municipalities, to foster the growth and development of smart cities through new public lighting and connectivity projects, contributing above all to improve life in society.
With the purpose of building solid and long-term results, ENGIE and TIM share bold sustainability goals connected with their ESG pledges and a strong commitment to solutions for businesses and cities to help reduce costs, improve infrastructure, and achieve greater energy efficiency and connectivity. ENGIE has since 2018 partnered with the Telco in energy management and planning involving contracting renewable sources, the Free-Market purchase of clean energy, renewable energy certificates (I-RECs), and TIM’s Distributed Generation, which already covers 64 solar, hydro and bio-gas plants, with plans to reach 100 by yearend.
Now, after TIM’s implementation of its technology in over 5 thousand smart public light fixtures in the city of Petrolina (PE) together with ENGIE, the Telco was again selected for the smart public lighting project in the first state capital in Brazil: Curitiba. The public-private partnership (PPP) agreement between ENGIE and the City was announced in late March and provides for the operation, maintenance and expansion of the city’s lighting infrastructure over a period of 23 years. The partnership with TIM covers approximately 45 thousand management points for smart light fixtures across the city.
“This is a long-term partnership between two companies that are strongly committed to the energy transition. The partnership began in 2018 through our energy management and planning projects, and has secured for TIM a 20% decrease in energy costs and contributed to reducing its CO2 emissions. With our innovation-oriented vision, focusing on smarter, more efficient and more sustainable cities, TIM has been a key ally for connectivity and technology. The ability for remote and real-time monitoring of public lighting points will enable increased operational assertiveness and efficiency, which translates into reduced energy consumption. We are enthusiastic about our ongoing and upcoming projects”, said ENGIE Soluções CEO Jacques-Olivier Klotz.
For the new project in Curitiba, the implementation project is expected to begin in 2023, after mapping the network modernization that the concession holder is to undertake. The new lighting is forecast to reduce the municipality’s energy consumption by an estimated 33%, optimizing costs for the local administration and operating equipment with longer useful lives and reduced environmental impact. With the provision of an end-to-end solution for connectivity, hardware and software under the offering called TIM Smart Lighting, the smart fixtures may feature, for example, pre-programmed lighting and dimming according to routines set by the concession holder. It also enables remote monitoring and identification of off-standard behaviors, carrying out predictive maintenance, and optimizing the energy management process, which will take place from an operational control hub. The technology further enables improved control over the municipality’s energy consumption and supports energy efficiency-related decision-making.
For TIM Brasil CEO Alberto Griselli, ENGIE’s selection of TIM underscores the Telco’s IoT expertise for public lighting projects not only in Curitiba, but for every city in Brazil. “We know that fostering the development of smart cities contributes to improving people’s lives. TIM is distinguished by the largest mobile network in Brazil and its presence in every Brazilian municipality. And connectivity will enable better energy management for the city, contributing to its energy efficiency. We are very glad about expanding our partnership with ENGIE and emphasize, once more, our commitment to support the country’s development through technology,” he said.
Several possibilities emerge from the recent public lighting partnership between TIM and ENGIE. For example, by means of the public lighting infrastructure under ENGIE’s management, TIM will increase signal availability for telephone and data, including 5G, which may also, in partnership with ENGIE, enable projects on the Internet of Things (IoT) front. These are just a few highlights from among many more opportunities that will make cities smarter and better connected in the near future.
As Brazil’s renewable energy leader, ENGIE develops technological solutions to turn cities into smarter and more energy efficient spaces. The company’ currently operates more than 1 million public lighting points worldwide, 130 thousand of which in Brazil – 90 thousand in Uberlândia (MG) and 40 thousand in Petrolina (PE).