Smart lighting

Smart lighting in public areas, energy savings of up to 70-80%

A study by the Milan Polytechnic for Assil, in support of the Ddl on public lighting efficiency through digitised systems

by R.I.T.

10 February 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

In Italia, 10 million public lighting points
Energy and environmental benefits
Lighting and Digital Transition

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The benefits of technology on energy-efficient lighting and - hence - on reducing environmental impact and costs is obvious to all. Long gone are the days when, in order to save on the electricity bill, the only option was to switch off as many lights as possible.

Today, so-called 'intelligent lights' make it possible to control, programme and optimise light sources while improving their functional and aesthetic performance. An achievement that has the triple advantage of reducing the environmental pollution of lighting, of reducing energy costs and of having opened up prairies of experimentation and innovation for manufacturers of luminaires and lighting systems.

While this has been established for several years in the private sector, the culture of 'intelligent lighting' is also spreading rapidly in the public sector, as demonstrated by Bill No. 1700, deposited in the Senate and entitled 'Provisions for the efficiency of public lighting and public buildings through the promotion of state-of-the-art digitalised lighting systems'.

Precisely to discuss this bill - and the potential that its approval would trigger - the meeting 'Intelligent public lighting: a lever for the country's energy and digital transition' was held in Rome, promoted on the initiative of Senator Clotilde Minasi, during which a study by Assil (Association of lighting manufacturers), carried out in collaboration with the Milan Polytechnic, was presented.

The measure aims to provide a clear framework on the best technologies available today to modernise lighting infrastructures in the public sector, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption and emissions. In fact, the regulatory proposal aims to encourage the adoption of intelligent and digitised lighting systems, based on LED technologies, light sensors and remote management platforms, capable of integrating monitoring, automation and predictive maintenance functions.

The objective is twofold, explain Assil: 'on the one hand to reduce operating and maintenance costs for public administrations, and on the other to improve safety, service quality and environmental sustainability through centralised and intelligent control of lighting networks'.

In Italia, 10 million public lighting points

According to the Assil-Politecnico study, there are about 10 million public lighting points in Italia, of which 65% have already been converted to LED technology. Future interventions will therefore have to focus on the remaining 35%, amounting to about 3.5 million lighting points.

The study outlines three development scenarios: from the basic, more conservative scenario, which envisages the simple replacement of obsolete luminaires with LED solutions, to the advanced scenario, characterised by a technology-intensive evolution of public lighting. In the latter case, the complete LED conversion would be accompanied by a widespread diffusion of intelligent systems, consistent with the principles of smart cities and the objectives of the Epbd directive.

Energy and environmental benefits

In terms of energy and environmental benefits, the base scenario would lead to savings of 1.7 GWh, equivalent to the planting of approximately 11,950 trees per year and a reduction of 424 tonnes of CO₂. In contrast, the advanced scenario would lead to savings of 2.4 GWh, equivalent to 17,435 equivalent trees and a reduction of 619 tonnes of CO₂.

Outdoor public lighting is just one example of the concrete benefits of this measure, which could generate a significant multiplier effect of opportunities also in relation to the valorisation and management of state property. The introduction of 'smart lighting' systems can in fact generate energy savings of up to 70-80% compared to traditional systems, depending on the area of application.

Lighting and Digital Transition

This Bill is part of the digital and ecological transition of the country's urban infrastructures and represents a concrete step towards the creation of a national network of 'intelligent' public lighting and public buildings, consistent with the principles and objectives of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (Pniec), which envisages a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, Assil's top management claims.

Within six months of the approval of the text, the State-Regions Conference is to adopt national guidelines for the efficiency of public lighting and public buildings, promoting the use of the latest generation of digitalised systems. The guidelines will be updated every three years to ensure constant alignment with technological developments and European best practices in the field of intelligent lighting.

"The presentation of this bill represents an important point for the dissemination of quality lighting technologies. As Assil, we strongly support a measure that finally defines a clear framework for modernising public infrastructures, transforming lighting from a simple cost item into a strategic lever for the country's digital and ecological transition," explains the association's president, Carlo Comandini.