FirstEnergy's Arm Replaces Sodium Lights With Smart LED

FirstEnergy Corp.’s FE unit Penelec converted more than 2,300 high-pressure sodium streetlights into smart LED streetlamps in downtown Erie and along the Bayfront during the period between November 2020 and June 2021.

The move is part of Erie's Smart City Project, which aims to transform the city and drive economic growth. The photocells of the new street lights are well-equipped with a Wi-Fi card that allows conveyance of real-time data to a control center via a wireless communications network. It will help Penelec monitor the working of streetlights for which it had to earlier rely on its customers or employees. Also, the standard photocells know when to switch on or off the streetlights depending on the time of the day.

FirstEnergy’s strategic investments help it serve its six million customers efficiently. In 2021, it expects to spend up to $2.9 billion while in 2022, it estimates to invest up to $2.9-$3.2 billion. Also, it provided the CAPEX guidance for 2023 in the range of $2.7-$3.1 billion.