Illuminating NCKU's Nighttime Campus: Streetlight Lighting Upgrade

To improve nighttime safety and reduce energy use, the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) launched the "Campus Streetlight Energy-Saving Improvement Project" in 2023, replacing high-energy-consuming sodium lamps with efficient 83 W and 34 W light emitting diode (LED) streetlights.

LED Conversion Rate Hits 83%, Saving Nearly 290,000 kWh

From 2023 to 2025, 923 streetlights were upgraded. By March 2026, LED conversion on the main campus reached 83%. The upgrades are projected to save a total of 288,026 kWh annually, equivalent to about 136.5 metric tons of CO₂ or the yearly absorption of 734 mature trees.

Zoned Lighting and Smart Maintenance

Streetlights feature a "Numbering and QR Code Reporting System," allowing instant reporting of malfunctions. Color temperatures were chosen by location: 5,000 K white light for main areas and 3,000 K yellow light near dorms and libraries for comfort. Most LED lights include reserved slots for future smart sensors.

Smart Management and Dual Strategy

NCKU is developing a "Smart Streetlight Management System" with automatic dimming and proactive fault reporting. By combining "increasing brightness while reducing carbon emissions" and "smart governance," campus streetlights are becoming measurable green assets, enhancing safety and environmental visibility.

▲ LED streetlight installation