Dorentrup, a village in Germany, thought of switching off all its streetlights at night to reduce the current cost. But this led its residence worrying about the safety of traveling in the dark especially during the harsh winters when it darkens as early as 4pm; not until a local utility company Lemgo devised a solution called Dial4Light - the first of its kind in Europe.

How Dial4Light System Works

In this system of Dial4Light, firstly the user must register his or her phone on the scheme’s website; then when they want to light up a particular street they call the call the Dial4Light number and recite or dial in the six digit route code that corresponds to that street – which can be found online or on every street lamps - and within seconds the control center will switch the lights on for a few minutes. After this grace period the entire street lapses into pitch black darkness!

“Don’t expect the street lights to be on when there aren’t anyone outside”, says the Mayor of Dorentrup, Friedrich Ehlert, when angry residence initially protested to this idea. As a result, Dorentrup is cutting its electricity bills than before and also its carbon emission by some 12 tons every year. The scheme is cheaper and it works, adds on the Mayor.

Is Dial4Light Service available in other countries ?

Now, Lemgo plans to launch a similar scheme in five other countries like Norway, Sweden and France. The utility company is also planning to share its technology to as far as Dubai and the US. Thus, Lamgo’s special modem and software are in demand; thanks to the global economic crisis and Global Warming!

Relationship between Global economic Crisis , Global Warming and Dial4Light

At this time of economic crisis, every Government needs to cut down expenses. Also is the need to save our environment from carbon emissions and Global Warming. “Every one can do their bit”, quotes the Mayor of Dorentrup, who initiated the Dial4Light scheme despite opposition from its residence. Now the residence of Dorentrup decides when to turn on their street lights. They just have to send a 50 cent premium SMS to light the street for 15 minutes.

The energy costs of switching on the lights are normally borne by the municipality you live in. You can turn on the lighting from your  land phone too. You just have to register your landline number.

The cost of the telephone charges to turn on the lighting is negligible compared to the cost of turning on the lights through out the nights. Also, with temporary phone contracts, users incur no costs when dialing a landlines.

Energy costs for switching on a light or lights are normally borne by the municipality you live

The residence of Dorentrup are satisfied with the scheme and would like to continue it even after the initial 18 months of the scheme’s test launching.So the residence of this village doesn’t leave home without their mobiles!

Lights on demand may not be a success for big cities with enormous population.

Dial4Light scheme can be successfully implemented in US ?

Whether the Dial4Light scheme can be successfully implemented in US is a big question, but the awareness to save electricity and our environment must be implanted in the minds of the billion Americans.

Do your bit to reduce your carbon footprint. Also don’t forget your mobiles when you leave your home because you will be in the dark, says the residence of Dorentrup. Dial4Light is indeed an eco-friendly solution to conserve electricity and reduce carbon emissions.