Tunable White and Biodiversity
The relationship between outdoor lighting and ecological health is receiving increasing attention. Studies show that nocturnal species are sensitive to bright or high-CCT lighting, and even small variations in wavelength and intensity can alter feeding habits, migration patterns, and reproduction. Municipalities are therefore adopting a new priority: delivering safe illumination for people without disturbing local ecosystems.
One of the most effective technologies supporting this transition is tunable white lighting. Instead of using a fixed colour temperature, tunable white systems can automatically shift between warm and cool tones depending on time of night, traffic patterns, or environmental sensitivity. Warm light, especially below 2700 K, reduces blue-rich wavelengths that impact insects and animals. In many zones, municipalities aim for approximately 2200–2400 K after midnight or during low-use periods.
Luxega adapts this approach to the retrofit market, integrating tunable white technology directly into LED inserts for existing luminaires. This gives municipalities the flexibility and ecological benefits of advanced lighting without requiring full luminaire replacement. Each insert is engineered with dual LED channels—warm and cool—that can be independently controlled to achieve a wide range of CCT levels. This enables dynamic adaptation that respects the needs of both humans and local ecosystems.
Adaptive profiles are at the core of the system. In ecological corridors or near water, luminaires may run in ultra-warm mode with low output. On residential streets, the insert can maintain moderate CCT levels while reducing intensity during off-peak hours. For roads requiring higher visibility, the system can temporarily switch to a neutral-white setting when traffic increases. These transitions can occur automatically through integration with DALI controls, D4i drivers, Zhaga interfaces, or standalone sensors.
Presence detection reinforces this biodiversity-friendly strategy. When no pedestrians or vehicles are present, luminaires dim to minimal output or shift to very warm CCT values. This reduces energy consumption and limits unnecessary ecological disruption. When motion is detected, the system increases output just long enough to maintain safety. The result is a lighting environment that adapts continuously to real-world conditions rather than running at fixed settings for the entire night.
For municipalities, this approach supports multiple objectives: compliance with sustainability goals, reduced operational costs, improved habitat protection, and enhanced citizen satisfaction. The ability to implement tunable white technology within existing housings also aligns with circularity principles, as it extends the useful life of current assets rather than replacing them.
As cities move toward more environmentally conscious lighting strategies, tunable white retrofits represent a powerful tool. Luxega’s LED inserts combine ecological sensitivity with precision engineering, enabling outdoor lighting systems that work seamlessly for people, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.