When night falls, the city lights are lit up as part of the bustling night scene. These points of light are not just decorations, they are the guardians of the night, silently contributing to people's safety and convenience. In this era, we have not only witnessed the economic boom and the improvement of living standards, but also the obscure urban infrastructure that underpins all aspects of our daily lives.
One of the most obvious and important is the street lamps that are scattered throughout the city and countryside. The street lamps that turn on automatically every night seem to have become a natural existence in our lives, but the story behind them is little known. How China's street lights work, and the story behind them, is the theme we want to be the first to do today.
We live in a city where thousands of street lights are lit up every night. But behind the operation of these street lights, there is a huge and complex system hidden. First of all, the setting of street lights is not arbitrary, they follow strict planning and design. The display, spacing and illumination time of each street lamp are carefully calculated to ensure even distribution of light and maximum efficiency.
Urban street lights not only provide lighting, they also undertake the dual task of safety and beautification of the city. At 8 p.m. in summer or 6 p.m. in winter, as the sky gets darker, the street lights are lit on time to provide a safe passage environment for the public. In addition, many cities also set up light shows in business districts or parks, which not only meet people's spiritual needs, but also enhance the appearance of the city.
However, all of this is made possible by huge energy consumption. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of street lights in China has reached 30.29 million in 2020, and this number is increasing every year. The amount of electricity used and billed annually per night is astronomical. The energy consumption of street lights and the corresponding financial pressure are issues that we cannot ignore.
The operating cost of street lights is an issue that should not be underestimated. According to the data of 2020, if the electricity consumption of each street lamp is calculated at 3 kWh per night, the electricity consumption of street lamps in the country per night has reached 10 million kWh, and the corresponding electricity bill expenditure is also a huge number. And this is only based on a part of the calculation of street lights, and the actual number may be even larger.
Although streetlights bring convenience and safety to our nightlife, their operating costs also put a strain on national finances. This is not only an economic issue, but also an energy and environmental issue. Balancing the benefits of these street lights with their operating costs is a matter that needs to be carefully considered.
It is worth noting that the electricity cost of street lights is not entirely borne by **. In some residential areas, the cost of street lights is usually paid by the strata company, and this fee comes from the strata fee paid by the residents. This means that in the end, these costs are borne by the public.
In the face of such huge electricity bills and environmental pressures, ** and all sectors of society are looking for solutions. Among them, energy conservation and emission reduction have become a key direction. In recent years, with the advancement of technology, more energy-efficient LED street lamps have gradually replaced traditional high-pressure sodium lamps, which not only reduces energy consumption, but also reduces maintenance costs.
At the same time, with the proposal of the "double carbon" goal, energy conservation and environmental protection have become important considerations for the renewal and upgrading of urban street lighting systems. By adopting more efficient lighting technology and intelligent management systems, not only can energy consumption be reduced, but also the efficiency of street lights can be improved.
In addition, some cities are experimenting with solar street lights, which can store solar energy during the day and use it at night, reducing dependence on the grid. These innovations not only help to reduce the fiscal burden, but are also important measures to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development.
China's street lighting system, as an important part of urban infrastructure, not only illuminates our nights, but also reflects social and technological progress. In the face of high operating costs and environmental challenges, we are working towards a more energy-saving and environmentally friendly direction through technological innovation and management improvement. Street lamps, this inconspicuous corner of daily life, actually carry the fruits of the joint efforts of the state and society. On this bright path, everyone's contribution is precious, and together we can create a sustainable future.
While we appreciate the warmth and convenience brought by street lights at night, few people think deeply about the stories behind these lights. But it is these seemingly insignificant details that form the cornerstone of our urban life. From the intelligent management of each street lamp to the energy-saving transformation of the entire urban lighting system, these are the results of the joint efforts of the state and society.
However, the ultimate goal of all these efforts is not just to save costs or reduce environmental impact. More importantly, they embody our quest for a better quality of life. Street lamps are not just lighting tools, they are the eyes of the city, guarding the safety of night walkers, dotting the night scene of the city, enhancing our perception of a better life.
In the future, with the further development and application of technology, we have reason to believe that urban street lights will exist in a more intelligent, efficient and environmentally friendly way. Not only will they continue to brighten up our nights, but they will also be an important symbol of our urban civilization in a more sustainable way.
Everyone is a participant in this process. Whether it's through tax payments or through everyday energy-saving behaviors, we're all contributing to the operation and upgrading of this system. It's a process of mutual aid and sharing, and everyone's participation is crucial.
All in all, street lights are not just a lighting tool at night, they are a part of urban life and a testimony to our joint efforts. In the future, let's look forward to a brighter, smarter and more sustainable urban living environment.