Interview with Sjors van de Zanden, owner of InfraLight

Sjors van de Zanden is the owner of InfraLight, an independent consultant for public lighting. Van de Zanden is expert in public lighting, from the design phase to management function – as consultant, manager and project leader. Van de Zanden is primarily active in the cities of Eindhoven and Bergen op Zoom and for project developers and homeowner associations.

Fascinated by lighting

Van de Zanden has made a career of his fascination with lighting. “Nine years ago I became a public lighting project leader at the local utility company NRE. This is how I came into contact with the field of lighting. I had seen the light and was gripped by the subject. What appeals to me is the diversity of products for public lighting and the many ways in which solutions can be offered. Much work needs to be tailored, because every community has specific wishes. In recent years high-end technology has become available, such as LED lighting and dimming equipment. Themes like energy conservation and sustainability play an important role. That makes the field even more interesting.”

Critical

Van de Zanden is critical. “Especially when it concerns cost reductions, I am very critical. In some cases, dimming a conventional installation is a better alternative than placing new LED lamps, no matter what the reason.”

Trust

Initially, Van de Zanden was sceptical with respect to Innolumis’ luminaires. “Innolumis was a new party with a different concept. I first wanted to know what kind of company it was and what kind of technology they had. Innolumis has several founders in the company who instill trust. The fact that Warner Philips is involved fosters trust. In terms of development, Innolumis is highly regarded. Innolumis is mentioned in the same breath as Philips, Indal and Schreder. For a company that is only four years old, that is quite an accomplishment.”

Correct application

Van de Zanden has been following Innolumis from the beginning. “I was not impressed with one of their first demonstration projects, in Rotterdam. In the Prinses Beatrixlaan a Golden Green solution was applied. The product was not bad but it did not fit the environment. Moonlight would have fit better, but that colour did not yet exist.”

The concept works

In 2011, the Dutch guidelines for public lighting were revised. Van de Zanden was a member of the ROVL committee for mesopic vision of the NSVV [1]. “The committee focused mainly on theory, but I have seen in practice that Innolumis’ light indeed gives a visibility bonus. It is difficult to quantify, but that visibility bonus exists. In Bergen op Zoom, the design indicated 0.75 cd/m². Innolumis can do that with half, with their concept: 0.38 cd/m². I thought: I would like to let the city test it, and we got them to do it. After installation, we received largely positive reactions. Of course, I also tested the installation and I also experienced it positively. And we conserve more than 50% energy, compared to the old SOX illumination.”