The article gives an overview of various researches dealing with smart or intelligent street lighting systems, and what is meant with this term in different countries. Several available architectures of smart street lighting systems as well as those for future are described and discussed. Further some researches and developments of such systems in Riga Technical University are explained with the examples, also showing preliminary practical energy saving results of tests in real conditions of Riga city infrastructure. This is the first part of articles series about this research.

According to standards, the lighting system is one of the key elements to provide safety on city roads, defined by quality parameters. LED technology and movement detection sensor interaction bring about new regulation techniques, creating an energy-efficient smart LED lighting system concept. This paper reveals extensive comparative data analysis of Dialux simulation results before the project implementation phase and in-situ quality parameter measurements for various street profiles and LED luminary power types. After the project implementation phase, more than 1000 measurement points are reached. Further, energy efficiency increase issues in smart lighting systems are described in terms of LED luminary dimming profile analysis and future dynamic control application modes. The first findings clearly show that in most cases light output in simulation results is lower than in real situations; therefore, LED luminary power can be decreased, allowing for higher energy savings in first luminary maintenance years, keeping the same defined ME class or safety level. Let us suppose that the traffic intensity data are obtained from smart system sensors. In that case, the ME class can be dynamically selected during different night times, thus increasing safety and providing extra energy savings using the same system elements, as well as leading to better ROI values.

Intelligent LED dimmer demand in lighting market is increasing due to energy saving potential, environment protection as well as great possibility of control and management of lighting systems. An internet web browser controlled LED lighting systems is developed and described in the article. The 1st is radio-wave and internet implementation between LED light source (lamp) and control point. The 2nd are ZigBee network and internet implementation. Special Hall effect based LED dimmer circuit is developed. FileMaker database implementation in the computer controlled electrical technologies still is rare.

Creation of good knowledge is based on practical exercise combined with theory learning. Studies in electrical engineering require many different laboratory exercises, traditionally carried out within the premises of university, where students can practice only several hours per week or even less. Such limited possibilities stipulate longer course durations and reduce knowledge creation quality. Possibility to gain some practical skills before carrying out laboratory assignments in real laboratory can become an essential part of the studies., facilitating much deeper understanding of the subject. For this reason a web-based e-Learning distance workshop in electrical engineering is elaborated and discussed in this paper. It is planned to cover courses in electrical drives, power electronics, LED lightning and automatic control.

Bidirectional energy flow monitoring near 230 V AC or 600 V DC micro-grid consumers - industrial devices or household consumers - rise questions regarding measurement methods and devices self power consumption, price and precision. Article deals with overall 3×230V+N AC and 600V DC micro-grid bidirectional monitoring system design as well as measurement modules communication and data logging.