GCD is not only sharing the experience of its members but also any promising initiative dedicated to the Information Society that may be of interest: We call such initiatives “Coup de Coeur”. Since dissemination and sharing of good practice are quintessential purpose of the network, new “Coup de Coeur” will be posted regularly on the website. So please remember visiting us often. We hope you find the “Coup de Coeur” as interesting and inspiring as we do!

Introducing the Dial4Light project.
Dörentrup, Germany

The German city of Dörentrup has successfully developed a modem and software that enables citizens to turn on the streetlights by cell phone after 11 p.m., thus saving money and the environment. Dial4light is considered the first of this kind in Europe and is worth promoting across the world.

This doesn't mean inhabitants are doomed to obscurity. Three steps are enough for the inhabitants to switch on lights on a specific street whenever they like. They first have to register their phone on a given website. When needed, they call a special number and recite or punch in the six-digit code that corresponds to the street they want to lit up. This code is available on the website and on every lamp in each street. Within a few seconds, the lights are on, switched by a control centre, and stay on long enough for people to walk from one end of the street to the other.

The project pilot proved to be so popular that the system runs now in the entire city. The move is expected to cut the city’s carbon emissions by around 12 tons each year. At the same time, the electricity bill is cut, making the system environmentally and financially viable. The local utility company who established this innovative project plans to launch "dial4light" in other countries. The idea is definitely worth it!