"Lucy" hovered above the Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich for the first time in 2010. Its name was not selected as a matter of chance, since its 11,550 "diamonds" are glowing and light refracting crystals that lie over the Zurich boulevard. Compared with the original "Baldachin" lighting, the light emitting diodes (LED) use far less electricity – a total of just 3 kilowatt, about the same as an oven. In total Lucy uses about 100 times less energy than the "Baldachin" lighting. Compared with the much discussed predecessor lighting "The World's Largest Timepiece" with flash lights, the energy consumption is reduced by 50 percent.
The trend is to LED lighting Heinz Brandenberger, who is responsible for the external lighting department at Kummler+Matter AG, sees a clear trend towards LED lighting for Christmas illuminations. "Thanks to its energy efficiency and the low consumption, this technology will become the standard in the long run," he is convinced. This is supported by the fact that LEDs are no longer limited to just cold white light. In 11 of its 28 installed Christmas illumination displays, Kummler+Matter already uses LED technology.
Also in the Swiss towns of Aarau, Zug, Uster and Glattbrugg, Heinz Brandenberger’s team is in great demand. Since October the electrical installation team has installed Christmas illuminations in a total of 15 locations. Always with the aim of presenting the streets and squares in Christmas finery. In 2012 they will almost certainly add additional towns to their list.