According to the Department of Energy (DOE), lighting uses nearly 40% of all electricity used in commercial buildings. The standards announced today affect the more than 500 million fluorescent tube lamps and 265 million reflector lamps sold each year in the United States. About 7% of all energy consumed in the United States is for lighting.

According to DOE, the new standards announced today will save up to 1.2 trillion kilowatt-hours over thirty years, an amount about equal to the total consumption of all homes in the U.S. in one year. Businesses and consumers will gain up to $35 billion in net savings and global warming carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by up to 594 million metric tons, an amount equal to the annual emissions of nearly 110 million cars.

For the past several years the City of Milwaukee has actively tried to reduce energy use in City Hall and other city facilities. Since 2005 or so the Department of Public Works has been installing LED traffic signals throughout the City of Milwaukee. An LED (light emitting diode) traffic light provides as much or more light as a conventional bulb using a quarter of the energy, while lasting much longer. Mayor Barrett was quoted in today’s Milwaukee Journal  Sentinel that street lighting aacounts for well over 50% of the energy used by the city. According to Ann Beier, Director of Environmental Sustainability, the city has been replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescent lamps and replacing older, less efficient fluorescent lamps with smaller, more efficient bulbs.

With the change of standards it should get easier for the average consumer to make the shift to more efficient light bulbs. No more standing in the store aisle and reading labels to make sure the bulb in your hand is “energy smart”.

For Lexus of Albuquerque, solar/LED (light-emitting diode) lights are powering down electricity from the grid and saving the overhead energy costs of their overhead lighting. Using Visible Light Solar Technologies’ solar/LED system, the dealership harnesses the sun’s power and converts it for use by the LED lights. The solar energy is “collected, sized and utilized at the point of application rather than generated from a remote solar collection location,” according to Visible Light Solar Technologies.

Basically, the dealership lamps are collecting energy during the day and storing it in batteries for use later at night. The lamps remain connected to the grid for emergency needs or when a series of cloudy days uses up the solar power generated, drastically cutting back on fossil fueled energy. Chips in the lighting system monitor power generation and consumption to switch to the grid when necessary and to turn off lighting when it is not needed. In keeping with environmental progress, Lexus of Albuquerque’s existing stadium lights are reused instead of thrown out. Doing so reduces landfill waste and additional raw material generation.

Lexus of Albuquerque found that switching to solar powered lamps is 88 percent more efficient than previous lamps and last longer so that the dealership no longer has to spend upwards of $3500 on new bulbs annually, according to Tom Bohlman, Managing Partner, Lexus of Albuquerque, as quoted by the Business Journal of Albuquerque.

Conversion of the stadium lights to the solar lamps is something Lexus is considering for all of their dealerships. While it seems as though use of stadium lights overnight is a bit of overkill because not many prospective buyers are shopping for a vehicle at midnight, at least the lights are powered from a clean source. If this energy-saving policy were used by dealerships across the country, it could make a difference in reducing electricity and fossil fuel consumption, and they would prove to consumers that they are listening to their demands for conscientiousness.

A 6.9-watt and a 4.1-watt light bulb will be available for 5,460 yen and 5,250 yen, respectively. Their lighting levels will be equal to 60-watt and 40-watt regular bulbs.

The lifespan of the LED light bulbs is expected to be about 40,000 hours per unit, about 40 times longer than regular bulbs.

Although the long-life LED may seem expensive, an official from Toshiba said the LED light bulbs will greatly reduce the carbon dioxide emissions and electricity costs.

Rudy Provoost, CEO of Philips Lighting said Philips today is at the epicenter of the solid state lighting revolution by enabling people to experience light in a whole new way by providing total systems to control light, manage energy consumption, provide functional and decorative environments and to enhance safety.

The European-based company, which had its beginnings in 1891 when Dutch mechanical engineer Gerard Philips started the production of carbon-filament lamps in a former buckskin factory in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, is shifting away from a “bulb” and “fixture” heritage to an integrated lighting solutions company.

“We are managing the move from components and bulbs to solutions and applications,” says Provoost.

At Lightfair International 2009, the world’s biggest trade show for the lighting industry held in New York City recently, Philips introduced a wide range of new technologies, products and services addressing both current and new uses of light. Ranging from components, electronics and fixtures to complete solid-state lighting systems with advanced controls, these latest introductions showcase the company’s vastly expanded portfolio, the breadth of which is unique to the lighting industry.

“As the lighting industry evolves, Provoost said, we seek to create the right balance between delivering energy efficient solutions, enhancing economic prosperity, and protecting environmental health and social equity.”

LIGHTING LANDSCAPE

Philips sees three major mega trends that will affect the lighting industry in the years to come and shape the company’s future in particular and the industry in general.

According to Mr. Provoost, the first important industry shift is the shift from incandescent lamp to energy-efficient light sources.

He said the current convergence of crisis-economic and financial slowdown, climate change and continued volatility of food and energy prices are creating a greater demand for energy saving lighting. As a result, the market for innovative, efficient and sustainable lighting solutions will continue to grow.

Secondly, is the move from traditional vacuum-based technologies to solid state lighting technology.

Provoost believes solid-state or LED (light emitting diodes) lighting is the most significant development in lighting since the invention of electric light almost a century ago. Offering unprecedented freedom in terms of colors, dynamics, miniaturization, architectural integration and energy efficiency, solid-state lighting is opening up exciting new possibilities.

Thirdly is the transition is from the bulb and components as the point of value creation in the lighting industry to applications solutions.

According to Philips, lighting expertise based on end-user insight is integrated into the application, system or solution. Increasingly, these applications and solutions will include controls, and so a key differentiator in the future will be the innovative strength to create systems and solutions that are truly customer-centric.

SSL IS THE WAY TO GO

Mr. Provoost believes that LEDs will shape the future of lighting, adding that switching from older incandescent and mercury vapour lamps to LED or solid state lighting products can reduce energy consumption by 10 percent. “With additional improvements such as sensors and lighting controls, the total savings could go up to 30 per cent annually,” he said.

He explained that in high energy consumption economies such as the United States, the adoption of new lighting technologies could help save US$18 billion every year and could eliminate over 158 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

“LEDs are transforming the nature of lighting – how and where, artificial light is used to enhance the human experience,” Provoost said.

He added that despite the market for global LED lighting still is relatively small today, accounting for US$4 billion in revenue, it is expected to grow to US$30 billion in the next 15 years.

In Asia-Pacific, Provoost said cost is still the current top prohibitive factor for LED technology adoption. However, to he said that if they can are able to bring the return on investment to below two years, then perhaps the market pick up will be much more faster.

“Since cost is admittedly still the current top prohibitive factor for LED technology adoption, we are working on ways like talking to governments to make it more affordable to consumers, for example, through subsidy methods,” Provoost said.

To boost adoption of LED technology among Asia-Pacific countries, he said Philips is working closely with different governments in the region on awareness programs and helping them come out with proper legislation.

According to Provoost, LEDs demand in the region primarily will come from the business and professional markets first. “The main growth drivers will come from the business-to-business market, followed by the consumer segment,” he said.

To date Philips’ LED solutions for the business market are already available in the region while its consumer LED products are expected to be available in six to 18 months.

LEDs, Provoost said, are shaping the future of lighting, and Philips is in a good position to capitalise on that.

Over the past years, he said Philips have strengthened its LED technology portfolio through a number of acquisitions such as Color Kinetics, Lumileds and the Genlyte Group.”

To do this, Mr. Provoost said, they need to leverage advanced technologies such as SSL to enhance people’s wellbeing and improve their experience of light, wherever they might be. “At home, in the office, on the road, in the car, shopping, wherever — the power and reach of SSL gives us the ability to do both.”

However, he added that in order to be successful in providing these solutions, Philips needs to work closely together with its channel partners and lighting professionals – such as architects, lighting designers and installers, etc.

NEW PRODUCTS, SOLUTIONS

Mr. Provoost explained that Philips is bringing together the expanded portfolio of businesses within the company’s Lighting sector, to offer complete and integrated solutions to vertical market segments, ranging from outdoor applications to hospitality, entertainment, and other indoor environments.

At Lightfair’s vast trade floor show at the Javits Convention Center, Philips showcased its powerful range of lighting solutions. Highlights include:

- Energy Services: A new comprehensive lighting audit and upgrade program in conjunction with strategic partners. This program guarantees economic payback, reduced carbon footprint and increased light quality for today’s overwhelmingly inefficient buildings.

- Professional Solid-State Lighting: Highly-efficient LED luminaires for wide-ranging interior and exterior uses – leveraging the company’s expanded in-house technology, expertise and intellectual property across all system layers.

- Residential Solid-State Lighting: An advance preview of a forthcoming 600-lumen A-shape LED bulb that will effectively replace inefficient 40-watt incandescent alternatives.

- Components: The industry’s first power LED that offers specific lumens per watt efficacy, helping manufacturers develop energy-saving luminaires. The new high-performing modules have also been launched for downlight luminaires.

- Professional Lamps: Advanced, higher-efficiency conventional lamps for outdoor, commercial, retail, and industrial use, including fluorescent and ceramic metal halide technology, which easily replace existing sources to deliver industry low wattage and significant cost savings.

- Electronics: Optimized ballasts and LED drivers that provide enhanced energy efficiency and promote sustainability in integrated lighting systems, used in a range of outdoor, retail, sign, commercial and emergency applications.

In his speech, Mr. Provoost also called upon the industry to work together on the adoption of standards for energy efficiency, along with open and collaborative innovation: “We call upon the lighting industry’s stakeholders to seize the tremendous opportunity to embrace the changes being brought about by a combination of government legislation and economic stimulus to build a sustainable future.”

Provoost said the global lighting industry is in a state of great transition. “Economic and environmental concerns are driving all of us to make the move from incandescent lamps to cleaner, more energy-efficient solutions as quickly as we can.”

The Philips executive believes the solid state lighting revolution is happening at the right time. “What’s particularly exciting is that LEDs and OLEDs offer the possibility to create new lighting designs and experiences that weren’t achievable in the past. With these new concepts Philips is adding a whole new dimension to lighting and the way it can enhance people’s lives.”

GOING GREEN

Around the world, people are increasingly concerned about the effects of climate change and rising energy costs. In many countries a substantial body of “green” legislation is imminent, if not already in place – much of which has a direct impact on the future of lighting. Understanding these imperatives, Philips is addressing these challenges as a tremendous opportunity to help shape the future of lighting on a global scale.

“Lighting is no longer a mere utility,” Provoost said. “It has been shown to affect the way we live, work and feel.”

He pointed out that it’s a considerable drain on our energy resources, accounting for 22% of electricity use in America.

“In today’s economic climate, it’s imperative that we assemble the right technologies and services for our customers to create experiences, inspire new applications, and mitigate strain on energy resources.”

Philips said lighting accounts for 19% of global energy consumption, but by implementing innovative lighting solutions, this can realistically reduce the energy consumption of today’s installed base by at least 40% (and even up to 70% in offices), while also improving the quality of the light.

“We can play a significant role in encouraging and enabling the switch to energy-efficient lighting and help combat climate change,” Provoost said.