News Updates for the Week of December 24, 2012

1.     The Top Ten LED Lighting Developments of 2012 -

1st)          The phaseout of the 100-watt incandescent nominally began on New Year’s Day 

2nd)        The 50th anniversary of the invention of the modern LED by Nick Holonyak at General Electric was observed in October. 

3rd)         Osram announces major progress on silicon substrates in January.  

4th)         Soraa unstealths in February, revealing a gallium nitride (GaN) substrate LED. 

5th)         NXP and Greenwave partner to release the first IPv6-controllable light bulb in October, using the 6LoWPAN standard, a milestone in networked smart lighting.

            6th)         Cree releases the most efficient production LED yet, the XM-L2, at 186 lumens per watt.

            7th)         3M announces the Advanced Light Bulb to be sold by Walmart.

            8th)         Home interiors chain Ikea announces that it will phase out all non-LED lighting products and store lighting by 2016.

9th)         China turns to U.S. suppliers in an official backlash against domestic LED streetlight quality problems. China momentarily claims four of the world’s five largest LED streetlight

installations. 

10th)      The Osram non-IPO…Siemens revised its IPO of Osram into a share conversion and then delayed it repeatedly as the Eurozone struggled.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/The-Top-Ten-LED-Lighting-Developments-of-2012

2.     President Obama Signs Energy Efficiency Bill into Law - President Obama signed into law a handful of energy efficiency provisions endorsed by the NEMA.  The American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (HR 6582) is the legislative vehicle for provisions promoting advanced metering in the federal government; a greater focus at the DOE on deployment of existing manufacturing technologies; improved energy efficiency within federal facilities; and a study on barriers to industrial deployment of electric motors, demand response, combined heat and power technologies and ensures certain technical corrections to lighting efficiency.  http://www.nema.org/News/Pages/-President-Obama-Signs-Energy-Efficiency-Bill-into-Law.aspx

3.     LED Directional Lamps - Directional lamps are a key component of focal lighting and are most often used in retail, hospitality, residential, and museum applications. Conventional directional lamps are practical and relatively inexpensive, but higher efficacy LED alternatives have emerged. This DOE fact sheet discusses the attributes of conventional PAR-, AR-, BR-, and R-shaped lamps and compares the performance of LED products to that of incandescent, halogen, CFL, and CMH lamps. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/led_directional_lamps.pdf

4.     PNNL Takes Shades Off LED Lighting Lab - The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory unveiled its LED lighting lab to the public, a one-of-a-kind lab that puts highly efficient lights through their paces in a controlled setting.  The Lumen Maintenance Facility in Richland, Wash., is the site where light bulbs were tested to determine the Department of Energy's L Prize which last year dubbed a 60-watt LED bulb from Phillips as the industry's best performing option. The lab, a haven for lighting geeks, keeps bulbs lit for 24 hours a day for months on end keeping them at a steady 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers also perform stress tests and evaluate the quality of the light being emitted. http://www.sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2012/12/pnnl-takes-shades-off-led-lighting-lab.html

5.     DOE Releases CALiPER 2012 Year in Review - The U.S. Department of Energy has released a CALiPER 2012 Year in Review report that summarizes recent testing results and provides an overview of multi-year trends. The report is available for download on the DOE SSL website at www.ssl.energy.gov/reports.html

6.     ENERGY STAR Luminaires Specification Version 1.2 – Posted is the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement as it pertains to the manufacture and labeling of ENERGY STAR qualified products. The ENERGY STAR Partner must adhere with current ENERGY STAR Eligibility Criteria, which define performance requirements and test procedures for luminaires. A list of eligible products and their corresponding Eligibility Criteria can be found at www.energystar.gov/specifications   Prior to associating the ENERGY STAR name or mark with any product, you must obtain written certification of ENERGY STAR qualification from a Certification Body recognized by EPA for luminaires and tested in a laboratory recognized by EPA to perform luminaire testing.  A list of EPA-recognized laboratories and Certification Bodies:  www.energystar.gov/testingandverification http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/product_specs/program_reqs/Final_Luminaires_V1_2.pdf?e3b5-7355

News Updates for the Week of December 17

1.      Energy Efficiency Provisions Approved in Both Chambers of Congress - The Senate passed important provisions from the bipartisan Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.1000) introduced by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to help the country save money by using less energy. The provisions, which focus on industrial and federal agency efficiency, passed as part of the American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act (H.R. 6582). After passing with unanimous support in the Senate, the legislation will now head to the President for his signature. http://politicalnews.me/?id=19475&keys=ENERGY-COMPETITIVENESS-INDUSTRIAL-ACT

2.      Next Generation Streetlights Initiative - Local governments can save millions of dollars, reduce emissions and create jobs by moving to advanced lighting technology. The CA Bay Area Next Generation Streetlight Initiative provides leading-edge education, resources and guidance to local governments to accelerate the move to solid-state lighting (LED). The overarching goal is to catalyse the conversion of 200,000 streetlights in the Bay Area and deliver $50 million in cost savings and 100,000 metric tons of CO2 avoidance over 5 years. http://baclimate.org/impact/next-generation-streetlight-initiative.html

3.      New Lighting Technology Won't Flicker, Shatter or Burn Out - The lighting, based on field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology, also gives off soft, white light – not the yellowish glint from fluorescents or bluish tinge from LEDs. The Wake Forest University team uses a nano-engineered polymer matrix to convert the charge into light. This allows the researchers to create an entirely new light bulb – overcoming one of the major barriers in using plastic lights in commercial buildings and homes. The research supporting the technology is described in a study appearing online in advance of publication in the peer-reviewed journal Organic Electronics. Wake Forest is working with a company to manufacture the technology and plans to have it ready for consumers as early as next year. http://phys.org/news/2012-12-goodbye-fluorescent-bulbs-technology-wont.html

      4.      Highest-Performing, Commercially Available, Single-Die LED - Delivering breakthrough lumen output and efficacy in the XM package is the Cree XLamp XM-L2 LED. Built on the SC³ Technology Platform, it delivers up to 186 lumens-per-watt at 350 mA, 25°C, up to 20% more lumens and double the lumens-per-dollar of the original XM-L. http://www.cree.com/led-components-and-modules/products/xlamp/discrete-directional/xlamp-xml2

5.     NEMA's Lighting Systems Index falls 3.3% in 3Q - NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index declined in the third quarter of 2012 after a positive performance in the first half of 2012, falling 3.3% on a quarter-to-quarter basis. On a year-over-year basis the index decreased by 1.1%. Lighting equipment demand has struggled to gain traction since the recovery began and remains well below the levels observed during the previous economic expansion. Of the five categories of lighting systems products included in the index, only miniature lamps and fixtures registered solid gains in sales value compared to the third quarter of 2011, according to NEMA. http://www.nema.org/news/Pages/Lighting-Equipment-Demand-Dwindled-during-the-Third-Quarter-of-2012.aspx

6.      Indoor Luminaire Competition Launches - The 2013 Next Generation Luminaires Solid-State Lighting Indoor Design Competition has officially launched! Written Intents to Submit are due by January 18, 2013, and must be submitted online at www.ngldc.org. Physical product entries are due by February 8, 2013. Judging takes place in late February 2013, and results will be announced at LEDucation 7 in New York, NY, on March 20, 2013.

 

7.      HID Lamp Shipment Indexes Continue to Decline - NEMA’s indexes for high intensity discharge (HID) lamp shipments declined for the second consecutive quarter in Q3 2012. Sodium vapor lamp shipments decreased 14.8% year-over-year during the quarter, following a loss of 6.8% during the previous three month period. Shipments of metal halide lamps fell 6.9% and 4.9%, respectively, in Q3 and Q2. Mercury vapor lamps contracted significantly, retreating by 23% to reach a new low for the index. Combined HID lamp shipments through Q3 2012 declined nearly 5% versus last year. http://ecmweb.com/lighting-amp-control/hid-lamp-shipment-indexes-continue-decline

8.      NYC, DC, LA, Houston: Lighting Up the Holidays with LED Christmas Trees - Cities across the United States are lighting their Christmas Trees with LED, and this season they are more energy-efficient than ever. http://ase.org/efficiencynews/nyc-dc-la-houston-lighting-holidays-led-christmas-trees

9.     New York’s Small Businesses Eligible for Low-Cost Financing for Energy-Efficiency Upgrades -The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said Thursday that small business owners and nonprofits that make energy-efficiency upgrades can receive up to $50,000 in low-interest financing.The money will be repayable on the company’s monthly utility bills.Small businesses with 100 employees or fewer and nonprofits that own their building are eligible to apply for the financing. The interest rate for the loan is currently 2.5 percent. http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Newsroom/2012-Announcements/2012-12-13-Financing-for-Business-Not-for-Profit-Energy-Efficiency-Upgrades.aspx

10.  Connecticut Spending More on Energy Efficiency - Connecticut spent nearly $338 million between 2009 and 2011 on energy-efficiency projects and expects to spend more than twice that, $775.5 million, between 2015 and 2021. But Connecticut's increase in spending on energy efficiency will be dwarfed by the growth for the whole region, according to officials with ISO-New England. The region spent $1.2 billion on energy efficiency between 2008 and 2011 and expects to spend nearly five times that about $5.7 billion, between 2015 and 2021. The energy-efficiency measures the six New England states are taking will prevent any annual growth in energy consumption between now and 2021. 12/13 New Haven Register

 

11.  Louisiana Public Service Commission Approves Statewide Energy-Efficiency Program - Louisiana utility regulators have taken the first step toward implementing a statewide energy-efficiency program to develop ways to cut down on power consumption and help save money for hundreds of thousands of homeowners and businesses. Louisiana utilities, including Entergy Louisiana and Pineville-based Cleco Power, will have 10 months to let the state know its plans, along with estimates of potential savings and benefits to customers. The programs are slated to begin 4 months later. http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2012/12/louisiana_public_service_commi_3.html

12.  2013 DOE Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop - January 29–31, 2013, Hilton Long Beach,
Long Beach, California.  As solid-state lighting technology matures, the remaining questions get more complex. Where does future R&D need to be directed to drive significant leaps in LED and OLED performance? How can government and industry work together to find solutions, accelerate advances, and hasten market adoption? Join DOE at the 10th annual SSL R&D workshop to find out. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/longbeach13.html

13.  PNM Carrying the Light Bulb for Energy Efficiency - In just over five years, the PNM discounted CFLs have accomplished huge amounts in saving electricity and money for customers. PNM has reached an energy efficiency milestone of five million CFL bulbs, saving $33.7 million for PNM customers and enough electricity to power 42,000 New Mexico homes for a year. PNM wants to continue this trend so they have partnered with nearly 160 stores statewide to give customers a discount when they purchase any CFL bulbs. PNM is New Mexico's largest electricity provider, is based in Albuquerque and serves about 498,700 electricity customers statewide. www.pnm.com

14.  Southern California Edison Delivers Energy Management and Reporting Capabilities to Customer - ADT and Southern California Edison are providing SCE customers with energy management and reporting capabilities through ADT Pulse, an interactive home management platform that allows customers to arm and disarm their security systems, control thermostats, turn on and off small appliances and lights, access real-time video, and lock and unlock doors. It can show home energy consumption, historical energy usage information, daily energy bill estimates and energy savings alerts. http://www.sce.com/info/smartconnect/default.htm?from=redirect

15.  CA Quality LED Lamp Specification - The California Energy Commission has adopted a voluntary lighting quality specification for LED replacement lamps. The new standard requires LED lamps to meet certain performance criteria in order to qualify for incentive programs and rebates. These criteria include the color of a lamp’s light, its consistency over time, and its accuracy in rendering colors. The specification for incentivized LED lamps also includes requirements regarding dimming and flickering.  The specification was developed in collaboration with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC will direct California’s investor-owned utilities to ensure their 2013–2014 energy efficiency portfolios only provide rebates for screw-based LEDs products that meet the quality specification developed by the California Energy Commission. http://cltc.ucdavis.edu/content/view/1263/488/

 

16.  BluePath Launches Energy Efficiency Finance Company - BluePath Finance LLC announced today the launch of their platform to provide upfront funding for the installation of energy efficient technologies. BluePath works side-by-side with energy services companies, OEMs, installers and distributors to offer their customers turn-key financing. Most solutions are designed so end-users can pay for new installations from reduced utility bills and immediately realize monthly cash flow savings. Ideal candidates include commercial and industrial companies, agri-business, hospitals, and public entities such as universities and schools. Typically, projects with $100,000 to $5 million in upfront costs are funded. BluePath has particular interest in financing lighting and lighting controls, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and building controls, industrial motors and systems, boilers, furnaces, refrigeration systems, and pumping systems. The company has capacity to fund up to $150 million in retrofit projects. http://www.bluepathfinance.com/

 

17.  Consumer Preference Survey on Directional LED Replacement Lamps for Retail Applications -Retail stores are among the biggest lighting energy users in the United States. To help improve efficiency in this sector, CLTC partnered with PG&E and the California Energy Commission to survey retailers on factors that influence their lighting purchases. The results of that survey, and their implications for future LED incentive programs, are now available on the CLTC website. http://cltc.ucdavis.edu/images/documents/publications_reports/2012_ET11PGE2201_LED_Showcase_Report.pdf

18.  Sequestration Could Reduce Federal Building Investments - The design and construction industry, still reeling from the real estate crash, could face another $2 billion in lost work if Congress and the White House fail to reach agreement on a federal budget in time to avoid massive mandatory federal spending cuts on January 2, an American Institute of Architects (AIA) analysis warns. In order to provide a better understanding of the impact of sequestration on building programs, the AIA identified 48 separate budget accounts for which the OMB report identifies spending reductions pursuant to sequestration in January 2013 that directly fund the design, construction and rehabilitation of buildings and other vertical infrastructure. http://www.lightnowblog.com Read the full report at http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab096226.pdf