News Updates for the Week of June 10

1.      New BMW Adaptive LED Headlights - The Adaptive Headlights cast their beam in the direction of the curve and ensure better visibility and more safety during night drives on winding roads. Sensors measure speed, steering angle and yaw (degree of rotation around the vertical axis). Based on this information, small electric motors turn the headlights left or right so the beam falls on the road ahead, guiding you into the bend. Headlight beam throw control (a model-specific function) means the front headlights are raised at high speeds and lowered at slower speeds, which results in a wider beam for inner-city driving. The result: every single curve is illuminated and the oncoming traffic isn’t dazzled unnecessarily. Driving at night is even safer, particularly when visibility is poor. See the video: http://www.wimp.com/headlighttechnology/

2.      Number of the Day: $675 Million in Saved Energy Costs During 2012 Thank to LED Lights -The U.S. DOE did a study of how much electricity was saved last year thanks to the use of LED in nine kinds of applications (various kinds of indoor lights, streetlights, etc). "In 2012, about 49 million LED lamps and luminaires were installed in the nine applications. LEDs in these markets saved approximately 71 trillion British thermal units (tBtu), equivalent to an annual energy cost savings of about $675 million"!  But what's even more impressive is the potential for improvement. The DOE estimates that if the nine markets included in the estimate above were to switch to LEDs overnight, this would be the equivalent of about $37 billion in annual energy costs! http://www.treehugger.com/energy-efficiency/number-day-675-million-saved-energy-costs-during-2012-thank-led-lights.html

3.      Lighting Rebates Now Cover 74% of US - The landscape for active commercial lighting rebates and incentives continues to transform as new programs are announced and older ones run out of funding. Some notable changes that have occurred over the past few months are EnergyRight Solutions in the South East starting a wait list for funding, SureBet Nevada's program getting new money, and utilities in Pennsylvania relaunching their programs for Phase 2 of their efficiency campaigns. http://www.briteswitch.com/newsletter/Jun13-1.html

4.      More Rebate Opportunities for LEDs - Looking at all LED categories, the number of prescriptive rebates has increased 22% since January this year. The biggest increase occurred for fluorescent replacement fixtures (such as 1x4, 2x4, 2x2 fixtures) which more than tripled since January. Rebates for LED high bay fixtures have also grown by 162% and for LED replacement lamps by 33% as programs continue to embrace these new technologies. http://www.briteswitch.com/newsletter/Jun13-2.html

5.      Energy Efficiency Rebates Projected to Grow - A recent report by the Berkeley National Laboratory projects that spending on energy efficiency programs will continue to grow and will reach between $6.5 - 15.6 billion by 2025. The study looked at efficiency programs as reported by the CEE in 2010 and then created low, medium and high scenarios for future years based on the potential outcomes under the current policy environment. Most of the increase in funding is attributed to state legislative savings requirements and regulations, although some of the increase is also driven by utility DSM planning. This increase would mean a growth of 2-8% per year. In comparison, spending grew at 5% per year from 1997-2006 and 26% from 2006-2010. http://www..briteswitch.com/newsletter/Jun13-3.html

6.      DOE to Support Next Generation Efficient Lighting R&D - Building on his strong focus on energy efficiency in his first few days in office, U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced five manufacturing research and development projects to support energy efficient lighting products. The projects will focus on reducing manufacturing costs, while continuing to improve the quality and performance of LEDs and OLEDs. The Energy Department’s $10.1 million investment is matched dollar for dollar by private sector funding. DOE investments:

• Cree Inc. (Durham, N.C.; $2.3 million) 
• Eaton Corp. (Menomonee Falls, Wis.; $2.4 million)
• OLEDWorks LLC (Rochester, N.Y.; $1 million) 
• Philips Lumileds (San Jose, Calif.; $1.8 million) 
• PPG Industries Inc. (Pittsburgh, Pa.; $2.3 million)

http://www.onlinetes.com/doe-lighting-research-development-energy-manufacturing-6513.aspx

7.      OLED vs LED Lighting 2013-2023: Forecasts, Technologies, Players - OLED and LED lighting are both solid-state technologies and offer overlapping value propositions per market segment. They will therefore compete directly in many instances. LED lighting has come a long way and offers a better performance than OLEDs, and that at a lower cost. OLED lighting will therefore only gain market success if it clearly defines its unique selling points and carves out initial market niches. IDTechEx Research finds that in its “most likely” forecasts scenario, OLED lighting will become a $1.3 billion market in 2023 – equating to 1.3% of the market size of LED lighting at that time.This report is divided into two parts: (a) technology and (b) market assessment. http://www.idtechex.com/research/reports/oled-vs-led-lighting-2013-2023-forecasts-technologies-players-000339.asp

8.      Occupancy Sensors Boost Savings at Dept. of Labor Parking Garage - The U.S. DOE recently released a GATEWAY report on a parking-garage demonstration conducted at U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) headquarters in Washington, DC, which serves as a classic illustration of the savings that can result from switching to SSL-- and how the use of occupancy-sensor controls can increase those savings. Parking garages often present attractive energy-saving opportunities when safety and security demand that they be lighted 24/7, regardless of actual building use. http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/2013_gateway_dept-labor.pdf

9.      NREL Highlights 2012 Utility Green Power Leaders - The Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released its assessment of leading utility green power programs. Under these voluntary programs, residential and commercial consumers can choose to help support additional electricity production from renewable resources–such as wind and solar–that diversify our nation’s energy portfolio and protect our air and water. 6/05 http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2013/2211.html

10.  Comcast and OSRAM SYLVANIA Announce Agreement to Bring Remote Controlled Smart Light Bulbs to the Xf  - Comcast and OSRAM SYLVANIA announced the companies have entered into an agreement to offer energy efficient light bulbs that can be controlled remotely from anywhere through the Xfinity Home platform. Sylvania's new energy-saving LED smart light bulbs can be plugged into any standard light bulb socket, and can save up to 83 percent in energy costs and last up to 17.5 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs. Specifically, the SYLVANIA ULTRA iQ^TM LED BR30 flood light bulb has a life of 35,000 hours. In addition by partnering with OSRAM SYLVANIA, Comcast becomes the first service provider to offer an integrated remote controlled light bulb. Ultra iQ LED BR30 6/06 Business Wire

11.  Top 40 List of Electrical Design Firms for 2013 - The nation’s top U.S. electrical design firms weathered the storm during the economic slowdown with slim margins, fierce competition, and drastically reduced opportunities. By diversifying their services and expanding into new areas, however, the companies are now reporting a brighter outlook ahead. Overall, the companies on this year’s listing reported total electrical design revenues of $1.348 billion in 2012. http://ecmweb.com/top-40-list-electrical-design-firms-2013

12.  Lighting Equipment Shipments Continued to Improve During the First Quarter of 2013 - NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index increased in the first quarter of 2013 following a 3.4 gain in the fourth quarter of 2012, growing 5.4% on a quarter-to-quarter basis and by 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. http://ecmweb.com/lighting-amp-control/lighting-equipment-shipments-continued-improve-during-first-quarter-2013

News Updates for the Week of August 27

1.      Merger of Progress Energy and Duke Energy Created Largest U.S. Electric Utility - The July 2, 2012 merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy created the largest electric utility in the United States (measured by number of customers). Now called the Duke Energy Corporation (Duke), the new company has over 7 million retail customers spanning six states. It also owns about 67 gigawatts of generating capacity across the eastern United States. This merger follows the recent merger between Constellation and Exelon, which created the third largest utility in the United States. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=7650

 

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, based on SNL Energy.

 

2.      Romney Says He Will Introduce Energy Plan Next Week - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told a luncheon gathering of about 125 people that his No. 1 priority as president would be "to take full advantage of our energy resources." Romney assured his listeners at the high-dollar fundraiser, that he tells Ohio audiences the same thing he tells Texas audiences about the importance of energy. He also said he would be introducing a comprehensive energy plan during a visit to New Mexico next week. 8/21 Houston Chronicle

3.      What Lamps Will Be Phased Out? - Results of a recent survey of energy-efficient lighting professionals across the country in December by Hudson, Wis.-based Precision-Paragon (P2), an online source for lighting retrofit systems and information, reveals the demand for energy-efficient lighting is growing, despite the sluggishness of the recovery of the general U.S. economy and the severe downturn in the construction industry. Although most respondents disclosed they don’t expect growth to occur until after the first quarter of 2012—predicting the second and third quarters will be the most lucrative—they are confident this year will be even better than last year. More than 80% of survey respondents predict increased opportunities for growth, both in the industry as a whole and in their individual companies. http://ecmweb.com/content/what-lamps-will-be-phased-out

4.      NEMA Asks DOE to Set Motor Efficiency Standards - The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Rosslyn, Va., its members who manufacture electric motors and a coalition of other groups filed a petition August 15 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommending both new and more robust energy-efficiency standards for the types of electric motors used in commercial and industrial applications such as pumps, conveyors, and fans. The petition seeks increased standards for some motors and a significant increase in the scope of motors that will be covered by efficiency standards. http://livewire.electricalmarketing.com/

5.     Bay Bridge to Outshine ‘That Other Bridge’ - Ea rly in 2013, the public will be allowed to revel in The Bay Lights, an art installation that will turn the classically gray Bay Bridge into a spectacular display of flashing, pulsating and moving lights. Created by artist Leo Villareal, the Bay Bridge’s west span will be dressed with more than 25,000 energy-efficient, individually controlled white LED lights that will play out mesmerizing patterns without repeating. The display won’t be a one-night or even six-month event. It will last from dusk to midnight every day for two years. The $8 million project was the brainchild of Ben Davis, the founder of San Francisco’s Words Pictures Ideas creative agency that branded the Bay Bridge east span. http://sfbay.ca/2012/08/19/bay-bridge-to-outshine-that-other-bridge/

6.      City Converts Streetlights to Energy-Saving LEDs - Going block by block, crews in bucket trucks are converting 70,000 city streetlights from sodium vapor lights to long-lasting, energy-saving LEDs. The bright side: Baltimore expects to reap an annual savings of $1.9 million on its electric bill and $275,000 in maintenance costs. Also, advocates say the lights produce less glare and are more focused, meaning less light pollution that drowns out the night stars and can disrupt ecosystems. The dimmer side: Critics say the new lights don't illuminate the area as well. The first phase of the three-year project is about 80 percent completed, with 8,000 new lights in place. Switching the 10,000 city-owned streetlights was the first step. Next up are the lights owned by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. 8/17 The Baltimore Sun

7.      Connecticut Debuts New Energy Program - State officials have announced the launch of a new program to make sure state buildings use less power, at the same time a Connecticut-wide program to promote residential energy enters its second year. Connecticut's energy savings program for government buildings allows state agencies and municipalities to enter into performance contracting agreements with energy service companies. The program will allow state and local government buildings to get energy-efficiency upgrades with no money paid up front. The cost of the upgrades are paid for through the energy savings that the service companies guarantee to their government clients. 8/10 New Haven Register

 

8.      NORPAC, BPA, and Cowlitz PUD Partner on Largest Ever Northwest Energy Efficiency Project - The project is referred to as a "Chip Pre-Treatment Interstage Screen Project."  Executives from Weyerhaeuser, Nippon Paper Industries, Cowlitz County Public Utility District, and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) will gather today at the North Pacific Paper Corporation (NORPAC) facility to celebrate the largest industrial energy efficiency project in BPA history and one of the largest energy efficiency projects in the United States to date. When complete, the project is expected to save 100,000,000 kilowatt-hours per year. The first phase of the project was completed in June 2011 and the second and final phase is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013. BPA will fund about $21 million and Cowlitz County PUD will contribute up to an additional $3.9 million towards the project. The money contributed by both BPA and Cowlitz comes from their respective conservation funds, which provide financial incentives to their customers for the development and installation of electrical energy savings projects. NORPAC is funding the remaining $35 million of the $60 million project. 8/09 PRNewswire

 

9.      LIGHTFAIR International 2013 Call for Speakers Deadline: September 7 - Submit to speak at the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference OR suggest a speaker or topic that you’d like to see at LIGHTFAIR International (LFI^®). There are 16 tracks to choose from OR you can select OFF TRACK to submit your own idea. http://www.lightfair.com/convdata/lightfair/brochures/lfi2013-cfs-brochure.pdf

10.  Philips and Daintree Take Lighting to the Next Level with Open Standards-based Wireless Lighting Controls - Daintree Networks, Inc. and Philips recently announced an agreement to develop advanced lighting controls products for commercial buildings through the use of open standards such as ZigBee, helping customers to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure that their lighting systems are interoperable today and well into the future. Building owners and managers will have access to a full complement of ZigBee-based products. http://lightingcontrolsassociation.org/

11.  City Project Helps Cut Energy Costs - From small laundromats and gas stations to residential complexes, Milwaukee Energy Efficiency is signing on city businesses looking to save on the bottom line. The program has 27 projects funded across the city, such as helping gas stations switch to energy-saving LED lights for their canopies. The program, known as ME2, has attracted strong interest for projects that deploy LED technology because the paybacks on the investment is so quick. A maximum of $300,000 is available for a large project that would generate energy savings of at least 25%. 8/15 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

12.  The Search for Energy Takes a Turn Underwater - The fearsome tides that sweep out from the easternmost shores of the United States have for more than 80 years teased engineers and presidents like FDR, who have dreamed of harnessing their force to make electricity. And next week, a device that looks a bit like an eggbeater turned sideways will be lowered into the water here to catch the energy of the rushing water, spinning a generator that, come September, is scheduled to begin sending power to the grid. The first turbine generator unit has a maximum output of 180 kilowatts, which would power about 30 homes. That is one-sixth the output of a typical wind turbine. Workmen lower a turbine to be placed in waters off Eastport, Me.

 

13.  One World Trade Center Under Construction - Virtually every inch of the 16-acre site is under construction, and every day brings new changes to the site, whether it’s the first steel columns for One WTC being raised or the concrete footings being poured for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. http://www.panynj.gov/wtcprogress/progress.html

14.  UL Expands Capacity with New Lab - Underwriters Laboratories (UL), has opened a new 38,000 square-foot laboratory located in Allentown, PA. The Photometric Testing & Technology Center will be a testing and certification hub for all of North America. The lab conducts testing of lighting products to various global energy efficiency programs such as ENERGY STAR, DesignLights Consortium, Lighting Facts, Zhaga, California Energy Commission, CAP (MSHA) and National Resources Canada. The Allentown facility is also globally recognized as one of the first Zhaga-approved testing laboratories and offers testing to various IES standards, including LM-79. http://www.lightnowblog.com/

News Updates for the Week of June 25

1. Solid-State Lighting Basics - Solid-state lighting (SSL) technology has the potential to reduce U.S. lighting energy usage by nearly one half and contribute significantly to our nation's climate change solutions. The U.S. Department of Energy acts as a catalyst to drive R&D breakthroughs in efficiency and performance, and to equip buyers to successfully apply SSL lighting.

• Why SSL
• LED Basics
• Using LEDs
• R&D Challenges
• Market Challenges
• Standards

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ssl/index.html

      2. Success with Solid-State Lighting - The LED Lighting Facts^® is a program of the U.S. Department of Energy that showcases LED products for general illumination from manufacturers who commit to testing products and reporting performance results according to industry standards. For lighting buyers, designers, and energy efficiency programs, the LED Lighting Facts label provides information essential to evaluating products and identifying the best options. http://www.lightingfacts.com/

      3. Understanding the Full Potential of LEDs and Lighting Controls by Dave Ranieri - LEDs are unique in many ways, but perhaps the most intriguing aspect of their distinctiveness is their affinity to be controlled. Conventional light sources do not like to be controlled and actually demonstrate diminished performance, such as reduced efficacy and life expectancy, as controls are introduced. LEDs, on the other hand, are a different breed. In fact, the more they are controlled, the longer they last and the more efficiently they operate. Because all of the components (LED light engines and controls) are now digital, solid-state, intelligent devices, they work together seamlessly, delivering a level of performance and simplicity that is unprecedented with lighting systems. http://ecmweb.com/lighting-amp-control/talk-leds

      4.  LED City Street Lighting Trial Shows Up to 85 Percent Energy Savings - The findings of LightSavers, an independent two-and-a-half-year global pilot of LED lamps in 15 trials across 12 cities including New York, London and Kolkata, are presented for the first time in a new report entitled, Lighting the Clean Revolution: The Rise of LED Street Lighting and What it Means for Cities. http://thecleanrevolution.org/publications/lighting-the-clean-revolution-the-rise-of-leds-and-what-it-means-for-cities

     

      5. SSL Manufacturing R&D Workshop Presentations Posted - DOE Solid-State Lighting Manufacturing R&D Workshop was held June 13–14 in San Jose, California. The workshop presentations have been posted on the DOE SSL website at: www.ssl.energy.gov/sanjose2012_materials.html

6.      PSE&G Lauded for Innovative Energy Efficiency Program for Hospitals - PSE&G, New Jersey's largest utility, was named an NJBIZ "Healthcare Hero" in recognition of its innovative energy efficiency program for hospitals.  PSE&G won in the innovation category for its $129 million hospital energy efficiency initiative, one of only four programs in the U.S. that specifically targets hospitals for energy efficiency improvements and the only one in which the utility bears all of the upfront capital costs.  PSE&G provides up-front funding for this work, and the hospital repays a portion of the total cost at zero percent interest over 36 months. www.pseg.com/getnews 1/20 PRNewswire

7.      Coalition Aims to Cut Business Energy Costs - Potomac Edison, MD held a "Spring Into Savings" energy workshop.  Potomac Edison and SAIC, along with various contractors, are offering programs from audits to lighting solutions, tax incentives, HVAC and upgrades in mechanical systems to save energy and money for area businesses.  All the programs must be approved prior to purchase of any equipment and installation. Depending on the specific savings and programs the customer participates in, they will receive a check for the kilowatt-hours of energy saved for a year. After that, they will benefit from the energy savings and, in some cases, from the longer life of lighting and other equipment. For details of the program, visit www.energysaveMD.com   

8.      MaxLite Creates Lighting and Technology University - To help utilities, distributors, specifiers, customers and other industry professionals better understand the latest developments in the lighting industry, MaxLite has created the MaxLite Lighting and Technology University. MLTU will develop and deliver seminars, webinars, video conferences and other presentations on the latest LED lighting technologies. http://university.maxlite.com/