Surprise, surprise, everyone’s talking about energy efficient lighting. We’re no exception in this blog post. But here’s a twist: not everything we’ve heard recently is as bright and pretty as a brand new LED. This lighting roundup is a mixed bag…
In lighting news…
New energy efficient lighting has the potential to supercharge the job market in Michigan. Jay Wrobel, Executive Director of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance explained, “Michigan is on the cusp of becoming a manufacturing leader in one of the advanced technologies of the 21st century. New energy efficient lighting technologies provide an ideal platform for new jobs and energy savings in Michigan.” As the demand for LEDs increases, so will the supply of jobs. You can learn more MWAlliance.org.
Meanwhile, though the 2012 Summer Olympics have ended, London is only beginning to reap the benefits of their new LED lighting installations. The new lights on the Tower Bridge (more than 2km of GE Lighting’s Tetra Contour architectural LED lighting installed just in time for the games) are expected to last the city at least 25 years, while saving 40% of the bridge’s previous energy consumption.
While energy efficient lighting seems to always be on our minds and in our light fixtures, there are times when we must realize it’s still a developing technology. The PLUS (Public Lighting Strategies for Sustainable Urban Spaces) project conducted a recent study on LEDs as a possible solution for the problem of finding energy efficient public lighting. The study determined that LED lights are one of the most energy efficient options, but they might not be the best answer for all cities at the moment. LEDs certainly offer a new set of innovative possibilities, but today they’re not the final answer. Many cities are better off waiting until the cost of LEDs goes down, or until the rapidly improving technology reaches a relative stasis.
In lighting tips…
Researchers from the State University of New York at Stony Brook determined that damaged or malfunctioning CFLs can emit skin-damaging UV rays. All CFLs produce UV rays, in normally functioning lamps these are absorbed by a layer of phosphors, on the inside of the bulb. However, the phosphor coating can crack during the manufacturing process, when the lamp is twisted into a spiral. Fortunately, there are no known cases of CFL sunburns to date. It’s easy to steer clear of the UV rays – just avoid direct exposure to the light bulb, and stay a few feet away (which we’re betting you do already).
Other cool stuff…
Have you heard about Water Light Graffiti by Antonin Fourneau? It’s an artistic lighting installation made of thousands of LEDs. When the wall comes into contact with water, paintbrushes, and even hands it magically lights up! Check out this video of light in action in Poitiers, France:
Thanks for including the item about PLUS, which cuts though the hype and points out that LED is not a panacea.
FYI: NEMA has issued a statement on the CFLs-pose-a-UV-hazard controversy. Basically, fluorescent light has been around since the forties and is safe when used normally. Here’s a link: NEMA Statement on UV Risk of CFLs