The installation of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting in communal areas of social housing, such as stairwells and corridors suggests the new technology can deliver huge energy savings, reduce costs and makes residents feel safer.
The UK-based Energy Saving Trust (EST), has completed a study which measured the performance of more than 4,250 LED light fittings installed at 35 sites. The LED lights were all installed in social housing and based on the findings, EST.
At the 35 sites in the field trial, the report calculated that the LED fittings saved more than three million kilowatt hours (kWh) each year when compared with the previous lighting.
It is suggested that LEDs can last for up to 100,000 hours, compared with the 1,000 hours of traditional incandescent light-bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) 15,000 hours.
The technology is also much more energy efficient, using up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
The long lifespans and low energy use make LEDs economically attractive because even though the fittings cost more, the running and maintenance bills are lower.
The emergence of solid state lighting has been discussed in the technical media, at trade shows and in labs for almost a decade.
Many of the initial technical challenges have been solved driving LEDs efficiently, heat management in retrofit LED bulb designs and circuit strategies to ensure reliability and longevity, to name a few.
Yet the technology is only now approaching universal acceptance as a valid choice for businesses and home owners. It is predicted the technology could dominate the lighting market by 2015.
We like to test things in-situ in order to understand their real performance rather than rely on manufacturers claims, explained James Russill, ESTs technical development manager.
Opinion is that 2012 will be the year when the technology matures and the hidden revolution in lighting becomes public. The reach of LED lighting will extend beyond the specialists and early adopters and into the consumer mainstream.
James Russill said, LEDs promise to be the way forward for the whole sector, to be honest. There are so many benefits: they can be smaller, brighter; it is one of those rare technologies where the trial has shown it performs better than the lighting systems it is replacing but, at the same time, using less energy.
The China Semiconductor Lighting Technology Standards Working Group of CESI has the right to define and vote on LED lighting industry technical standards of China.
O2Micro was the only company selected for the working group this year out of the five non-Chinese applicant companies. "It's a significant milestone for O2Micro's LED lighting techniques to be officially endorsed by China's government," said Dr. Yung Lin, executive vice president of O2Micro. "Our patented free dimming(TM) and step dimming control technologies carry advantages in energy-saving and one of the best price performance ratios, compared to conventional LED lighting technology. We believe our solutions will contribute to China's LED lighting industry moving forward."
Founded in April 1995, O2Micro develops and markets innovative power management and e-commerce components for the Computer, Consumer, Industrial, and Communications markets. Products include Intelligent Lighting, Battery Management, and Power Management.
O2Micro International maintains an extensive portfolio of intellectual property with 17,633 patent claims granted, and over 18,000 more pending. The company maintains offices worldwide.
In general speaking,
12V LED has become more and more affordable, therefore
auto LED bulbs have been used widely.
