Concept
We have selected three concepts relating to
lighting in public areas: LED lighting, the compact fluorescent
lamp (CFL), and ‘presence detection’. All demonstrate how Dutch
companies can offer significant added value on the international
markets.
1. LED lighting
LED stands for Light Emitting Diode: a semi-conductor which is, in
essence, a chip containing a very thin filament. When a small
electrical charge is passed through the filament, light is
produced. Various colours, shades (known technically as light
‘temperatures’), and light intensities are possible. LEDs have been
used in household electrical equipment and cars for many years.
Their extremely small size makes them suitable for countless other
applications, including signage, roadside markings, and street
lighting. Although fittings and the LED lamps themselves have seen
great advances in recent years, there are further opportunities to
improve light output and reduce maintenance and replacement costs.
Public areas have to be well-lit in the interests of (road) safety. The Equinox street lamps developed by Philips do not have conventional light bulbs or fluorescent tubes: they rely on high-power LEDs. The Equinox is ideal for lighting pedestrian areas and parks. Aro Electronics has recently introduced its Intelligent Tunnel Lighting System, an ingenious lighting solution which provides low-maintenance road illumination for a minimum of fifteen years.
Koopman has recently introduced an intelligent lamp know as the All-Eco LED lamp. The manufacturer states that it has a working life of 50,000 hours. It is identical in appearance to a conventional light bulb, but its energy consumption is less than 1 Watt. There is no warm-up time.
2. Compact fluorescent lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), also known as ‘energy saving
lights’, continue to grow in popularity. They present a simple way
of reducing energy consumption, and hence of saving money. The
average CFL costs €7.30 to buy and has a light output of 52
lumen per Watt. The output of a conventional (incandescent)
light bulb is approximately 13 lumen per Watt. Moreover, a CFL will
last many years without having to be replaced. On average, using a
CFL will save €4.25 a year, whereupon the initial investment will
be recouped within two years. However, there is no such thing as
the ‘average’ CFL or ‘average’ usage: an inexpensive CFL could pay
for itself within three months. The international replacement
market presents major opportunities, not least due to
energy-reduction programmes and mandatory measures applying to both
industry and private consumers. Argentina, for example, is
promoting the use of CFLs and is to distribute five million CFLs
free of charge. In the second phase of the programme, a further
twenty million CFLs are to be offered to consumers at subsidized
prices.
3. Presence detectors
Presence detectors are a cost-effective solution for areas of
transient occupancy such as school classrooms, offices, toilets,
etc. Often, no one feels responsible for turning off the lights
when leaving the room, even if it is unlikely to be used by anyone
else in the near future. In schools, for example, there is often a
peak in lighting usage on a Friday afternoon when the cleaners turn
on all the lights. Presence detectors would be particularly useful
in this situation, greatly reducing energy consumption.
Unique Selling Points
LED lighting
• A LED system of appropriate quality makes it
possible to illuminate an area very efficiently; the light is
directional and cast only where it is needed.
• The lighting radius of a fitting such as a lamppost
determines how many of those fittings must be purchased, installed,
and maintained in a given area. The lighting angle of some modern
LED fittings makes it possible to achieve the same lighting effect
with 25% fewer lampposts. Clearly, if lampposts can be spaced more
widely apart, a significant saving on purchase, installation and
maintenance costs can be achieved.
• Some LED lamps (including the Philips Equinox) have an
extremely long service life of 50,000 hours, which is the
equivalent of 12.5 years assuming daily usage during the hours of
darkness. This is three or four times longer than the average
lifetime of conventional solutions.
• Philips’ Equinox lamppost has a modern, architectural
design. The uprights are extremely slender and have a square
footprint and apex. The warm colour temperature of the lamps
themselves (2,700 K to 4,000 K) creates a hospitable ambience which
encourages social interaction in the urban environment.
• Aro Electronics’ Intelligent Tunnel Lighting System is
virtually maintenance-free, ensuring little or no disruption to
traffic.
• The Intelligent Tunnel Lighting System represents a
reduction in energy consumption of between 40% and 80% compared to
conventional solutions.
CFLs
• CFLs account for significantly lower energy
consumption than the conventional incandescent bulb. A CFL produces
some five or six times more light per Watt. A 60 W bulb can
therefore be replaced by 11W CFL with little or no perceivable
difference in light output.
• A CFL has a service life of some 6,000 to 10,000 hours, far
longer than that of the conventional bulb which must be replaced
after only 1,000 to 1,500 hours.
Presence detectors
• Installation costs are relatively low; the
system relies on sensors on the light fittings themselves, whereby
there is no need to install switches or run cable connections
between the switches and the lights.
• Philips estimates that energy consumption can be cut by at
least 25%.
Climate impact
• LED lighting can reduce energy consumption by
some 30% to 80% compared to conventional solutions.
• LED lighting accounts for 40% less CO2 emission than
conventional solutions.
• An 8 Watt CFL accounts for 52 kg CO2 emissions during its
lifetime. The equivalent 40 Watt incandescent bulb accounts for 258
kg.
Companies and research institutes involved
Aro Electronics, Kaal Masten, Koopman, Lemnis
Lighting, Omron, and Phillips Lighting* (NB This list is not
comprehensive)
Best practice reference projects in the Netherlands
• Ede has become the first local authority in
the world to install LED lampposts to provide street lighting.
• A bridge on the High-Tech Campus in Eindhoven has been
fitted with LED lighting. The standard street lighting is now
‘surplus to requirements’.
• A trial project is being conducted in Apeldoorn.
Possible obstacles to international business
• For schools and office buildings, there is
as yet no LED solution available at an acceptable price-quality
ratio. Conventional fluorescent lighting continues to offer ample
light for little money.
• Lack of knowledge concerning the total cost of ownership and
payback period.