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DOE's Technical Information on Solid State Lighting

The following information from the Department of Energy may be useful to efficiency program administrators as they become familiar with SSL technology.

Recent Updates and Announcements

11/20/08 DOE Releases Benchmark Reports

DOE Has released two benchmark reports to allow easier comparison of SSL products with conventional lighting technologies. The reports detailed analysis of test results for both traditional and LED products for a given application, comparing a range of standard lighting measures (e.g., power usage, light output and distribution, efficacy, correlated color temperature, color rendering index). The reports cover the performance of Incandescent A-Type and Decorative Lamps and LED Replacements and the performance of Halogen Incandescent MR16 Lamps and LED Replacements. They are available on the DOE web site.

11/14/08 Parking Lot GATEWAY Demonstration Report

DOE has published the report from the Providence Portland Medical Center (PPMC) demonstration of LED luminaires for commercial parking garage applications. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides an overview of project results including lighting performance, quality, energy savings, payback analysis, and user feedback. The complete report on this demonstration project is available on the DOE web site.

11/7/08 Residential LED GATEWAY Demonstration Report

DOE has published the report from the Eugene, Oregon “2008 Tour of Homes” demonstration of LED residential downlights and undercabinet lights. This GATEWAY demonstration report, prepared by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides an overview of project results including significant energy savings, improved illuminance uniformity, and positive user feedback.The complete Eugene demonstration report is available at the DOE web site

10/24/08 DOE Announces Webinar on LM-80

On September 30, 2008, the last remaining critical test procedure for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR Solid-State Lighting Program was finalized by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), LM-80-08 Approved Method for Measuring Lumen Maintenance of LED Light Sources.

The finalization of this test procedure has resulted in a number of questions by partners interested in how the test procedure will be used for ENERGY STAR qualification. As a result of these questions, DOE is hosting a webinar on October 30, 2008 from 2 – 3pm EST to review the LM-80 test procedure and how it will be used in the ENERGY STAR qualification process for SSL products. Presenters Jeff McCullough (Pacific Northwest National Labs) and Kevin Dowling (Philips SSL Solutions) will answer the following questions:
•        What does LM-80 measure?
•        How is the LM-80 test conducted?
•        How long does the test take?
•        What are the results and how are they used by ENERGY STAR?

Registration is limited; please register ASAP to receive information on the Webinar.

10/03/08 DOE Report Estimates LED Savings in Niche Markets

DOE has released analysis findings for niche markets where light emitting diodes (LEDs) compete with or are poised to compete with traditional lighting sources (e.g., incandescent and fluorescent). The September 2008 report provides estimates of current energy savings plus potential savings if these markets switched to LEDs overnight.

Twelve niche markets were analyzed, comprising four colored-light applications (traffic signals and pedestrian crossings, decorative holiday lights, exit signs, electric signage); six indoor white-light applications (recessed downlights, refrigerated display cases, retail displays, task lights, office undershelf lights, kitchen undercabinet lights); and two outdoor white-light applications (street and area lights and step, path, and porch lights).

LEDs in these markets are already saving consumers nearly $1 billion in electricity costs. If these markets switched to LEDs overnight, energy savings would be the equivalent of taking 18 million residential households off the grid and could save consumers more than $22 billion in electricity costs. To download a PDF of the report, go to www.netl.doe.gov/ssl.

10/01/08 Results from Round 6 of SSL Product Testing are Available

DOE has completed Round 6 of product testing through the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER program. A Summary Report containing the results from Round 6 testing is now available for download on the DOE SSL website.

09/29/08 DOE Launches Quality Advocates Web Page

DOE has added information on their voluntary Quality Advocates labeling program to their web site. This effort is jointly developed by DOE and the Next Generation Lighting Industry Alliance (NGLIA) and defines a method for manufacturers to report product performance, which should lead to greater consistency in industry reporting of SSL performance through reference to standards.

09/02/08 DOE Holds a Web-Cast on the L-Prize

DOE will host a 90-minute live webcast will provide an overview of the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize™), a new technology competition established by Congress in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The L Prize calls for super-efficient SSL products to replace two of the most common light bulbs used today: the 60-watt incandescent and the PAR-38 halogen reflector. To register, please visit the DOE web site.

06/11/08 DOE Releases Results from Round 5 of SSL Product Testing

DOE has completed Round 5 of product testing through the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) CALiPER program. A Summary Report containing the results from Round 5 testing is now available for download on the DOE SSL website. The Department allows detailed test results from CALiPER testing to be distributed in the public interest for noncommercial, educational purposes only. Round 5 detailed test reports covering downlights, linear replacement lamps, A-Lamp and MR16 replacement lamps, desk/task lamps, undercabinet lighting, and outdoor lighting are now available. To streamline the request process for detailed test reports, DOE now provides the reports directly through a searchable on-line system.

05/30/08 DOE Announces 'Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize' Competition

DOE announced details on the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize competition at Lightfair International in Las Vegas, Nevada. The L Prize™ is the first government-sponsored technology competition designed to spur lighting manufacturers to develop high quality, high efficiency solid-state lighting products to replace the common light bulb. The L Prize program announcement calls for development of replacement technologies for two of today's most widely used and inefficient products, 60W incandescent lamps and PAR 38 halogen lamps. A future L Prize program announcement will call for development of a new “21st Century Lamp.” The competition will award significant cash prizes, plus opportunities for federal purchasing agreements, utility programs, and other incentives for winning products.

05/19/08 Webcast on ENERGY STAR for SSL on June 26

DOE is hosting a 90-minute webcast on June 26 on the ENERGY STAR criteria for solid-state luminaries. The criteria were issued in September 2007, and will become effective September 30, 2008. They cover both residential and commercial solid-state lighting products. Presenters will discuss the underlying strategy and details of near term and future applications, and provide an overview of the product qualification process, testing requirements, quality assurance, and tools and resources for manufacturers and program sponsors. To learn more, or to register for the June 26 webcast, visit the DOE web site.

5/13/08 DOE Establishing CALiPER Advisory Committee

DOE recently announced that it will create an advisory committee for its SSL commercial product testing program (CALiPER), which was established in 2006 to provide objective SSL product performance information to the public. The committee will be made up of energy efficiency program sponsors and will provide ideas on improving the value of CALiPER to the public and to programs, ranging from which products are tested, to how they are tested, to how the tests are analyzed and characterized. DOE is not soliciting financial contributions to the program, only feedback to guide CALiPER program planning and growth. If you are interested in learning more, contact Anne Manning at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

4/28/08 DOE Releases Report from Lighting Designer Roundtable

DOE has issued the report from the Lighting Designer Roundtable on SSL, which was held in Chicago on March 19. The Roundtable was hosted by DOE, the International Association of Lighting Designers, and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. Sixteen lighting designers, along with DOE representatives, attended the one-day meeting to examine SSL market and technology issues and to encourage an exchange of the designers' experiences, ideas, and recommendations regarding SSL and the SSL industry.  The Lighting Designer Roundtable report is available for download on the DOE website.

4/11/08 DOE Announces a SSL Stakeholder Meeting

DOE will be holding a workshop in Washington, DC on May 15th to discuss the ENERGY STAR Solid State Lighting Program. The workshop will be an opportunity to learn about the process for qualifying products and how DOE plans to evolve the program in the future. To register for the meeting send an e-mail with your name and company to ssl@energystar.gov before Friday, May 2nd.

4/9/08 DOE Announces Voices for SSL Efficiency Conference

On July 9-11 in Portland, Oregon, DOE will host a dialogue on how government, efficiency programs, utilities, industry, the design community, and others are working together to shape markets for SSL products, to maximize market acceptance and national energy savings.

Details on the workshop location and registration will be available soon on the DOE SSL website.

4/1/2008 LED Walkway Lighting Report Released

The report provides an overview of project results, which include energy savings of more than 25% over existing lighting, improved illuminance uniformity, and positive user feedback. The study also found that energy savings could be cost-effectively increased to 50% through a slight reduction in the existing lighting levels, while still easily meeting IESNA minimum recommended illumination levels for walkways.

Other Resources

Technical Information Network

From time to time, DOE hosts events on SSL to help educate energy efficiency program administrators and other stakeholders. A list of these events is available online, alongside a description of DOE's outreach activity.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/technetwork.htm

Using LEDs for General Illumination

This web site provides a primer for efficiency programs and others to understand how LEDs may be used for general illumination purposes. It contains information on energy efficiency and lighting quality, describing how LEDs work, how their performance is measured, and their energy efficiency potential.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/usingLeds/index.htm

Commercial Product Testing Program

DOE has tested several products that are currently on the market with the intention of providing reliable, unbiased product performance information that will foster the developing market for high-performance SSL products. Test reports and other information related to this testing program are available online.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/comm_testing.htm

Fact Sheets

DOE has created a series of Fact Sheets about SSL technology, covering topics such as energy efficiency, color quality, and thermal management. Fact Sheets regarding the use of SSL in specific lighting applications like task lighting, recessed downlights, and under-cabinet lighting are also available.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/publications/publications-factsheets.htm