Given their directional nature, LEDs may offer advantages to traditional light sources in certain applications.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are one type of solid-state lighting that has been the focus of much efficiency industry attention over the past few years.

According to DOE forecasts, LEDs have the potential to save large amounts of electricity compared to incandescent – and even fluorescent – light sources.

While this has created excitement in many circles, LED technology has yet to prove itself – through performance or cost-effectiveness – in traditional lighting applications. Since many groups – from the energy-efficiency community and the lighting industry – are exploring the use of LEDs, CEE devoted a breakout session at the Industry Partners Meeting to solid-state lighting.

At the session, participants discussed some promising applications for the solid-state lighting as well as the hurdles that must be overcome before widespread adoption can take place.

“LEDs are inherently directional,” said Marc Ledbetter, Program Manager for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “In a lot of applications, that’s an advantage because you have less light loss.”

Applications include those where the light source isn’t too far from a work surface and where durability and longevity of the light source are benefits. Possible applications mentioned at the meeting include under-cabinet or in-cabinet lighting, elevator lighting, refrigerated display case lighting, outdoor step and pathway lighting, and task lighting.

Although these promising applications exist for solid-state lighting, there are some hurdles to the adoption of this technology in the near term. These hurdles include a lack of standardized test procedures to measure lifetime, color, efficacy, and other key performance attributes.

Other barriers include a fixture manufacturing industry with limited technical expertise about solid-state lighting and varying assumptions among efficiency program implementers about when this light source will become competitive with existing products. CEE is addressing each of these hurdles as part of its residential lighting work.

CEE is monitoring efforts by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and others to develop industry standards and test procedures for LEDs. Final procedures for the key standards and test procedures mentioned above are expected as early as May 2007.

Through its Lighting for Tomorrow design competition, CEE and organizing sponsors – the American Lighting Association and DOE (represented by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) – are educating manufacturers and designers about the early applications for LEDs and rewarding products that make the best use of the light source (see related story).

In order to exchange information about member program planning and develop common assumptions about solid-state lighting, CEE has created a monthly forum where CEE members, manufacturers and lighting experts can create a comprehensive vision for residential lighting efficiency.

“It’s important to view solid-state lighting in a larger perspective,” said CEE Senior Residential Program Manager Rebecca Foster. “We need to understand the objectives of program administrators and manufacturers, and learn more about the technical aspects LEDs if we are going to successfully transition to this new light source.”

Participants at the Industry Partners Meeting supported such a step; they agreed that a coordinated approach to the future of residential lighting efficiency is needed.

CEE will be facilitating the monthly meetings via conference call. If you are interested in participating or learning more about CEE’s work in residential lighting, contact Rebecca Foster at 617-589-3949, ext. 207.

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