The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released a new report that
analyzes the potential energy savings of broadly deployed solid-state
lighting (SSL) sources – predominantly LED- and OLED-based products.
The DOE projects that between 2010 and 2030, SSL could save 1,488
terawatt-hours representing a savings of $120 billion at today's energy
prices.
The DOE has taken an active role in supporting and funding SSL
lighting both to achieve energy savings and to position the US as a
global leader in SSL technology. This latest report updates previous
projections the DOE made in SSL lighting over the last decade.
The multi-faceted reports begins with an examination of lighting
inventory and lumen demand. It continues with a look at the installed
base and the technology improvements in conventional light sources.
The LED-centric content examines the improvements and cost savings
expected in SSL over two decades. For instance, the report projects
efficacy improvements. In high CRI (76-90) SSL lights, the DOE expects
efficacy to go from 64.3 lm/W today to 147.3 lm/W in 2020 and to 176.3
lm/W in 2030.
From a cost perspective, the DOE projects SSL to go from $169.49 per
klm today to $5.03 per klm 2030 for high CRI products. The report
makes projections for other CRI ranges and for OLED lighting as well.
The latter portion of the report focuses on projected market
penetration and energy savings calculations. The analysis attempts to
take a balanced view on the gradual replacement of technologies such as
fluorescent with SSL alternatives.
The conclusion as stated up front is certainly impressive. The DOE
expects SSL to completely displace all other technologies in
commercial, residential, industrial and outdoor segments 2030. The
projected savings, however, come primarily from the replacement of
fluorescent and halogen lamps in the commercial sector.
The DOE report claims SSL can reduce greenhouse gas emissions 246 million metric tons of carbon over two decades. The full report is available on the DOE SSL web site.
Article courtesy of LEDs Magazine |
