Life Cycle Analysis of Lighting Technologies

OSRAM Opto Semiconductor has completed a detailed life cycle analysis of traditional incandescent bulbs, CFLs, and LEDs.

Although it's been recognized for quite a while that incandescent bulbs are far inferior to CFLs and LEDs for energy efficiency during use, it's less obvious how the three technologies compare when *all* of the inputs (manufacture, transportation, disposal, etc.) are considered. Their findings were that CFL and LED lamps use less than 670 kWh of primary energy during their entire life, compared to 3,302 kWh for a traditional incandescent (for a lifetime of 25,000 hours). Other concerns besides energy consumption were studied as well, and you find this information in the executive summary linked to by this post.

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Incandescents phased out in the EU

This week begins the phasing out the sale of incandescent bulbs in the EU. The reason for the phase-out is to bring the EU closer to their goal of cutting green house gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020. The standard replacement for the out-of-vogue incandescent is the compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL). A transition to CFLs offers the potential for large energy savings, because of their increased efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs: CFLs have a typical emission efficiency of 60 lumens per watt compared to 15 lumens per watt for incandescent bulbs. For more information, see our resources page on lighting. Among the concerns raised by opponents of the switch (EU officials are "depriving children of traditional fairground lights") are some more serious concerns about the mercury content of the bulbs (see again our resources page for a quick primer). The amount of mercury contained in each CFL is significantly smaller than the mercury typically emitted through combustion of fossil fuels used to produce the additional energy required to light the incandescent bulb being replaced. A key word here is `contained'; the mercury in the bulb is indeed contained whereas the mercury emitted during energy generation is distributed in the environment where it can find its way into the food supply and eventually our bodies. If the CFL is broken, of course, care must be taken during clean-up. It is interesting for us to follow this story in the EU, especially since the US is set to begin a similar phase-out in 2012.

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Sears Tower to Be Revamped to Produce Most of Its Own Power

Plans are in place to make energy-reducing improvements to Chicago's Sears Tower. The $350 million project is to begin immediately, and could include placement of wind turbines and photovoltaic panels on its recessed rooftops, as well as upgrading the glass exterior by replacing the 16,000 windows with panes having a reflective coating. Other improvements under consideration relate to internal lighting, heating, cooling and elevator systems. Once the 5-year project is complete, the Tower's electricity consumption is expected to decline by 80 percent from current levels. Additionally, a hotel to be constructed adjacent to the Tower will draw "net zero energy from the power grid."

Interesting note for the local energy enthusiasts: "the Sears Tower plans to open a first-floor center to educate the public about the redesign."

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Stacked LEDs could shine bright white light

Light emitting diodes hold the potential to drastically improve the energy efficiency of lighting our homes and workplaces. Conventional LEDs produce light only at specific wavelengths. Making white light from them is costly. Now a potentially cheaper option is emerging thanks to the development of organic dyes that emit blue and amber photons, and the ability to combine both in the light-emitting layer of an LED. The result is an organic LED (WOLED) that produces white light directly.

Also, see NETG's resources section to learn a bit more about different lighting technologies.

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