The UN General Assembly has declared 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, with a view to “highlight to citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures and for the development of society”.This initiative comes at a time when the world is facing the ill-effects of climate change and global warming. Energy efficient lighting is part of the global efforts to secure a better future for mankind.
As late HS Mamak, the father figure of Indian Lighting, said, “If we could replace one GLS bulb with a CFL in every electrified home in India, we would save something like 10,000 MW of electric load, enough to light up 100 million homes. Artificial light accounts for a fifth of the world’s electric consumption. It generates 1.9 billion tonnes of carbon in a year, which is three quarters of the carbon emission from the exhausts of all the light vehicles.”
An International Energy Agency report claims the world can reduce its energy use by almost 10%— more than what produced by hydro or nuclear stations—by switching to energy efficient lighting. India’s power generation is over 255,000 MW. The estimated shortage is in the region of 8% while the peak load shortage is 15%. Lighting consumes some 18% of generation or 36,000 MW. So, it is crucial to save energy in lighting. The first step in this direction is to replace existing lighting with more efficient options available:
The lighting industry, which stood at a mere Rs 1,000 crore in 1991, is today more than Rs 14,000 crore in turnover.
The industry is rapidly shifting from its traditional glass and metal technology to electronics, from a single light point to a system approach. The CFL was the beginning of the change and LEDs have completed the circuit. Each light point is now a system with digital potential to dim, change colour, and respond to sensors. Use of intelligent automatic lighting management controls can ensure maximum energy saving.
In offices and buildings, the difference in energy consumption between the older and the newer technologies can vary from 30% to 70%. Still in India less than 1% offices use lighting controls. A huge opportunity exists here as 70% of the commercial buildings standing in 2030 has yet to be built.
By Gulshan Aghi
The author is director & CEO, Trilux Lighting (India) Pvt. Ltd
