ITFSP is keeping a close watch on international activity and supporting a range of energy efficiency initiatives, especially those around the development of harmonised product standards, accreditation of international best practice and global phase-out of traditional incandescent lamps.
The International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) publication Light’s Labour’s Lost: Policies for Energy-Efficient Lighting, estimates that Globally, lighting consumes more electricity than is produced by either hydro or nuclear power and results in CO2 emissions, equivalent to two thirds of the world's cars. Were people around the world to universally stop using incandescent lamps from 2012 onwards and instead use lamps with an efficiency of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) it would save 5.5% of global power demand and avoid roughly 500 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The following summaries highlight a range of international initiatives and work aimed at:
Standards
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Harmonisation
ITFSP is working to build upon the existing work of the International Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Harmonisation Initiative launched at RightLight6 in Shanghai (May 2005), aimed at increasing the availability of higher quality, energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps around the world through co-operation on testing and standard setting.
This project will be reinforced by working through the ITFSP to encourage co-operative action to set and raise global lighting efficiency standards. Co-operation is growing particularly in partnership with China, which is the world’s largest manufacturer of lamps.
Key outputs to date are:
- October 2006: Proposed amendment of IEC 60969 sent to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
- 2006: Draft testing procedure produced and round robin testing conducted.
- October 2006: Draft tiered system of performance standards published.
- 2007: Draft information sharing system
- 2007: bi-lateral agreements between various countries on sharing data
Mercury
Mercury is a hazardous substance currently included in fluorescent lamps. The EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS) limits the amount of mercury allowable to a maximum of 5 mg/lamp.
However, there is no agreed test procedure to test the amount of mercury in lamps. This is being reviewed under the CFLi.
If there is a large switch from incandescent lamps to CFLs in a global low efficacy phase out, there will be significant additional mercury in the waste stream at the end of life of these lamps. Note however, that there is mercury released by the generation of electricity, so this is not always a clear disadvantage. Many countries, especially with coal-fuelled electricity generation are examining the relative weightings of this aspect.
Waste
In the EU, CFLs entering the waste stream are controlled under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) Regulations 2006, which encourage the separate collection of electrical and electronic equipment, including CFLs, from household waste. The Regulations require that producers finance the recycling of electronic equipment when it reaches the end of its life.
Eco-design of Energy Using Products (EuP)
The Framework Directive for the Eco-design of Energy Using Products (EuP) provides a framework for establishing minimum eco-design requirements for energy using products. It is intended to help deliver European Union (EU) objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of products, and to ensure free-trade in energy-using products.
A series of products are being evaluated through Preparatory Studies. These studies are intended to provide the Commission and the product Consultation Forum with the evidence available to allow them to assess whether a product should be considered for an implementing measure. The studies take between 10 to 24 months, depending on their complexity and are intended to set out the available evidence rather than making policy recommendations. Once complete the preparatory studies are used by the Commission to produce an initial proposal for discussion by the Consultation Forum. Following discussion by the Consultation Forum the Commission will proceed, if appropriate, to produce a formal proposal for an implementing measure, for example, directives, voluntary agreements, decisions, or regulations.
For more information on studies related to work on domestic lighting, office lighting and street lighting products see:
Future preparatory studies are expected to include industrial lighting. Residential lighting will be included, and it is likely that there will be an implementing measure for residential lighting. This could include the mandatory phase out of low efficacy lamps.
Accreditation of Best Practice
Multi-Country Efficient Lighting Initiative (ELI) - www.efficientlighting.net
The International Finance Corporation (IFC)/ Global Environment Facility (GEF) Efficient Lighting Initiative has developed a “toolkit” of market transformation approaches, including public education, standards and labeling, electric utility programs, financing mechanisms, targeted subsidies, and market aggregation. Project teams in seven countries - Argentina, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Peru, Philippines, and South Africa - conducted detailed market research to apply and tailor the toolkit to national circumstances.
Individual projects in the portfolio suggest many lessons for future project design and implementation. For example, the Mexico lighting project suggests that (1) DSM programs can deliver a large number of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs); (2) distribution through utility offices and consumer on-the-bill credit is feasible; (3) bulk procurement can lower retail costs; and (4) large programmes can spur replication by attracting the attention of policymakers and utility managers. The Thailand DSM project suggests that (1) voluntary agreements with suppliers can be highly effective; (2) well-designed and extensive marketing can achieve significant energy savings at relatively low costs; and (3) appliance labeling can achieve large market shifts when done properly. The Thailand project also offers many instructive lessons on how to design utility DSM programs.
A legacy of the program is the self-sustaining ELI Product Quality Certification Institute, which continues to support efficient lighting product quality in developing country markets in partnership with bulk procurement agents and the lighting industry. Based in China, the Institute is administered by the China Standard Certification Center.
The ELI Quality Certification Institute is currently promoting the following voluntary technical specifications for energy efficient lighting:
- Self-Ballasted Compact Fluorescent Lamps
- Double-Capped Fluorescent Lamps
- Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts (February 2007)
- Indoor Luminaires (to be launched October 2007)
- First LED Products (to be launched December 2007)
Publications:
The ELI Story: Transforming Markets for Efficient Lighting (May 2005)
Download the publication
Energy Star
Energy Star is a United States government’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programme to promote energy efficient consumer products. It began as a voluntary labelling programme designed to identify and promote energy efficient products, and computer products were the first to be labelled, though it has since expanded to major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more. The label can also be found on some new homes and commercial and industrial buildings.
Energy Star has been instrumental in the more widespread use of LED traffic lights and wider take-up of efficient fluorescent lighting (CFLs). Energy saved through the adoption of Energy star qualified residential and commercial lighting products, reported in the 2006 Annual report is 13 billion kWh.
Energy Star has now been adopted by several countries around the world, including the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Lighting, however, is not covered by this agreement in the EU.
EST Specification
Under the UK Energy Saving Trust’s (EST) Energy Saving Recommended (ESR) scheme only products that meet strict criteria on energy efficiency and independently tested by an independent accredited test house can carry the logo.
As well as energy consumption, criteria for lightbulbs cover how long they should last, start-up time, quality of light, packaging information and safety. The criteria are reviewed on a regular basis (current version v6) and standards are constantly being raised to make sure that energy saving bulbs keep on improving in terms of efficiency and performance.
The specification for ESR accreditation for CFLs is high and similar to the Energy Star level. A recent review of this label (to version 6) increased the lifespan significantly.
Eco Labelling
Eco labelling schemes are growing in popularity and the table below presents a summary of the schemes which incorporate environmental performance and impact criteria for lighting products. The ITFSP aims to encourage its members to support initiatives leading to increased harmonisation of standards and initiatives that will raise the energy performance standards.
Country Programmes and Product Criteria
Programme |
Name of Criteria/Standards |
Original No./Code |
Canada 
(Environmental Choice(Ecologo) |
Candles |
CCD-130 |
Compact Fluorescent Lights & Lamps |
CCD-014 |
China Environmental United Certification Center 
(China Environmental Labelling) |
Light Panels |
HBC19-2003 |
Energy-Saving Florescent Lamps |
HJBZ15.1-1997 |
Energy-Saving Low-mercury Double-capped Florescent Lamps |
HJBZ15.2-1997 |
Energy-Saving Electronic Ballasts |
HJBZ15.3-1997 |
Czech Republic 
(Environmental Choice) |
Light Sources |
26-2004 |
EU 
(Ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to light bulbs) |
Lamp |
EC Decision number 2002/747/EC |
Germany 
(Blue Angel) |
Electronic Ballasts for Fluorescent Lamps |
81 |
Korea 
(Environmental Labelling) |
Fluorescent Lamps |
201 |
Ballasts for Fluorescent Lamps |
202 |
Lamps with Built-in Ballasts |
203 |
Lighting Fixtures with Sensor |
204 |
Ballasts for Sodium Vapour Lamps |
205 |
Nordic Countries
    
(Nordic Swan)
includes Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden |
Light Sources |
|
Singapore 
(Green Label) |
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (Integral) |
7 |
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (Modular) |
8 |
Taiwan 
(Green Mark) |
Compact Fluorescent Lamps |
22 |
Fluorescent Lamp Starters |
38 |
Fluorescent (lamp) Tubes |
42 |
Thailand 
(Thai Green Label) |
Fluorescent Lamps |
TGL-02-R2-02 |
Electronic Ballasts |
TGL-23 |
USA 
(Green Seal) |
Compact Fluorescent Lamps |
GS-05 |
Global Phase Out of Low Efficacy Lamps
Since early 2007 almost all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) governments have begun developing policies aimed at phasing-out low efficacy lighting. The intention is to encourage the usage of higher efficiency lamps and most notably Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). The result is a strong probability that the majority of incandescent lamps will be prohibited from sale within the OECD countries in the 2008 to 2016 timeframe.
Globally, OECD economies account for approximately 50% of global incandescent (GLS) lamp sales of between 12 and 13 billion lamps per annum. Regulatory, fiscal and voluntary measures to phase-out GLS lamps are in place or under development in Australia, Canada, the EU (including separate national initiatives in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK), Switzerland and the USA.
Beyond the OECD the focus is on China, which currently consumes roughly 2 billion GLS lamps. China is also the dominant producer of CFLs for the global market, with over 80% of all CFLs manufactured there, including most of those sourced to OECD markets through the major lamp manufacturers. The Chinese government and lighting industry is currently evaluating the pros and cons of an accelerated phase-out of GLS lamps in China as well as of the probable cumulative impact of the international regulations on the global lamp market and in particular the demand for CFLs.
Elsewhere, Brazil is already using as many CFLs as GLS lamps and has benefited from substantial sustained electricity savings as a result. Cuba and Venezuela have implemented regulatory measures to phase-out incandescent lamps within their borders. The already very substantial CFL promotional programmes in Indonesia, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Thailand, the Philippines, Egypt and several other non-OECD economies are currently being strengthened.
The unprecedented rapidity of these international policy developments is of such a scale that it could pose a risk for the security of supply of CFLs in the international market. Depending on the timing and ambition of policy settings and the lamp production investment decisions taken in response to these, there is a real risk of shortages of lamps of appropriate quality, which is liable to seriously undermine public confidence in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas abatement efforts in general.
In response to this concern, the IEA has launched a study into the global supply of CFLs under various phase-out scenarios. Funded initially by Canada, the UK and the ‘big four’ lamp manufacturers, the study should report its findings in the spring of 2008. ITFSP will be taking a keen interest in the study and its outcome.
For an overview of global phase out initiatives, see CLASP’s article A Global Movement toward Phasing out Energy Inefficient Light Bulbs (January 2008) -http://www.clasponline.org/listnews.php?no=517
Global Environment Facility (GEF) Lighting Projects - www.gefweb.org/
The GEF is launching a global initiative to speed up transformation of the market for efficient lighting technologies in developing countries. The program aims to accelerate the phase-out of inefficient lighting and thereby reduce global Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It has three inter-related objectives: (1) to promote high-performance, energy-efficient lighting technologies; (2) to phase out inefficient, incandescent lamps; and (3) to substitute traditional fuel-based lighting with modern, efficient alternatives. The GEF implementing agencies for this project are the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). They will work in close partnership with the private sector, mainly the lighting industry, and intend to build upon the existing related activities supported by the GEF. The global program will serve as an ‘umbrella’ under which further national projects in various countries will be undertaken. A first series of national projects is under development and projects are being developed initially with China and the Russian Federation.
The Project Identification Form  (1.36MB) provides information on justification for the project, its objectives and implementation framework.
Project contact person:
Bernard Jamet, UNEP GEF Climate Change Unit bernard.jamet@unep.fr
Benoit Lebot, UNDP Climate Change Technical Advisor benoit.lebot@undp.org
Alongside the major conference ‘Phase-Out 2008 – Working towards global phase-out of inefficient lighting’ (12-15th May, Shanghai, China), the GEF, UNEP and UNDP are convening a special 1-day meeting to develop, design, refine and finalize the global project. The discussions are intended to shape the activities, outcomes, and outputs of the multiyear collaborative efforts to help GEF beneficiary countries work out how to phase-out inefficient lighting in their own economies. The meeting intends to gather together all relevant stakeholders: lighting industry representatives, government officials, NGOs, international and national lighting institutions, and lighting and market transformation specialists.
Further information:
‘Phase-Out 2008 – Working towards global phase-out of inefficient lighting’ (12-15th May, Shanghai, China)
Developing new markets
Lighting Africa
Currently estimates are that 1.7 billion people worldwide are without electricity. The problem is most acute in Sub-Saharan Africa where over 500 million people presently lack modern energy; rural rates of access to electricity can be as low as 2%. For the poorest of the poor, lighting is often the most expensive item among their energy uses, typically accounting for 10-15% of total household income. Yet, while consuming a large share of scarce income, fuel based lighting provides little in the way of useable light, and is often accompanied by other detrimental impacts on individual well-being (such as eye sight and respiratory problems).
Modern forms of lighting, improving both the quantity and quality of light, can:
- Extend the working day for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
- Improve personal, business and community safety and security via outdoor lighting
- Create better conditions in educational premises leading to higher rates of student attendance and teacher retention; time for student reading and studying is extended and there are greater opportunities for adult literacy and higher education programs, e.g. in the evening
- Improve health services delivery.
New advancements in lighting technology, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs), show great promise in delivering clean, portable, durable, lower cost, and higher quality lighting. The challenge now is to make these products accessible to the half billion "lighting poor" in Africa (and thus ‘leapfrog’ traditional, less energy efficient, incandescent lighting).
Lighting Africa is a World Bank Group initiative aimed at providing up to 250 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to non-fossil fuel based, low cost, safe, and reliable lighting products with associated basic energy services by the year 2030.
CDM enables installation of 400 million energy efficient light bulbs in India
The Indo-German Energy Programme carried out by the GTZ and the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is disseminating up to 400 million energy-efficient light bulbs to private households all over the country over five years. This should reduce the electricity demand by a total of about 10,000 MW. However, modern compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs are ten times more expensive than conventional bulbs. To make the energy-efficient CFLs affordable for all Indian households, the GTZ is assisting the BEE in registering the project under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). By applying to a special CDM category – a “Programme of Activities” (PoA) – it becomes possible to ‘bundle’ the emissions from about 100 small-scale CFL projects under one organizational umbrella. The PoA is particularly relevant for development projects because it allows the bundling of reductions from many small actions. The BEE and GTZ hope to realize a potential CO2 reduction equivalent of 10 million tons annually, which will generate 10 million certified emissions reductions (CER). Revenues from the CERs will help cover the investment costs of €1.4 million per million CFL bulbs. The GTZ is currently drafting the PoA and designing a rigorous monitoring plan for this complex CDM project; the next step will be to obtain clearance from the CDM board.
Innovation
Solid State Lighting – Light Emitting Diodes
The most promising innovation in non-domestic lighting is the development of solid state lighting (SSL) - light emitting diodes (LEDs). This technology is expected to achieve efficiencies at least ten times better than tungsten filament lamps and up to twice as good as fluorescent lamps.
The US Department of Energy’s (DoE) publication LED, the Basics states that the number of white light LED products available on the market continues to grow, including portable desk/task lights, under-cabinet lights, recessed downlights, retail display lights, and outdoor fixtures for street, parking lot, path, and other area lighting. Some of these products perform very well, but the quality and energy efficiency of LED products still varies widely, for several reasons:
- LED technology continues to change and evolve very quickly. New generations of LED devices become available approximately every 4 to 6 months.
- Lighting fixture manufacturers face a learning curve in applying LEDs. Because they are sensitive to thermal and electrical conditions, LEDs must be carefully integrated into lighting fixtures.
- Important differences in LED technology compared to other light sources have created a gap in the industry standards and test procedures that underpin all product comparisons and ratings. New standards, test procedures are under development and Energy Star criteria for SSL luminaires intended for general illumination were published in 2007 (http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/energy_star.html )
For further information on SSL see Transformations in Lighting, 2008 DOE Solid-State Lighting R&D Workshop
Other Technologies
Other efficient lighting technologies which may develop in future, some of which could rival fluorescent lamps in replacing inefficient lamps, are:
- Pin-base CFLs
- High efficiency incandescent lamps
- Ceramic metal halide lamps
- Fibre optic technology
- Tungsten photonic lattice lamps
- Halogen infrared lamps
- Organic light emitting diodes
- Cold cathode compact fluorescent lamps
- Sulphur plasma lamps
Globally many research centres are conducting research supporting innovations in:
- Lighting distribution systems
- Sources and ballasts
- Lighting controls and communications
- Human factors affecting operation
The ITFSP will continue to monitor activity and seek to engage its members with programmes benefiting from greater international cooperation.
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