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Energy Efficient Lighting


Table of Contents

[top] [end] Load Management Through Use Of Energy Efficient Lighting

[top] [end]Effective Use of CFL And Electronic Ballast

If we convert Incandescent Lights with CFL and existing Tube lights having Magnetic ballasts with Electronic ballast, then our Lighting bill will reduce by at least 60% or more. For example in Bangladesh Domestic consumption is around 40%. Assuming overall minimum 20% saving for lighting, we can reduce our Peak demand or Load shedding by at least 400 MW, which is at leastTaka (Tk) 10,000 million from “Generation-transmission-distribution cost” against additional investment of Tk 8300 million by consumers (at diversity factor 33%) & Power factor improvement investment by Utilities.

Normal incandescent lamps consume more than 90% electricity for heating and 10% for illumination, so avoid it. For lights used more than 4 hours a day, use Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFL) or Energy Saving Lamps. Again Incandescent lamps have 1000-hour life & CFL have 6,000-15,000 hours life. Slim tube lights save more electricity.

[top] [end]Electricity Consumption Of Various Lighting Items

1. A 100 w incandescent lamp will consume 100 watt of electricity and after 10 hours of use 1 unit of electricity will be used.

2 30 Watt CFL (equivalent to 100w normal lamp) will consume 30 watt of electricity and after 33 hours of use 1 unit of electricity will be used thus saving 66% electricity. 3. A 60 w incandescent lamp will consume 60 watt of electricity and after 16.67 hours of use 1 unit of electricity will be used.

4 20 Watt CFL (equivalent to 60 w normal lamp) will consume 20watt of electricity and after 50 hours of use 1 unit of electricity will be used thus saving 66% electricity. 20 watt

5 A 4 ' Tube light with ordinary ballast will consume 48 watt of electricity and after 21hours of use 1 unit of electricity will be used.

6 4' Tube light with Electronic ballast will consume 34 watt of electricity and after 29 hours of use 1 unit of electricity will be used thus saving 29% electricity.

[top] [end]The measures which may be taken which will lead to quick implementation of Load management through energy efficient lighting.

  • CFL Warranty increase to 2 years. The CFL have 6,000-10,000 hours life. Considering 8 hours a day use, it will last for 2-4 years. So it can have at least 2 years warranty. Result-Consumer confidence will grow, as he will find it cheaper in the long run.

  • Poor Power Factor & more harmonic distortion in cheap CFL. Most of the CFL available in country have poor Power factor around 60-70% & Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is also high. This is harmful when it is used in bulk. As a result savings in electricity is not wholly effective and it has adverse effect on electricity quality and generation. The authorities should allow only CFL with minimum 90% Power factor and THD below 30%.

  • Restriction on production and import or sale on 60 & above wattage of Incandescent Lamps.

  • No Tax or Duty be imposed on CFL & Electronic Ballasts.

  • Environmental effect of CFL. CFL contains Mercury, a toxic heavy metal. It is harmful and poses greatest hazard to pregnant women, infants, and children. The mercury content of a good quality CFL is 5-6 milligram. 1 cubic feet of soil can accommodate maximum 300 nanogram of mercury, so 1 CFL will require at least 589,000 cubic feet of soil. As such mercury content of CFL is hazardous for environment.

  • Disposal of CFL after full use. Mercury in Fluorescent lamps require special disposal, separate from general and household wastes. Safe disposal requires storing the bulb unbroken. A broken fluorescent lamp is more hazardous than a broken conventional incandescent bulb due to the mercury content. Authorities should ask CFL manufacturer/supplier to arrange safe Recycling facilities. Consumers should return it to the store from where it is purchased & the Store should return it to the original supplier for safe disposal.

  • Tube Lights-Electronic ballast vs. Ordinary (Magnetic) ballast. Electronic ballast saves at least 14 watts with same illumination. Only problem, voltage fluctuation may damage it. We can change all Magnetic ballasts with Electronic ballast.

  • Utilities concern-Poor Power factor. The Power factor due to extensive use of Tube lights and CFL will further decrease. As such Utilities are to immediately go for improvement of Power factor with installation of Power factor improvement devices. Otherwise overall system will not be benefited & losses will increase.

  • Utilities concern-System loss increase & Revenue decrease. The electric meters used in our country does not fully read at so low wattage of CFL or Tube lights (11/15/18/20 watts), so there will be Less Meter reading with CFL & Tube Lights than actually consumed, result “System loss increase and Revenue loss”. Remedy, Proportionate Tariff increase, Improved and sensitive meters may only be installed. In case of existing meters, estimated KWH per CFL of TL may be added.

  • There will be less heat emission in CFL leading to less Green house effect.

  • CFL on Loan to Consumers. It has been practiced in many Countries. CFL may be provided by Utilities on loan to the consumers. The recovery may be made from the equivalent amount of money saved for CFL in billing.

[top] [end]Motivation To Use Less Electricity

Motivation is a key to success in today’s management. People are required to make understand that we are having shortage of electricity.

Consumers are to be motivated to increase use of Energy efficient lighting equipments and again minimize misuse of electricity.

[top] [end]Save Energy, Save The Environment & Save Money

The author Shah Zulfiqar HaiderPEng is the First Registered Professional Engineer in REB/PBS, General Manager-Noakhali PBS with 26 years of Professional experience in Energy sector, TQM & Military Engineering Services. He is member of many International organizations. He has been to USA, China, Japan, India, Nepal etc on various professional visits.

The author can be reached via
Email. szhaider123@... or
Cell. +8801552-307218.

[top] [end]Contributors


Categories: Lighting


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Page created: 27 August 2007; Last edited: 28 August 2007; Version: 4
Knowledge Bank text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

Pagename: EnergyEfficientLighting @HEDON: CAHA