GE working on 4x more efficient Incandescent bulbs by 2010

Posted on Tuesday, February 27 2007 @ 17:04 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
After Australia, California and some European countries talked about banning incandescent bulbs GE suddenly comes with an announcement that they are working on new high efficiency incandescent bulbs that will be up to four times as efficient as current models:
The new high efficiency incandescent (HEI) lamp, which incorporates innovative new materials being developed in partnership by GE’s Lighting division, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and GE’s Global Research Center, headquartered in Niskayuna, NY, would replace traditional 40- to 100-Watt household incandescent light bulbs, the most popular lamp type used by consumers today. The new technology could be expanded to all other incandescent types as well. The target for these bulbs at initial production is to be nearly twice as efficient, at 30 lumens-per-Watt, as current incandescent bulbs. Ultimately the high efficiency lamp (HEI) technology is expected to be about four times as efficient as current incandescent bulbs and comparable to CFL bulbs. Adoption of new technology could lead to greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 40 million tons of CO2 in the U.S. and up to 50 million tons in the EU if the entire installed base of traditional incandescent bulbs was replaced with HEI lamps.

Kevin Nolan, Vice President of Technology for GE Consumer & Industrial, said: “In addition to offering significant energy savings comparable to CFLs, the 21st century version of Edison’s bulb provides all the desirable benefits including light quality and instant-on convenience as incandescent lamps currently provide at a price that will be less than CFLs. We and other lighting manufacturers have been aggressive in developing and marketing CFLs. But consumers want more options and we plan to respond to their needs and deliver environmental benefits, too. It’s important that we offer consumers a full range of products that meet their personal desire to reduce their negative impact on the environment while preserving their ability to pick the best lighting product for their needs. That’s why we are moving aggressively to commercialize these new lamps.”

GE’s announcement was made in conjunction with its decision to support legislation in the EU, the United States and in other areas that would accelerate the introduction of all types of high efficiency lighting products as part of the global effort to promote energy security and reduce emission of greenhouse gases. GE’s HEI would support attainment of the objectives of the European Commission’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which aims to reduce Europe’s energy consumption 20% by the year 2020.

GE has invested more than $200 million in the last four years on the development of energy efficient lighting, including reduced-powered Miser light bulbs to high-efficiency Par 38 halogen lamps and Energy Smart compact fluorescent lamps. The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recognized its contributions to energy efficiency and GHG reductions every year since 2004 with the ENERGY STAR Award, and in 2006 with the ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence. GE offers 67 ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting products. The environmental benefits of these products sold in 2006 alone will, over their lifetime, reduce consumers’ electricity costs by $1.3 billion and prevent 500 million tons of GHG emissions.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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