Postings: from the desk of Jim Brodrick

This open email arrived from the Solid State Lighting program run by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE):

Postings: from the desk of Jim Brodrick
The broad commercialization of solid-state lighting (SSL) products is almost upon us. The technology has quickly reached the point in its evolution where the consuming public will soon be presented with a variety of products from which to choose. Over the past eight years, it has been my pleasure to work with the lighting industry and various other stakeholders to ensure that buyer satisfaction is a foregone conclusion when these products finally reach the mass market. Since we are beginning a new phase, I will be taking the opportunity of writing to you on a regular basis to keep you abreast of the fast-moving events that surround the SSL industry from the perspective of the Department of Energy (DOE).
DOE’s financial, technical and market resources have played a major role in the amazingly fast progression of “white light” solid-state lighting and will continue to do so through a variety of existing and planned programs. The Department has funded millions of dollars in basic and applied research, as well as in product testing and standards development. It has also invested heavily in product innovation programs, such as the “GATEWAY” demonstration program, the “Lighting for Tomorrow” competition and the forthcoming “L Prize,” which was established by the U.S. Congress to support the development of superior LED lamps.
We are now entering the commercialization phase of the Program. The DOE SSL Program has already contributed heavily to DOE’s ENERGY STAR Program, which will commence in September 30, 2008, by working with industry to establish nationally-recognized testing standards and by providing technical information that is reflected in the new criteria for ENERGY STAR-qualifying products. We are also beginning to work with major retailers to ensure that they have a working knowledge of the SSL industry, the benefits of LED lighting, and how to specify quality products from their vendors. We will also be working with retailers on their consumer messaging.
The most important issue on the minds of many is the conflicting ENERGY STAR qualifying criteria that have resulted since the June 2nd issuance of of EPA’s own criteria for SSLs. The Department’s position is that it will continue to work to resolve issues with EPA, but that the DOE Program announced in September of last year, which will become effective on September 30, 2008, will be the sole program by that date. It should be noted that two major energy efficiency sponsors, Efficiency Vermont and Pacific Gas and Electric, the nation’s largest utility, have stated publicly that they will not support the EPA Program. We understand others are to follow.
For those of you coming to our July 9-11 meeting in Portland, Oregon, I look forward to meeting with you. For more information on the meeting please go to http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/PortlandWorkshop.html.

Energy Star Wars

This week's big story in the LED world is the announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new set of Energy Star requirements for LED-based residential lighting fixtures. However, EPA's criteria overlap with and contradict Energy Star for Solid State Lighting documentation already published, after industry-wide consulation, by the Department of Energy (DOE).
Read the full story on the LEDs Magazine website, then let us know what you think.
- Should the EPA have issued the RLF 4.2 document?
- Should they have made greater efforts to coordinate with DOE?
- Does this help or hinder the development of the solid-state lighting industry?

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