Energy Efficient Lighting Could Save U.S. $9 Billion
Green Chip Stocks
TheEnergy Policy Act of 2005 called for the highly criticized extension ofDaylight Savings in an effort to reduce energy use, particularly the use of incandescent lighting.
Incandescent lamps (ILs) have taken a lot of heat over the past few years across the globe, and are starting to be replaced with newer, more efficientlighting technologies like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
Recently, at climate change negotiations in Cancun, Mexico, the United Nations Environment Programme’s en.lighten initiative released findings that by replacing these energy guzzlers, the U.S. could save $9 billion and help to avoid approximately 45 million metric tons of carbondioxide emissions — the equivalent of removing 11 million vehicles fromthe road.
Percentage of national savings in electricity consumption obtained from the change of ILs to CFLs
The findings were part of a 100 Country Living Assessment, that assessedthe energy, financial, and CO2 savings potential of efficient lightingif utilized in 100 countries that have not yet initiated the transitionas of 2010.
Findings for other countries included:
-
Mexico potentially saving $900 million, reducing 5 million tons of CO2 emissions
-
Indonesia potentially saving $1 billion and cutting 8 million tons of CO2annually — the equivalent of taking two million cars off the road;
-
Ukraine, an economy in transition, potentially saving $210 million withgreenhouse gas reductions of 2 million tons of CO2 a year
"A switch to efficient lighting in Indonesia, for example, would avoid the need to build 3.5 coal-fired power stations costing $2.5 billion andsimilar findings come from other country assessments," said AchimSteiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP executive director.
"Such calculations do not include the wider environmental, health and ‘GreenEconomy’ benefits to communities and countries of switching away from,for example, fuels such as kerosene and reducing emissions from sourcessuch as fossil-fueled power stations — an estimated 1.8 million deaths a year are linked with indoor and 800,000 with outdoor air pollution:more efficient lighting has a role to play here, too.”
Steiner also noted larger savings could be achieved if other inefficientlighting technologies are also substituted, such as inefficient tubelights or inefficient halogens.
en.lighten is also convening experts from over 30 countries to develop a draftroad map for the global phase-out of inefficient lighting.
It will include policy, technical, and financial recommendations tosupport this transition and is expected to be tabled for globalconsultation in the second half of 2011.
Until Next Time,
Angela Guss
Energy Efficient Lighting Could Save U.S. $9 Billion originally appeared in Green Chip Stocks. Green Chip Review is a free 2x-per-week newsletter, is the firstadvisory to focus exclusively on investments in alternative andrenewable energies.
Green Chip Stocks Editors & Contributors
Jeff Siegel
Jeff Siegel is the managing editor of Green Chip Stocks, an independent investment research service that focuses exclusively on renewable energy and organic and natural food markets.
Nick Hodge
One of the bright young minds in today's cleantech industry, Nick is putting his knowledge of nascent green markets to use in several ways... Nick is the co-author of a best-selling book and has interviewed dozens of times for TV and Web; his keen insight, uncanny foresight, and global contacts have led to double- and triple-digit wins for his readers, time after time.