Researchers at Manchester University have joined forces with Dialight Lumidrives Ltd, a company founded by a former student, to develop low-cost LED lighting systems for use in buildings and on roads.
The work will involve investigating how to make tightly-packed groups of LEDs work safely and reliably. Lights using LEDs have the potential to reduce energy consumption by between 25 and 50 per cent, but thermal and electrical issues at lighting levels of 12,000 lumens and above (a typical 60 watt household light bulb produces about 800 lumens) are barriers to the wider adoption of LED technology.
The researchers will be working with York-based Dialight to find ways to reduce the amount of heat generated when LEDs packed closely together. Another challenge will be complying with regulations governing properties such as glare and light pollution, as it is difficult to precisely direct LED light sources.
The one-year project is funded with a GBP175,000 grant from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Technology Programme, with Dialight contributing another GBP 175,000.
Roger Shuttleworth from the Power Conversion Group at Manchester University said, “LED technology first came to prominence in instrument displays back in the 1970s, but we are increasingly seeing it used in things like traffic signals and car lights. With the environment at the top of the public and political agenda, energy saving has become a very important issue. When you consider how many street lights there are in the UK alone, it’s clear there are some big opportunities for energy and cost savings.”
The high-pressure sodium vapour street lighting common across much of Europe gives an efficiency of around 85 lumens per watt. LED technology is on track to exceed 150 lumens per watt. As well as cutting energy consumption and overall running costs, LED street lighting could help reduce light pollution. It is also proposed that LED street lighting could be controlled and dimmed when necessary. LED street lights would also have a longer life span.
The work will involve investigating how to make tightly-packed groups of LEDs work safely and reliably. Lights using LEDs have the potential to reduce energy consumption by between 25 and 50 per cent, but thermal and electrical issues at lighting levels of 12,000 lumens and above (a typical 60 watt household light bulb produces about 800 lumens) are barriers to the wider adoption of LED technology.
The researchers will be working with York-based Dialight to find ways to reduce the amount of heat generated when LEDs packed closely together. Another challenge will be complying with regulations governing properties such as glare and light pollution, as it is difficult to precisely direct LED light sources.
The one-year project is funded with a GBP175,000 grant from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Technology Programme, with Dialight contributing another GBP 175,000.
Roger Shuttleworth from the Power Conversion Group at Manchester University said, “LED technology first came to prominence in instrument displays back in the 1970s, but we are increasingly seeing it used in things like traffic signals and car lights. With the environment at the top of the public and political agenda, energy saving has become a very important issue. When you consider how many street lights there are in the UK alone, it’s clear there are some big opportunities for energy and cost savings.”
The high-pressure sodium vapour street lighting common across much of Europe gives an efficiency of around 85 lumens per watt. LED technology is on track to exceed 150 lumens per watt. As well as cutting energy consumption and overall running costs, LED street lighting could help reduce light pollution. It is also proposed that LED street lighting could be controlled and dimmed when necessary. LED street lights would also have a longer life span.
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