Energy Efficient Lighting

The state governments of Australia are fostering schemes to improve energy efficiency. There are differences in implementation but all rely on creating financial incentives for organisations to invest in energy saving products. One of the product groups identified is energy efficient lighting, incorporating both improvements to existing technologies and emerging technologies. Emerging technologies are those that are not fully developed and have little in the way of performance benchmarks. As such, they require development of a common set of metrics with which to compare products.

LED and induction lighting are two emerging technologies. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), T5 & T8 fluorescent lamps are examples of older technologies that are being phased out. For the most part, the energy efficiency schemes in Australia are focusing on emerging technologies.

All schemes rely on evidence based documentation that has, at its source, test laboratories reporting measurements. There is regulatory testing, such as EMC and electrical safety testing and performance testing.

The performance testing determines the extent of the energy savings for the product. For LED lighting, the majority of performance testing in Australia is to the North American IES standards: LM-79 and LM-80. A number of other standards are being developed around the world and there are currently attempts to harmonize the standards. The LM-79 test comprises a photometric luminous intensity test along with electrical measurements and LED specific. colour metrics. The LM-80 test is a life test that, due to its duration and cost, is typically performed by the manufacturer of the LED module who will then make the data available to implementers.

NSW (ESS, Energy Savings Scheme). The laboratory tested performance requirement consists of a single measurement of electrical supply power (otherwise called LCP or lamp circuit power). Refer ESS home and ESS fact sheets for details and publications.

Vic (VEU, Victorian Energy Upgrades). The VEU scheme has a longer list of requirements. Documentation requirements comprise an LM-79 test along with LM-80 and other data supplied by the manufacturer. Refer VEU home and VEU publications for details and publications.