Energy Savings Estimates of Light Emitting Diodes in Niche Lighting Applications

Diana Burk, Brinda Thomas, and Michael Scholand, Navigant Consulting, Inc.
James R. Brodrick, U.S. Department of Energy

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Abstract

Solid-state lighting (SSL) has the potential to revolutionize the lighting market through its energy efficiency. Technical advances have made light emitting diodes (LEDs) cost-effective in not only many colored-light applications, but recently in outdoor white-light and indoor white-light applications as well. LED technology is capturing market share in several of these new applications because it offers energy savings, lower operating costs, and improved durability compared to conventional light sources such as incandescent, high intensity discharge (HID), and fluorescent.

This paper summarizes the analysis of six emerging niche markets for LEDs: traffic signals; exit signs; commercial refrigerated display cases; recessed downlights; street and area lighting; and step, path, and porch lighting. Estimates of energy savings in 2007 due to LED market penetration and the potential energy savings from 100% LED market penetration are presented in terms of both site (electricity) and source (primary) energy savings.

The combined energy savings of LEDs in these applications is approximately 7.45 Terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2007, equal to 80.4 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) of primary energy savings, the annual output of 1.2 large (1,000 MW) coal power plants or the annual electricity consumption of over 600,000 households. With complete market penetration of LEDs, 159.6 TWh (or 1723 TBtu) of electricity (or primary energy) savings are possible, equivalent to the electricity produced by 25 coal power plants or consumed by 13 million households per year. In addition to energy savings and market penetration, this paper discusses ancillary benefits of LEDs in these six niche applications.