Lighting efficiency and environmental issues in Argentina. Current status and perspectives

Leonardo Assaf, Depto. de Luminotecnia, Luz y Visión, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina
Gautam Dutt, Efficient Lighting Initiative, Argentina
Carlos Tanides, Departamento de Electrotecnia, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Keywords

Argentina, electricy generation, demand reduction, environmental impact of lighting systems, mercury, greenhous gas emissions, discharge lamps, lighting design standards, light pollution, Rosario (city of)

Abstract

The environmental impact of lighting systems includes: (a) air pollution and other effects of electricity generation; (b) toxic wastes from lighting systems; (c) adverse photobiological effects; and (d) light pollution.

Energy-efficient lighting permits reducing the environmental impact of electricity generation. Year 2000 lighting energy demand in Argentina was about 17.5 TWh, 26 % of total electricity demand. Of this, 2.8 TWh was used for street lighting, 5.8 TWh in the residential sector, and 8.8 TWh in non-residential buildings. Energy consumption can be substantially reduced in each case. We estimate energy savings potential of 50 % for residential buildings, 40% in non-residential buildings and 25 % in street lighting. We give examples from a few non-residential buildings where efficiency improvements involve high-efficacy lamps, electronic ballasts, high-efficiency luminaires and improved design. Achieving the energy savings potential of efficient lighting would reduce annual CO2 emissions by 5 million tonnes, not considering other environmental impact of electricity generation.

Mercury contained in discharge lamps is the principal toxic residue of concern and while some 461 kg of mercury was released in 2000 through discarded lamps, this value can be considerably reduced through better waste management practices, as required by national regulations. New lamp models with much lower mercury content would reduce future environmental impact. Other forms of environmental impact, such as adverse photobiological effects of lighting systems and light pollution, can be reduced through adequate lighting design and standards. The city of Rosario has already issued an ordinance to limit light pollution from exterior lighting.