The European design competition “Lights of the Future” for energy-efficient lamp dedicated fixtures: A successful example of market transformation

Paolo Bertoldi, European Commission JRC

Keywords

residential lighting, market transformation, design competition, energy efficient luminaires

Abstract

Market research has indicated that to achieve durable market transformation and to substantially increase the use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) in the residential sector, it is essential to develop and market attractive and well designed CFL dedicated lighting fixtures. To this end the first European Design Competition (EDC) for designers, students and fixture manufacturers was launched in 1999. The main challenge for competition participants was to produce innovative and attractive design solutions aimed at the residential market for lighting fixtures dedicated to pin-based CFLs.

The competition attracted a very large number of participants, including very well know designers and the largest European lighting fixtures manufacturers. Among them, 27 models were declared winners of the competition. The competition was followed by a European-wide marketing and promotion campaign for the winning models, carried out during the May 2000–December 2001. The winning models were exhibited at the largest European fairs on residential lighting.

In May 2001 the second EDC was launched. In the second competition, the range of eligible lighting technologies has been extended to include other high efficiency lamps, such as metal halide lamps and LEDs. In the second competition a wide participation has been achieved and the submission are of the highest level.

The paper presents: the full results of the first EDC and the following marketing campaign; the preliminary results of the second EDC; and assess the market transformation effects resulting from the continuation of the action. In particular the response to the policy action by luminaires manufacturers, designers and consumers, will be highlighted.