An article in The Economist explores the possible consequence of the development and installation of solid-state lighting such as LED lights. According to a paper in the Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, electric consumptions could actually increase significantly. The predicted reason for the increase is our desire for more lighting will produce an increase in demand.
“To work out what solid-state lighting would do to the use of light by 2030, Dr Tsao and his colleagues made some assumptions about global economic output, the price of energy, the efficiency of the new technology and its cost. Assuming that, by 2030, solid-state lights will be about three times more efficient than fluorescent ones and that the price of electricity stays the same in real terms, the number of megalumen-hours consumed by the average person will, according to their model, rise tenfold, from 20 to 202. The amount of electricity needed to generate that light would more than double. Only if the price of electricity were to triple would the amount of electricity used to generate light start to fall by 2030.”
So, what does that mean for us? Control your demand. Be aware that your daily choices can make a huge impact on society – when your choice combines with millions of others. Carefully consider your options – only use what you need.
Just in time!