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Energy saving streetlight launched, mailshot lightbulbs banned |
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5 Jan 2010, 12:10 PM
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An energy saving alternative to traditional street lights is now available, and although street lighting only accounts for 2% of total UK electricty consumption, the manufacturers claim using the new LED version could save 70% of that. The innovative lights have been designed and developed in the UK by Advanced LEDs Ltd through a technology partnership with E.ON . The street lights are produced in Coventry by Remploy, the country’s leading provider of specialist employment services to people with disabilities and complex barriers to work.
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In trials at the factory in Coventry, the LED street lights consumed up to 70 percent less energy, which would mean they had the potential to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint by around 853,013 tonnes. Thanks to their long life, they have, in trials, delivered estimated whole life running cost savings of up to a third.
Michael Woodhead, Managing Director for E.ON Sustainable Energy, said: “I’m delighted that we’re launching not only the first PFI compliant street light, but also the first low energy street light to be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in the UK. This is an example of the tremendous opportunities lower carbon technology represents not only for savings to the public purse, but as a chance for UK plc to lead the world in cutting edge innovation.” The Marlin street light has been successfully tested at a number of E.ON sites and accredited as S class compliant and suitable for the high standards required for the street lighting PFI market.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported that energy companies have bombarded households with 200million free eco-lightbulbs despite warnings that many go unused. The unsolicited energy saving bulbs were posted to customers over the last 20 months because junk mail campaigns were the cheapest way for firms to meet Government green targets.
One supplier sent out 12million over Christmas alone, clogging up the postal service at the busiest time of the year.
But many families have no need for yet more bulbs - with six unused low-energy ones already stashed away in drawers and cupboards of the typical home, according to the Energy Saving Trust. The mail schemes - paid for by householders through fuel bills - allowed suppliers to meet their legally binding targets for improving home energy efficiency.
An average gas and electricity customer pays £38 a year towards subsidies for green projects, according to Ofgem. The energy watchdog revealed the waste involved in free bulb mailing schemes after a Government ban on them came into force on New Year's Day. Companies began their avalanche of lightbulbs in spring 2008 after ministers ordered them to invest in projects to improve home energy efficiency as part of a Government scheme designed to cut carbon emissions.
Suppliers were allowed to pick from a menu of power-saving measures - such as subsidised loft insulation or free cavity wall insulation for pensioners. However, firms realised the cheapest way to meet the targets was by sending out millions of low-energy lightbulbs.
A report concluded: 'Government is increasingly concerned that the number of bulbs already distributed has been so high that it may work out at more than the average number of highest-use light fittings in a house. As such, there is an increasing risk to carbon savings under the scheme where bulbs are not used, are installed on low-use light fittings or replace existing low energy bulbs.'
The DECC is also considering stopping energy firms funding subsidised lightbulbs in shops to meet their obligations under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme. Ministers want to encourage companies to start focusing their efforts on subsidising insulation for customers instead.
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| Negative Review of this story |
Mr A. Parker  |
13 Jan 2010, 2:50 PM |
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False Statements I bring your attention to the statement, "Michael Woodhead, Managing Director for E.ON Sustainable Energy, said: “I’m delighted that we’re launching not only the first PFI compliant street light, but also the first low energy street light to be designed, developed and manufactured entirely in the UK." This is a false statement, we were the first because we originally purchased the LED lights from Advanced LED, because of poor quality and alot of major fundermental issues we were forced to develop LED lights ourself to meet contracts undertaken. We were putting in streetlights of high quality before Advance LED as they were still trying to glue on the lenses to the sand casts. I think you need to be very careful with your statements as it could lead to litegation.
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