Energy prices are rising, mineral resources are becoming increasingly scarce. There is no alternative to making intelligent use of energy. Politicians are also calling for massive cuts in consumption. Lighting plays an important role here. It accounts for nearly 20 percent of global electricity consumption and 14 percent of power consumption in Europe.

Innovative lighting technology can provide fast and effective help for efforts to meet the Kyoto targets: it saves costs, eases the pressure on the environment and raises the quality of lighting for users.

High saving potential

An example: the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI) has worked out that if local government, industry and private households in Germany alone were to switch over entirely to energy-efficient lighting, carbon emissions could be reduced by as much as 13 million metric tons – with commensurate cost savings for users.

What the ZVEI researchers also found, however, is that more than a third of road and street lighting is still provided by old inefficient technology dating from the 1960s – and as much as 75 percent of office lighting is in need of refurbishment. 

Efficient way to achieve climate targets

Efficient lighting is a great opportunity to make fast and easy progress towards climate targets. It offers triple benefits:

• easing of pressure on the environment due to significantly lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions
• considerable reduction of annual energy costs
• better quality of lighting for users. 

An "intelligent lighting system" is distinguished by the fact that every component plays a role in enhancing lighting quality and boosting the energy efficiency of the installation. High saving potentials are opened by:

• long-life lamps,
• efficient luminaires,
• low-consumption operating devices,
• and modern lighting management.
  
  

Every switch to energy-efficient components saves energy and money. But the greatest savings and convenience are achieved by utilising daylight.