Belgium is a leader in light pollution, easily identifiable from space

Amazingly, Belgium keeps nearly all of its 2.2 million streetlights on through the night. Even with Belgium in the midst of a low-carbon energy transition, this remains a challenge, if they are determined to keep them lit. Milan Schreuer explains in an article in the New York Times. Belgium’s Lavish Energy Use Sheds Light … Continue reading Belgium is a leader in light pollution, easily identifiable from space →

The light bulb has become an icon of innovation

Tim Harford, often known as the Undercover Economist, has provided a delightful article on the BBC World Service website about the evolution of the cost of providing light for our domestic needs. This is perfect weekend and winter reading. EiD is certain you will enjoy. It also brings some interesting points that will give you … Continue reading The light bulb has become an icon of innovation →

Now that marijuana is increasingly legalised, the need for reducing energy costs becomes a priority

Indoor producers of marijuana have high energy bills because of the need for high-intensity lights. Diane Cardwell has written a good article in the New York Times about the increasing use of LED lights in the US. Where Marijuana Plants Flourish Under Energy-Saving LED Lights “We wanted to be able to offer the best … Continue reading Now that marijuana is increasingly legalised, the need for reducing energy costs becomes a priority →

Beware what glows in the dark

The Internet of Things, activated through apps, promises tremendous convenience to homeowners. But it may also prove irresistible to hackers. John Markoff writes a good article in The New York Times that should give you plenty to think about as we design our sustainable energy policies. Why Light Bulbs May Be the Next Hacker … Continue reading Beware what glows in the dark →

Energy transition in Europe includes removing energy-gobbling halogen spotlights

There have been many important improvements in our lighting systems in recent years. Now, as explained by Arthur Neslen in The Guardian, new European ruling bans any new orders on GU10 spotlights and PAR30 floodlights, which can waste up to 10 times more energy than LEDs Halogen spotlights to be phased out across Europe … Continue reading Energy transition in Europe includes removing energy-gobbling halogen spotlights →

Not everyone is pleased with the switch to energy-efficient lighting

In Europe, the incandescent light bulb has largely been removed from the market, but this is not true everywhere. Christa Marshall writes on the Greenwire website about the reaction to the phase out in the US. There is even research underway to see if the incandescent light bulb can be kept. This is an interesting … Continue reading Not everyone is pleased with the switch to energy-efficient lighting →

Understanding why New Zealanders are reluctant to switch to LED lighting

There is no doubt that in the past couple of decades we have seen many alternatives to the incandescent light bulb. Rob Stock on the Stuff.co.nz website provides an excellent article about the reasons why the uptake in New Zealand is going more slowly than expected. Households slow to switch to energy efficient LED … Continue reading Understanding why New Zealanders are reluctant to switch to LED lighting →

Now we are even phasing out CFLs

The lighting industry is going through an interesting period with great technological developments that are having an important impact on overall consumption. Diane Cardwell writes in the New York Times about the decision by General Electric to stop manufacturing CFLs in favour of LEDs. G.E. to Phase Out CFL Bulbs Just a few years … Continue reading Now we are even phasing out CFLs →

Eureka! Everything you need to know about lightbulbs

Hope you enjoy this great graphic from PartSelect together with Ghergich & Co. The light bulb was only one of Thomas Edison's 1,093 patents, but some would argue that it is the most important. Anyone who has ever experienced a power outage would be inclined to agree! The immediate plunge into darkness makes you realize … Continue reading Eureka! Everything you need to know about lightbulbs →

A new kind of incandescent light bulb could shake up the lighting industry

Certainly nothing is standing still these days. One minute we are banning incandescent bulbs, the next we find scientists finding challenging ways that could allow incandescent bulbs to return. Peter Dockrill explains the recent developments on the Science Alert website. New "light recycling" incandescent bulbs could outperform energy-efficient LEDs The traditional incandescent light bulb … Continue reading A new kind of incandescent light bulb could shake up the lighting industry →