LRC Evaluates Need for Energy Efficient Lighting Center in Sri Lanka
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The LRC was asked to investigate the potential for the establishment of a Regional Center of Excellence in Energy Efficient Lighting (RCEEL) in Sri Lanka to serve Sri Lanka and seven other South Asian countries. The goal was to outline a framework for the proposed center. Associate Director Russ Leslie and LRC Education Manger Dan Frering visited Sri Lanka in June to meet with stakeholders and gather information.
The project is supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (USAID SARI/Energy) and is designed to develop Centers of Excellence in participating countries that focus on a particular technology, program, and/or implementation mechanism. Sri Lanka has been proposed as the first Center of Excellence, concentrating on energy efficient lighting.
Lighting comprises the highest percentage of peak electric demand in Sri Lanka, at over 35 percent, according to Frering. This is dominated by incandescent sources which make up over 75 percent of the lighting demand. “A Regional Center of Excellence in Energy-Efficient Lighting could significantly reduce lighting energy use, first in Sri Lanka and then regionally across South Asia,” Frering explained.
Research has shown that use of advanced, energy-efficient lighting systems and design strategies can reduce lighting energy use by as much as 80 percent over older, less efficient technologies.
Frering and Leslie met with government officials, lighting manufacturers, distributors, and building and engineering professionals. All support the establishment of a regional center in Sri Lanka to meet the need for current information, product specifications, product evaluations, and application information for energy efficient lighting, according to Leslie.
In addition to stakeholder meetings, roundtable discussions were held to help gather information on the major barriers to the implementation of more efficient lighting in Sri Lanka and potential strategies to help overcome these barriers.
“The barriers identified by the roundtable participants in Sri Lanka were similar to those found in the United States and other parts of the world,” said Leslie. “It is anticipated that many of these barriers can be addressed by an energy-efficient lighting center, working together with other stakeholders from Sri Lanka and the region.”
The LRC will keep its Partners posted as the project progresses. In the meantime, please direct questions to Russ Leslie at leslir@rpi.edu.
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| About the Lighting Research Center The Lighting Research Center (LRC) is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N.Y., and is the leading university-based research center devoted to lighting. The LRC offers the world's premier graduate education in lighting, including one- and two-year master's programs and a Ph.D. program. Since 1988 the LRC has built an international reputation as a reliable source for objective information about lighting technologies, applications, and products. The LRC also provides training programs for government agencies, utilities, contractors, lighting designers, and other lighting professionals. Visit http://www.lrc.rpi.edu. |
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