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DOE Shines $37M on High-Efficiency Lighting Projects By SGN Staff Jan 15, 2010 - 2:18:13 PM
It's one of those "duh" moments. High-efficiency solid-state lighting is potentially 10 times more energy-efficient than our old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. The country uses about a quarter of the electricity it generates for lighting. $37 million doesn't seem like a high price tag to kickstart a program to cut our national light bill by a third over the next 20 years.
The Energy Department has selected 17 projects to get a total of $37 million in stimulus money for high-efficiency solid-state lighting (SSL) core research, product development and U.S. manufacturing. The impact could be substantial because lighting accounts for about a quarter of the electricity used in the country.
"The United States must lead in energy efficiency. These solid-state lighting projects will help us significantly cut our energy use, reduce our carbon footprint and save money," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said.
The $37 million from DOE will be boosted with an additional $28.5 million in private industry cost sharing for a total project fund of almost $66 million.
The funding breaks down like this:
· Core Technology Research ($4 million): Three projects will concentrate on improved SSL efficiency and performance and cost reductions.
· Product Development ($10.3 million): Six projects will work toward developing and improving commercially practical SSL sources, components or integrated lighting products.
· SSL Manufacturing ($23.5 million): Eight projects will focus on cost reductions and quality enhancements by upgrading manufacturing equipment and processes or monitoring manufacturing methods.
While this is the sixth round of awards for SSL technology research and product development, it marks the first time DOE has provided money for SSL manufacturing projects.
From the source ...
Related SGN resources ...
· Smart Grid Stimulus awards and projects
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