Newsroom

Zumtobel US announced the launch of their new LED website. The new site, http://www.zumtobel-led.com/, explains their approach to, and philosophy on, LED technology; introduces the Zumtobel developed and manufactured GENIUS^TM, ATM^TM, and SMOOTH^TM technologies; and provides information on new LED products.

With the passage of the ARRA, more than $11 billion is allocated to create a bigger, better, smarter electric grid. The investment will allow for the use of more renewable energy, increased use of efficiency technologies and a reduction in electric congestion. As a result, each U.S. utility has an opportunity to leverage public funds.  While executives sort out ARRA implications, they tackle industry issues and economic volatility: energy inefficiencies and costs, regulatory requirements and aging infrastructures.  Because technology is seen as a critical enabler for implementing the economic stimulus plan, with some $100 billion in funding to be spent incrementally during the next five years, it can help utilities see, think and act more clearly to develop and execute the necessary strategies. http://www.elp.com/

In conjunction with the DOE’s launch of its Save Energy Now Leader program, which is  designed to provide technical assistance and resources to companies that pledge significant improvements in industrial energy efficiency. 

The companies signing the pledge include:  http://www.energy.gov/news2009/8328.htm

• 3M (St. Paul, MN)
• AT&T (Dallas, TX)
• BPM Inc. (Peshtigo, WI)
• Bridgestone (McMinnville, TN)
• Briggs and Stratton (Wauwatosa, WI)
• Cummins Inc. (Columbus, IN)
• Danfoss (Baltimore, MD)
• Didion Milling (Johnson Creek, WI)
• The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI)
• Flambeau River Papers (Park Falls, WI)
• Honeywell (Morristown, NJ)
• Ingersoll Rand/Trane (Piscataway, NJ)
• Intel (Santa Clara, CA)
• JR Simplot (Boise, ID)
• Manitowoc Grey Iron Foundry (Manitowoc, WI)
• Mohawk Industries (Dalton, GA)
• Neenah Foundry (Neenah, WI)
• Nissan North America (Smyrna, TN)
• Osram Sylvania (Danvers, MA)
• Owens Corning (Toledo, OH)
• PPG Industries (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Quad/Graphics Inc. (Sussex, WI)
• Schneider Electric (Palatine, IL)
• Serious Materials (Sunnyvale, CA)
• Shaw Industries (Dalton, GA)
• Sherwin-Williams, Richmond (Richmond, KY)
• Spirax Sarco Inc. (Blythewood, SC)
• Thilmany Papers (Kaukauna, WI)
• ThyssenKrupp Waupaca (Waupaca, WI)
• United Technologies Corp. (Hartford, CT)
• Verso Paper (Memphis, TN)
• Volvo Trucks Inc. (Dublin, VA)

Many energy efficiency programs have been promoting CFLs to reduce energy use. Rebates and discounts by major retail outlets have dramatically increased shipments of CFLs in the US — from 5% of the total lamps bought in 2004 to 23% in 2007. The US EPA estimates that Energy Star CFL sales for 2007 were nearly double those in 2006. However, gains in efficient lighting have been fragile in the US. Sales of CFLs have dropped in the current recession to 21% of total US consumer light-bulb sales in 2008 from 23% in 2007, according to the US DOE chart.  There are many possible reasons for this decline in the market share of CFLs. New users have not been added to the market as disposable incomes have declined and customers are sensitive to higher prices. Early adopters bought the long-lasting CFLs and the rest of the market has not followed suit. Color quality issues of CFL persist and cannot be overcome with incentives. Fear of mercury in CFLs has not been adequately addressed.  In spite of heavy investment in promoting CFLs, incandescent technology has proved difficult to unseat, especially in the residential segment. The LED lighting industry has continued to grow in spite of the economic downturn.  http://www.ledsmagazine.com/features/6/12/3

Demand for photovoltaic (PV) projects in the United States is rapidly expanding as a result of falling system prices, stimulus funding and new regulatory incentives, according to a new report from Greentech Media (GTM) Research, Cambridge, Mass. As the recession retreats, the United States is poised to become the largest global demand center for PV, says the report “The United States PV Market: Project Economics, Policy, Demand, and Strategy Through 2013.”  12/11 EC&M

 http://www.gtmresearch.com/report/the-united-states-pv-market-project-economics-policy-demand-and-strategy