A Brighter, More Efficient Future
By Shellie Nazarenus
Irvine, Calif., June 11, 2009 -- In 2012, Australia will become the first country to have eliminated the use of incandescent light bulbs. Five years from now, the United States plans to be mostly incandescent-free.
So what new technologies will be illuminating our future?
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The California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) thinks light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will play a big part. Established in 2003 at the University of California, Davis, the center’s mission is to stimulate, facilitate and accelerate the development and application of energy efficient lighting and daylighting technologies. CLTC emerged from a collaborative effort between the California Energy Commission, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Michael Siminovitch, CLTC director, visited Calit2@UCI last week to share information about the center and its many projects.
“We have anywhere between thirty and forty projects going each year,” Siminovitch told a group of Calit2-affiliated energy researchers.
Housed in a dedicated 7,000 square foot facility on the Davis campus, the CLTC facility includes full-scale lighting and daylighting application laboratories for the development and demonstration of novel technologies.
In addition to research and development, Siminovitch explained that his center also does extensive teaching and training activities including an undergraduate and graduate program, as well as outreach sessions for industry trade groups and architectural firms.
He encouraged researchers to think about working energy efficiency and sustainability standards into their teaching and projects, adding “getting students involved in your efforts will build a strong base of trained and knowledgeable next-generation green workforce.”