{"id":2567,"date":"2012-01-12T14:30:36","date_gmt":"2012-01-12T14:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rtcc.org\/?p=2567"},"modified":"2012-02-13T15:14:04","modified_gmt":"2012-02-13T15:14:04","slug":"led-lighting-could-replace-88-billion-litres-of-kerosene-a-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.climatechangenews.com\/2012\/01\/12\/led-lighting-could-replace-88-billion-litres-of-kerosene-a-year\/","title":{"rendered":"LED lighting could replace 88 billion litres of kerosene a year"},"content":{"rendered":"

By John Parnell<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Two thirds of the rural population in developing countries are without electricity. This leaves limited options for lighting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Many turn to kerosene or paraffin oil. It is estimated that 88 billion litres of kerosene are burned purely for light. One litre of kerosene is estimated<\/a> to produce 3kg CO2 when burnt.<\/p>\n

Research has shown that basic oil lamps typically produce just 1% of the light of a 100W light bulb.<\/p>\n

As well as being more efficient, electricital lighting also removes the health risks associated with burning kerosene in a poorly ventilated space.<\/p>\n

In the past, small solar panels could not generate sufficient power for incandescent and sodium-based bulbs. As the cost of LED lighting has dropped, this has become irrelevant.<\/p>\n

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Philips Lighting LEDs have been installed in the streets of Guiyang community in China<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe are at a tipping point in the LED revolution,\u201d Harry Verhaar, senior director energy & climate change and head of strategic sustainability initiatives at Philips Lighting<\/a> told RTCC.<\/p>\n

\u201cA global switch to energy efficient lighting can contribute a lot towards tackling climate change and saving money for families, governments and business.<\/p>\n

\u201cLighting is very much at the base of development as it was in Europe and the US four or five generations ago,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The company is also working with The Climate Group and One Foundation to install solar driven LED street lighting<\/a> in Guiyang, China.<\/p>\n

Verhaar says that solar LED lighting is not just about replacing kerosene in rural communities, but can also have social and environmental benefits in urban areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey can leapfrog to new technologies instead of spending on putting copper networks in the ground [for traditional lighting],\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

The Guiyang scheme has been chosen by the UNFCCC as a case study for its Momentum for Change<\/a> program.<\/p>\n

Part of the wider Solar LED Lighting 1000 Villages Programme<\/em>\u2212 an initiative launched by The Climate Group and the One Foundation – its mission is to test policy measures and financial mechanisms in rural areas.\u00a0 The five year project commenced in August 2009.<\/p>\n

Verhaar also says that the brighter light of LEDs has been shown to improve traffic flows, reduce crime and leaves residents feeling safer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe initial investment is obviously higher but when you look at the performance throughout its lifespan, the technology is already cost effective.\u201d<\/p>\n

Philips helps interested parties get around the problem of the initial costs by offering tailored finance packages.<\/p>\n

Loans are issued to pay for the initial cost with repayments based on the predicted energy savings. This means the buyer is never out of pocket.<\/p>\n

So far the scheme has been a qualified success. There are currently 400 demonstration villages in China with another 600 projects planned for villages in China, India and Africa.<\/p>\n

Feedback<\/a> from villagers in the Guiyang project indicated they were especially happy the lights are offering protection against the area’s two main threats: thieves and snakes.<\/p>\n

Other Momentum for Change week articles:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n