LED technology in Punjab to tackle energy demands
Using of LED lighting invarious sectors may help in saving electricity and make lighting efficient and cost effective
The LED technology in Punjab has been introduced to improve the demand side efficiency for lighting purposes. Implemented with help of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, it has been planned to be registered as a carbon credit project under CDM of Kyoto Protocol. It acts as a successor to the ‘Bachat Lamp Yojna’ already thriving in the state using CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights). The lighting by domestic consumers is a major component of the peak load of Punjab. Jaspal Singh, an official of Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) says, “The total supply of power in the state is of 6000 MW against a demand of 9000 MW. The deficit is of 33%. Many thermal power plants are already being established by the Government for covering the deficit. Along with this, energy saving schemes like 'Bachat Lamp Yojna' is on the move. CFLs are being used widely by the households for saving energy. Switching next to LEDs will cater to more efficiency in lighting and more savings for the buyer.”
Demand of electricity from the rural sector is expected to rise in 2010 with waiver of farm loans, agricultural income, and access to electricity for more villages under the government’s rural electrification programme, says Jaspal.
LED is sought to be an efficient and cost effective technology for lighting purposes. It is slowly penetrating the lighting industry for large scale lighting in Punjab and other states of India. It will help in reducing consumer’s electricity bill and save a considerable amount of energy.
“It has many advantages over other lighting sources. The energy savings are about 50-80%. It has a life span between 20,000 to 80,000 burning hours as compared to CFL’s of 10,000 hours and the incandescent bulbs of 1500 hrs. LED can work on battery as well as on solar energy economically and more effectively. LED lights have reached an efficacy of 120 lumen/watt, the average ones providing a minimum of 80-90 lumen/watt. In comparison, incandescent lamps produce only 12-15 lumen/watt and CFLs 50 lumen/watt. The kilo watts of electricity used by LEDs is only 329kwh/yr whereas incandescent and CFLs use 3285kwh/yr and 767kwh/yr respectively.” says Shyam Sujan, Secretary General, ELCOMA India.
Fluorescent and CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury. When the lamp is hot, most of the mercury is in a gaseous or vapor form. It is considered fatal for human health. In comparison, LED bulbs do not contain Lead or Mercury or any toxic gases and therefore are environment friendly. Heat generation is low in contrast to incandescent bulbs. It tends to dim with time but doesn’t burn out like incandescent or fluorescent, adds Shyam Sujan.
The most important initiative of the Punjab government has been to bring in awareness in energy conservation among the users of different sectors. This has already resulted in a good foray of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) into households and commercial lighting areas.
BEE, Ministry of Power has also decided upon to provide Solar LED lanterns for un-electrified rural areas besides providing solar streetlights. LED Street lighting will ensure long term service because it is almost maintenance free and does not require replacement for at least 50,000 hours or above.
At present LED is an expensive lighting source. But now the challenge is to bring down the price of LED lighting to make it affordable for the general public. It is recyclable, but that area needs more research to be done.
According to BEE, LED lighting will be undertaken as a carbon credit project by issuing CERs (Carbon Emission Reductions) to the private players engaged. The investor can sell the carbon credits in the international market where buyers such as manufacturers and power producers will buy the certificates to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. LEDs will save more power and generate a substantially higher number of carbon credits.
The project will follow the CDM structure under UNFCCC guidelines and the programme of activities (PoA) designed by BEE in India. PSEB reserves the right to choose the LED manufacturer or trader. The CERs will be shared between the participants of the project and PSEB.
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