February 2009
LUMENPRIORITY.org announces the launch of its web site and interactive blog to present, discuss, and explore the potential of applying feedback control of LEDs within solid-state lighting systems to stabilize lumen delivery through current regulation to compensate for light loss factors. In the past, lighting calculation has included delivery of greater than desired initial illuminance in order to make room in the applied design for eventual degradation of light from lamp lumen losses, dirt accumulation, lamp outages, and other factors that reduce system output over time. The result is increased energy use and exposure of occupants to variable illumination levels. The proposed lumen priority concept is to apply current control methodology to LED products to produce a set steady-state lumen delivery over the entire life of a luminaire. Losses from lumen depreciation and dirt accumulation are then compensated for by increasing current to the LEDs over time. The result is a substantial decrease in initial energy use, and a significant energy savings over the service life of a product. Additionally, systems designed around this protocol support spot replacement, and additions, as new products will produce an identical pre-set lumen output, regardless of age. LUMENPRIORITY.ORG was created by Kevin L. Willmorth of Lumenique, LLC to communicate the concept to the lighting market in detail, and to open the door to an exchange of ideas on how to best apply this approach. Manufacturers who have the capability to provide this capability today will be provided free exposure on the organization’s site. Those with proprietary technology to support this approach will be provided an opportunity to describe the advantages they offer. Generic engineering solutions will also be described and defined. Designers, specifiers, organizations, and other interested parties are encouraged to participate at no cost.
“We have been trying to put solid-state into the same box as conventional lamps when it comes to predicting lifetime performance. This proves to be particularly problematic with sources anticipated to live over 10 years with little or no maintenance. Standard dirt accumulation factors and lumen loss factors alone make prediction of solid-state product performance over that time more difficult. Further, the loss of energy from delivery of more light than is needed early in any systems life is wasteful and establishes an expectation of light levels that is unintended. There is no reason to protect a steady energy consumption state while sacrificing light quality. By putting the advantages of solid-state to work, modulating energy to deliver a steady state lumen output, the need for guessing what light levels might be down the road is eliminated, allowing designers to fine tune light levels to a level that has never been possible before. This is not a difficult concept to understand, and is applicable at a very modest cost” Said Kevin Willmorth, founder and developer of the web site and blog.
Lumenique, LLC is a lighting consulting firm engaged in providing lighting specifiers, lighting manufacturers, and investors expertise in lighting market profiling, product design, strategic planning, conceptualization, and marketing material development targeted at the lighting market. Lumenpriority.org is a not-for-profit entity focused on the deployment and development of the concept of creating a protocol for solid-state products offering stable lumen output, and for manufacturers to gain exposure for products they offer with this capability.
For more information, contact Kevin Willmorth, Lumenique, LLC, 414-241-5124, kwillmorth@lumenique.com, or visit the web site at: http://www.lumenpriority.org
