Replacement of Fuel Based Household Lighting with White Light Emitting Diode: Need Based Light to Save Energy Mansingh Abhai1,*, Mansingh Ashok2 1Former Director South Campus, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110 021 2Adviser, Led Project, Knowledge Action And Learning Society (Kal), 405 Ila, B-7, Vasundhra Enclave, Delhi-110096 *E-mail: abhaimansingh@yahoo.com
Online published on 10 August, 2015. Abstract Electrical Energy Saved is Electrical Energy Generated. The electronic lighting devices are moving towards 100 lumen per watt compared to 0.1 lumen per watt for a kerosene lantern. The low power consuming Compact Florescent Light (CFL) could provide light for a few hours using 6V/12V batteries. This generated hope for the replacement of kerosene lantern in places not served by grid electricity. Photovoltaic-solar cells are considered good option to charge 6V/12V batteries. A compact assembly of CFL, battery and photovoltaic battery charger, in the form of a compact Solar Lantern was probably the best solution till about a decade back. The development of White Light Emitting Diode (WLED) during the fag end of 20th century and the rapid increase in its efficacy and decrease in price has changed the scenario. The only lighting device giving focused light with out any heating effect has provided several possibilities. The replacement of CFL in a Solar Lantern by WLED providing isotropic light is not the most efficient and economical use of WLED. The isotropic light is not required in majority of chores in our every day life. Further saving in energy can be made by utilizing the focusing property of WLED to provide need based light. This requires that standard of illumination and the area to be illuminated has to be set. In this article various options of WLED lighting and the advantage of need based lighting are discussed. It is suggested that for penetration of WLED to village households and poor persons hut, WLED lighting assembly (lamps) should be developed as cottage industry in small towns and villages. Solar Cell should be considered as one of the many options for battery charging and the most viable alternative for a particular place should be chosen. In order to develop the culture and awareness of WLED, the initial cost of lamp should be comparable to kerosene lantern, recurring cost comparable to the cost of kerosene. The WLED lamp should be repairable in the village (not use and throw cheap plastic embedded lights). Designs of lamps powered by 3 D type Zinc Carbon disposable Dry Cell (environmentally safe) and re-charge able 6V/12V sealed lead acid batteries are also presented. Top Keywords Developing countries, lighting, design, efficiency. Top |