Sandersen J.
Orion Energy Systems, US
Keywords: electricity, energy efficiency, lighting, renewables
The wholesale changeover of inefficient lighting can have a dramatic and sustainable impact on the nation’s stressed electric grid through permanent distributed load reductions, or PDLR. PDLR requires the deployment of energy-efficient technology at the point of use, thereby permanently reducing the need to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. The technology to achieve this lofty goal is available today in the form of industrial and commercial lighting, wireless controls and direct renewable solar day-lighting systems. When integrated, these technologies can deliver capacity to the electric grid — particularly during peak hours — and permanently reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation. The technology has been proven in more than 5,000 facilities nationwide, including corporate giants Coca-Cola Enterprises, Toyota, Apple, PepsiCo, and Sysco Foods, and has already delivered nearly 477,000 kilowatts to the grid. According to the Energy Information Administration, the replacement of 227 million inefficient fixtures in the U.S. as of 2003 would result in displacing more than 55,000 megawatts of power, or the equivalent of 111 coal-fired power plants. Until other emerging technologies like photovoltaic, wind, biomass, hydropower, etc. become more robust, energy efficiency and PDLR is the bridge to our energy future.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 2010 Clean Technology Conference and Trade Show
Published: June 21, 2010
Pages: 187 - 190
Industry sector: Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Energy Storage
ISBN: 978-1-4398-3419-0