Overcoming Market Barriers
PNNL Success Story
For the first time in 2007, the Lighting for Tomorrow competition included solid-state lighting fixtures. The winner was a recessed down light, which fits in standard recessed housings. It exceeds the efficacy of even the most efficient fluorescent systems. More info... http://www.lightingfortomorrow.com/.
Many technologies that can make a significant difference in building energy use already exist or are close to commercialization, but are underutilized. PNNL's technology and market experts interact extensively with stakeholders – including building owners, technology purchasing agents, equipment manufacturers, utilities, energy-efficiency organizations, and government agencies – to develop collaborative projects that foster the introduction and deployment of advanced technologies. PNNL uses several innovative techniques including:
- Forming groups of buyers and approaching manufacturers willing to develop advanced technologies with the assurance of an adequate market
- Helping organize design competitions such as Lighting for Tomorrow, a competition that increases the market presence of attractive, energy-efficient lighting fixtures
- Developing pre-packaged combinations of technologies that are easily implemented in the field, such as the innovative, high-efficiency lighting solutions developed under the DOE Commercial Lighting Initiative
- Working with utility programs to qualify technology solutions for energy efficiency incentive and rebate programs
- Conducting technology demonstrations and field performance evaluations for new technology, such as PNNL's support to the Technology Validation Program for the U.S. Navy
- Supporting the development of voluntary product guidelines, such as DOE's ENERGY STAR® specifications for solid state lighting products
- Testing products to ensure they meet manufacturers' claims and conducting independent assessments of technology cost and performance, e.g., supporting DOE's CALiPER testing program for solid state lighting
- Documenting best practices – for example, results (varying by climate zone) of DOE's Building America program – a residential energy efficiency demonstration effort.