LED Technology Developer, Once Innovations, Urges Industry Leaders to Diligently Monitor ENERGY STAR Specification Developments
PLYMOUTH, Minn., Nov. 11, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Once Innovations, Inc. (ONCE), a Minnesota based LED technology developer, received a response from the Department of Energy (DOE) to its request for documents detailing how ENERGY STAR® requirements are established for LED lighting. ONCE made the request on January 4, 2010 under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The DOE response was dated September 23, 2010. In particular, ONCE requested information the DOE relied on as a basis for changing the ENERGY STAR criteria for LED Operating Frequency from 120 Hz to 150 Hz in the final draft of its Program Requirements for Integral LED Lamps.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101011/CG79876LOGO)
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101011/CG79876LOGO)
The DOE response failed to produce a single scientific document. It revealed no support for increasing frequency beyond vague speculation based on a comment made by NEMA that "120 Hz might cause possible flickering for some people ... ENERGY STAR would be advised to consult human factor experts to confirm these flicker issues." Not only was there no scientific data, there was no such evidence produced by such human factor experts.
Ultimately, the final draft was amended on March 22, 2011 and the frequency requirement reverted back to 120 Hz. Even so, ONCE contends that decisions made without rational basis are irresponsible and have the potential of dramatically setting back the industry. According to Zdenko Grajcar, CEO of ONCE, "The impact of this change would have been to put an entire class of LED lighting, namely AC LED lighting, at a severe economic disadvantage in the market since many utility rebate programs and government contracts require ENERGY STAR qualification. It is arbitrary and capricious government action for an agency, like the DOE, to make rule changes that have severe economic consequences based on speculation."
Even though the DOE temporarily reverted the operating frequency specification back to 120 Hz after receiving significant industry pushback, they subsequently introduced a maximum 50% light modulation depth specification. Once again, Mr. Grajcar questions whether the DOE has any scientific basis for doing so. "The DOE is not considering the fact that different waveforms are produced by newer AC LED technologies. Again, they need to consult technology experts and review the most up-to-date scientific data before making more decisions that could block out AC LED lighting solutions and perhaps even PWM solutions."
Mr. Grajcar reiterated a comment he made last January where he stated, "We have more in common with ENERGY STAR than we have differences, however, we must, and will, protect our interests from this type of rulemaking. Hundreds of companies like ours have invested heavily in the development of LED lighting technologies that create jobs, stimulate the economy, and make energy-saving products available to consumers at reasonable prices. Slowing that progress based on unfounded data and speculation is detrimental to the goals we commonly share with the DOE."
Chief Legal Officer for ONCE, Craige Thompson, urged other industry leaders to diligently follow the evolution of DOE specification changes, stating, "We sincerely hope that ENERGY STAR requirements for LED lighting evolve in a fair, open manner. As a matter of agency policy, we urge the DOE to make ENERGY STAR specification changes only when warranted by facts based on sound scientific evidence."
Once Innovations (ONCE) is a privately held LED technology development company that makes part of its IP portfolio accessible to companies under licensing agreements while manufacturing highly differentiated LED lighting using a visionary approach to research and product development – from design through final production and distribution. ONCE was founded in 2008 by current CEO, Zdenko Grajcar, who is considered a pioneering rebel in LED technology for his remarkably unconventional thinking and relentless challenge to the industry status quo. The ONCE technology research, marketing, and product development campus is located in Plymouth, MN United States of America.
SOURCE Once Innovations, Inc.
Share this article