Philips and Federal Agencies Shine Light on Energy Savings With First Washington, D.C. Based Gateway Demonstration Project

WASHINGTON, June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A federal government parking deck will have a brighter and more energy-efficient future, thanks to efforts by Philips Lighting and two federal agencies to implement the Department of Energy (DOE) first Washington, D.C.-based GATEWAY demonstration project.  GATEWAY projects evaluate and highlight real-world examples of high-performance LED lighting in order to improve illumination and reduce energy consumption. The DOE, Department of Labor (DOL), and Philips have partnered to install Philips' VizorLED fixture – an innovative parking, lowbay and under canopy lighting solution – in a parking structure below the DOL's Frances Perkins building, an ENERGY STAR® facility located at 200 Constitution Avenue.

Replacing existing 100 watt high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, the VizorLED units have a rated life of nearly seven years, with a potential life of nearly 18 years thanks to its proprietary thermal management(1).  The VizorLED units are also expected to consume half of the energy of the system they replace. Using VizorLED, the total watts of the parking structure's test area decreased by 50 percent, from 2565W with a Lighting Power Density (LPD) of 0.154 (100HPS) to 1292W with a LPD of 0.077.

In addition, the VizorLED units incorporate Proximo occupancy detectors which dim the luminaires when the space is unoccupied for additional energy savings.  Preliminary measurements by DOE have shown an additional 25 percent in energy savings with the use of Proximo for a total reduction in energy usage of 75 percent (please see today's DOE announcement on Federal Efforts to Save Energy with Solid State Lighting.)

"At Philips we enhance life with light by delivering LED solutions like VizorLED that address the demand for energy efficiency and attractive lighting," said John Campsmith, General Manager, Philips Wide-Lite. "We are honored that this inter-agency partnership showcases our innovative solid-state lighting solutions and the significant impact they have on sustainability."

"The DOE-DOL demonstration shows us in very real terms how LED lighting can make a significant impact on not only our federal energy consumption, but also our nation's energy use," stated Roland Risser, Building Technologies Program Manager at DOE. "Federal agencies must lead by example, and DOE will continue to guide government-industry collaborations to implement high-performance LED products in appropriate applications."

Philips' VizorLED luminaire was named "Best in Class" in the 'Next Generation Luminaires' (NGL) competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD). Developed by Philips Wide-Lite and using LEDs from Philips Lumileds, the new VizorLED is raising expectations for what is possible with LED-based solutions. It minimizes glare, improves volumetric lighting uniformity, maximizes efficiency and creates an inviting and comfortable environment for people to park and walk through. The VizorLED luminaires easily work with Proximo, an occupancy detector designed to dim lighting to as low as ten percent when the space is unoccupied, allowing for additional significant energy savings.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of US $32.3 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

About the Department of Energy Solid-State Lighting GATEWAY Demonstration Program

DOE's GATEWAY Demonstration program evaluates and documents state-of-the-art LED general illumination products in real-world installations. Demonstration results provide experience and data on LED product performance and cost-effectiveness. DOE widely shares the results of completed projects, including analysis of data collected, projected energy savings, payback analysis, and user feedback. To learn more, visit www.ssl.energy.gov/gatewaydemos.html.

(1) Based on the Philips Lumileds Rebel B10, L70 curve and a  junction temperature of 65 degrees C at 25 degrees C ambient

SOURCE Royal Philips Electronics