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October 21st, 2011
Spotlight on one of Cree’s R&D Engineers
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.
How does a wannabe-law student end up designing LED lighting products? For Elizabeth Rodgers, Cree’s newest R&D optical engineer, it started with an impulse decision to take a physics optics lab, which prompted an interest in lighting. A smart college professor pointed her in the direction of University of Colorado Boulder’s Buildings Systems Program, which provided Elizabeth with a degree in architectural engineering, specializing in lighting and electrical design.
Sidenote: CU-Boulder offers the largest undergraduate educational program in lighting and illumination engineering in the country, preparing about 20 students per year for careers in the lighting industry.
“I never really thought much about LEDs, or lighting in general, until I went to school for it,” explains Elizabeth. “Once I started studying lighting, I realized the extraordinary amount of energy wasted by traditional technologies like incandescent bulbs…and I knew that I wanted to be involved in using a technology like LEDs that delivers better quality light while saving energy.”
So what does an R&D optical engineer do? Pretty much everything, according to Elizabeth.
Typical responsibilities including designing optical products and systems, conducting computer-based engineering analysis on new products that are in development and working daily with various Cree teams on current projects and future prototypes. Elizabeth participates heavily in design reviews and product meetings, working to improve the overall optical design process.
“No day is the same, which is awesome, since I enjoy variety,” said Elizabeth. “My job is really challenging and that’s one of the things I love about it – it’s so different. Working in the SSL industry is very exciting because we, both Cree and the industry as a whole, are advancing so quickly in terms of the products we are putting out and the technology we’re working on. It’s incredibly gratifying to be a part of a company that has the ability to help shape how the lighting of the future is going to look.”
Elizabeth is one of the newest members of Cree’s team of innovators, pioneers and dreamers, all working to rid the world of antiquated, inefficient lighting. If you’re thinking about a career the sustainable energy movement, make sure to check out @CreeCareers all the latest and greatest jobs working with Cree LEDs.
October 20th, 2011
Energy-Saving Surprises at Gas Stations
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy. Today’s guest post comes from Chris Ruud, president of Ruud Lighting, Inc., a Cree company.
There has been and will continue to be major growth in consumer interest in green cars – hybrids, clean diesel, plug-in hybrids and pure electric – according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 US Green Automotive Study. That same study also shows that 10 percent of sales by 2016 will come from vehicles with these fuel-efficient technologies.
This is great news. However, that four-fold increase in sales numbers compared to 2010 numbers still means that there will be millions upon millions of traditional, combustion engines cars out on the roads that need petrol (gas, diesel) fuel.
A great many of us will probably be counted among the millions that haven’t made the switch to hybrid or electric vehicles, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t doing our part to conserve energy. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably installed or considered installing LED lighting (one of the most energy efficient lighting sources on the market) and you have probably adopted at least one of the countless other energy savings initiatives recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The same holds true for petroleum stations. Yes, gas stations may represent energy consumption in your mind, but station owners all across the country already have and are continuing to take steps to help the environment. This market was an early adopter of LED lighting as a standard and it is truly transforming the industry. While still serving a need for energy consumption, station owners are realizing that they can achieve significant energy cost savings by retrofitting the lighting with energy-efficient BetaLED luminaires and other Cree LED lighting products.
BetaLED lights illuminate this gas station in Farmington, CA.
With a reduction in energy consumption in island canopy lighting reaching an astounding 80 percent at some installations and a payback realized in just three years, station owners are taking the lead in creating a sustainable future in this market. And with more than 150,000 gas stations around the country, the opportunity is there for some serious energy savings.
Energy savings isn’t the only reason for the installations and retrofits. Imagine it is late at night, you are low on fuel and need to fill up. Ahead, you see signs for a few filling stations. Which one would you choose?
33 THE EDGE canopy fixtures from BetaLED were installed at this gas station in Plano, Texas, helping reduce energy costs from lighting by 31 percent.
If you’re anything like me, I’m choosing the one that looks like the one on the right – the one that is well lit. Thanks to BetaLED and Cree, this station and others across the country have sustainable illumination that creates a safe and inviting atmosphere.
October 19th, 2011
Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda Shines with Cree LED Lighting
We realize for some of you, it’s not every day that you take in the glorious sight of your state’s Capitol Building. Let’s face it – unless you’re a politico or on a student field trip, you’re not going to be frequenting that building.
But these historic buildings are often the heart of where important state decisions are made. So while we’re talking energy-efficient LED lighting, we thought we’d take you on a virtual tour of the Kentucky State Capitol Building – it’s Rotunda to be specific.
Back in 2009, David Buchta, director and state curator, and his team set out on a major renovation project to update the energy systems of the Rotunda as part of an overall restoration.
“At one time there were nearly 900 incandescent bulbs in the Rotunda,” said David. “Later it reduced to around 300, but there were a lot of burnouts and many were too difficult to replace. Our focus was to bring the lighting back but use far fewer fixtures. ”
Working with lighting consultant One Source Lighting, David installed nearly 45 Cree LED lights to help illuminate what he believes is the only state Capitol Rotunda to be 100 percent lit by LEDs. In fact, 24 Cree LR6 downlights replaced the mass of 60-watt incandescent bulbs around the oculus of the rotunda (or that circular stained glass window pictured below) which hadn’t worked since the 1980s! That’s even before Cree was founded…which was nearly 25 years ago, in case you were wondering.
“One of the best parts is that the LEDs look very close to incandescent bulbs replaced,” said David.
In addition to the LR6 downlights, four LR24 LED troffers light up the stained glass of the oculus and 16 LRP-38 spotlights highlight the newly painted murals in the Rotunda.
As a result of installing LEDs, David said the lights are on 24/7 and he hasn’t had to change a single bulb since the restoration project was completed in January 2010. Let us say that again…not ONE single bulb in nearly two years.
It isn’t surprising, either, that the contractor for the overall renovation, Midwest Maintenance and Restoration of Piqua, Ohio, was awarded the 2010 Award of Excellence from the Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Construction Awards for the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda restoration project.
“After the success of this project, my preference is that eventually all Capitol lighting is upgraded to LEDs,” David said.
David, we couldn’t agree more!
To see others that have made the switch to LED lighting, check out our Revolutionaries.
October 18th, 2011
Making solar panels more efficient with Silicon Carbide Schottky Diodes
We’ve all been told to be more aware of our exposure to the sun…that the sun’s rays are damaging. So it’s weird, sort of, when you consider that for centuries, countless civilizations have looked to the sun as a symbol of power and strength.
We get a little excited about a renewed fascination with the sun because we see opportunity. Opportunity to harness the sun’s strength to power our electronics. And because solar panels themselves are pretty complex feats of engineering, that’s where we come in.
As solar panels become more and more commonplace, the design considerations for converting light into electricity must focus on increasing energy efficiency. At Cree, we like to think that we’ve become the “ray of solar power efficiency” through our development of the silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes that increase the conversion efficiency of solar energy.
Yes, we’re getting super technical, but this is actually pretty “hot” stuff.
First, let’s go through the basics: Solar panels are designed to absorb the sun’s energy and convert it to a positive DC voltage, which varies with the intensity of the sun’s rays to which the panels are exposed. That voltage is raised (or “boosted”) to a fixed DC voltage by means of a boost converter circuit either at the solar panel itself, or in the first phase of the power inverter, which takes the fixed DC voltage from the panel and converts it to a usable AC voltage at a fixed frequency. Conventional silicon Schottky diodes, when used for both the boost phase and in the inverter circuitry, typically contribute to an overall inverter efficiency of around 96 percent, due to a phenomenon known as switching loss (i.e., the circuit “wastes” about 4 percent of the energy produced by the solar panel in converting it to AC power).
Now that you’ve got that down…let us reiterate, conventional silicon diodes are 96 percent efficient. That’s pretty good, but…
If you use Cree’s SiC Schottky diodes, the inverter circuit operates at significantly higher frequencies, and virtually eliminates these diode switching losses, which has the effect of dramatically improving the overall inverter’s energy efficiency. This more efficient design enables more of the energy from the solar panels to get converted to usable electricity. With Cree SiC devices, the inverter’s average efficiency can be boosted by 2 percent, representing a 25 percent reduction in inverter losses. And when you’re making usable energy—every percent increase in efficiency counts.
So now you know enough be a little dangerous about solar panels and Schottky diodes. But don’t forget your sunscreen because while more sunlight makes a happy solar panel, it can also make for miserable sunburn.
October 17th, 2011
Get il-LUMEN-ated with Lighting Facts: Knowing the Difference Between Lumens and Watts
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.
To help you become more energy aware, we’re going to drop some knowledge on you with what’s coming up in the wild and crazy world of lighting. As we’ve shared with you before here and here, beginning in 2012, you are going to start seeing new packaging and labeling on all household bulbs. The idea is that this information will help you save money by selecting the most efficient bulbs that fit all of your lighting needs.
Check this out…
Does that help? If not, maybe this breaks it down a little better…
Still confused? The National Association of Electrical Manufacturers (NEMA) also did an awesome job of explaining it in their The 5 Ls of Lighting – The Consumer’s Guide to Choosing Energy-Efficient Lighting.
Basically, forget everything you thought about when buying lighting products. Yup, everything. Erase it from your memory. You used to buy on watts, which measures the amount of energy required to illuminate lighting products. But with more energy-efficient lighting available, like Cree’s EcoSmart LED Downlight, you need to buy your lighting based on lumens, which measures the amount of light produced.
The more lumens, the brighter the light. For example:
- 40-watt incandescent bulb = 450 lumens
- 60-watt incandescent bulb = 800 lumens
- 100-watt incandescent bulb = 1600 lumens
“Nutrition” Labels
Similar to the nutrition labels that you find on your food packaging, the new labels that will be coming in 2012 will have concise information about the bulb’s output and savings.
Cree labels include:
- Brightness (in lumens)
- Estimated Yearly Energy Cost
- Life-expectancy of the bulb
- Light appearance and
- Energy used
What Cree labels won’t include – Contains Mercury. That’s right, those other energy-efficient bulbs, you know the ones, the twisty-twirly CFLs contain mercury and will have to disclose that on their labels.
So now that you’ve been educated and you know how to shop, go out and get your Cree LED Lighting!
October 13th, 2011
Cree’s Silicon Carbide MOSFETs help improve efficiency of electronics
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.
At Cree, we’re all about energy awareness and energy efficiency – from our LED components and fixtures to our power components. (Come on, haven’t you ever wondered how your iPod works? Or how electric vehicles drive with little to no gas?) That’s right, we take energy efficiency so seriously we even evaluate electrical processes – the micro level of electronics, if you will.
So what does this mean? It means our engineers continue to find ways to not only make LED lighting more energy-efficient, but also the power applications we rarely ever think about with products such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes and MOSFETs. No, a MOSFET isn’t a new type of spaces ship—it’s a metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor.
Cree has been a recognized leader in SiC power devices for more than 20 years. In fact, we announced earlier this year the industry’s first commercially available SiC MOSFET. This is a revolutionary breakthrough in power electronics and paves the way for significant energy conservation. Just imagine reducing the weight of an electrical vehicle or an airplane by 25 percent! That reduction in weight might get you all the way to the North Pole (depending on your current location, of course) without having to recharge. Like a hummingbird -this is accomplished by the much higher switching frequency possible with SiC technology.
But for non-power geeks, let’s think of it this way.
You’re ready for your morning training run or gym session – but not without some rockin’ tunes. You turn your iPod on and your music starts playing through your headphones – let the workout commence.
Flickr photo by NOGG3R5
But let’s pause for a second. What really happened between that moment you pressed play and the music coming to your ears? No, it wasn’t magic (although we certainly like to think so!). Deep inside that iPod is a transistor that converts the data from the song into sound, creating those sweet tunes you’re enjoying. There’s also the loss of power during this process, that’s why you’ll need to charge your iPod after your workout.
Seems pretty simple, right? Cree’s SiC MOSFETs operate in a similar manner, but on a much more complex scale for use in industrial high-power applications. We’ll leave it the power engineers to take it from there.
As Cree continues to develop SiC MOSFET devices, who knows what big steps we’ll take next. One thing that is for sure, we will never stop in our quest to drive energy-efficiency.
October 12th, 2011
The Power to Do More: Cree Silicon Carbide-based Diodes Improve Efficiency of Power Systems
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.Today’s guest blog post is by Cree’s Chief Technology Officer, Power & RF, and Cree Co-founder, John Palmour, Ph.D.
As Energy Awareness Month rolls along and we continue to highlight energy-saving practices, it’s important to acknowledge the energy-wasting entities at work in the world around us.
That’s right – we’re talking about the little-considered systems that run modern life – from traffic control systems and cars to data centers and server farms.
As we go about our daily lives, these hogs are powering our trips to the grocery store, backing up our computer systems, running the Internet and demanding an extraordinarily high amount of energy.
Even though they are essential to keeping businesses and traffic moving (no pun intended!), we can put these energy-wasting electronics in their place with our semiconductor devices. I know…you don’t even think about server farms on a daily basis and now I’m going to take you deep inside one. But stick with me. One of the critical elements to any electronic device is the power system. After all, no juice, no processing. But power systems can actually be pretty inefficient—requiring more energy to produce less ouput. And what is the byproduct of inefficiency? Heat. And what can heat do? Kill electronics and run up A/C bills. Still with me?
Simply put, using silicon carbide-based (SiC) diodes in power supplies and electric motors can make them more efficient and can simplify the design (and can make them cheaper). And these savings can pay dividends not just in less power consumption for the device, but less power needed to cool down a data center itself! Greater efficiencies mean fewer fossil fuels are consumed and that can reduce the amount of pollution in our environment.
In fact, we’ve done the math and SiC power devices have negated the need for eight coal-fired power plants worldwide already. Wow! That means nearly 10 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) is not being dumped into the atmosphere every year because of our technology.
Flickr photo by roy.luck
If tons of CO2 are not your bag, then it is also the equivalent of taking about 1.7 million automobiles off of the world’s roads.
And this is just the beginning!
SiC diodes are only utilized in 3.3 percent of these energy-sucking applications. With Cree SiC diodes, we can revolutionize the smart grid, saving up to 8 percent of all electricity transmitted and enhancing electric plug-in and hybrid vehicles to further reduce greenhouse gases as well as our dependence on foreign oil.
When fully deployed, we anticipate not ever needing an additional 235 coal-fired power plants!
Needless to say, there’s much more to be done in the fight for energy efficiency and awareness, but we have the power to transform our current consumption. With innovative power products, we CAN do more to drive energy efficiency forward.
October 7th, 2011
Fist Pump! Rebate Gives New Jersey Residents Opportunity to Buy EcoSmart LED Downlight for $24.97
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.
We’re hitting you all month with Energy Awareness messaging – sharing a lot of information that is definitely worthy of a “fist pump.”
Take what is happening in New Jersey. Through New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program™ (NJCEP), established through New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Office of Clean Energy, New Jersey residents can visit any of the state’s 67 Home Depot stores and pick up some new LED lighting, specifically the EcoSmart 6” LED downlight for a mere $24.97.
As LED lighting savants, we aren’t surprised that you are on the cutting edge of “energy awareness.” But did you know that progressive states are too? In April 2006, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved regulations expanding the State’s renewable portfolio standard, requiring utilities to generate 22.5 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. That’s pretty cool.
For the 19th most populous state, where residential electricity consumption is the 8th highest in the country, driving down energy usage is critical. And fear not, New Jersey is equal to the challenge and leading the nation with energy awareness and energy conservation programs. You may also have heard that energy costs in the Northeast United States are some of the highest in the country—so the benefits of long-lasting LED lighting to consumers and businesses can put more cold hard cash in everyone’s pockets.
For those of you not in New Jersey, there are countless other savings opportunities. We already talked about a few of them earlier this week. So now it’s easier for many of us to jump on the band wagon and be the revolutionaries that our lighting environment so desperately needs.
October 6th, 2011
LIPA brings LED lighting rebates to Lucky Long Island residents
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.
LIPA, the Long Island Power Authority, has been at the forefront of energy-efficiency for years. This forward-thinking, progressive utility, based in Uniondale, N.Y., has long promoted LED lighting technologies to customers and businesses in its service territory. A non-profit municipal electric provider, LIPA provides electric service to more than 1.1.million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, and it is the third largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of customers served.
LIPA currently offers a wide variety of incentives on ENERGY STAR® and DesignLights Consortium (DLC) qualified LED replacement bulbs and fixtures, through its Efficiency Long Island Program. Efficiency Long Island is a 10-year, customer-funded energy efficiency program started in January 2009. The program offers a wide array of rebates and initiatives to its customers for energy efficient products and /or projects.
After all, the only thing better than an LED lamp or fixture is a less expensive LED lamp or fixture! And, what’s good for customers (reduced energy usage and reduced costs) is good for LIPA (potentially preventing the need to build more power plants).
Through the Efficiency Long Island program, LIPA is aiming for a peak electrical demand reduction of more than 500 Megawatts by 2018. For non-power-plant experts, that is the equivalent of deferring or eliminating one large or two medium-sized power plants on Long Island.
According to LIPA, “The Efficiency Long Island program is the most cost-effective resource option currently available to our customers. It is estimated that implementation of Efficiency Long Island will reduce CO2 emissions by about 12 million metric tons compared to the CO2 emissions that would be produced from new power plants burning natural gas. This is equivalent to removing 2.5 million cars from Long Island roads.”
A number of big retailers, including The Home Depot and Costco, as well as smaller area stores participate in LIPA’s LED Lighting program, providing discounts on popular lights used in commercial applications, including downlights and directional lights, like PAR-38 bulbs. LIPA also has an online store where residential customers can easily purchase lighting from leading LED manufacturers. A LIPA resident can purchase Cree’s best-selling CR6 downlight at a discount of more than 50 percent off typical retail price. Talk about incentive to change!
So we at Cree tip our hat to LIPA. It’s great to have progressive utilities as LED Revolutionaries with us. Onward!
October 5th, 2011
Energy Awareness Month 2011: ComEd Offers Illinois Customers Major Rebates on Cree LED Lighting
Cree is celebrating Energy Awareness Month with a series of blog posts about ways Cree and our products are helping save energy.
When you hear the phrase “LED Lighting,” what comes to mind? If you’re like many, you probably think, “expensive.” And that’s okay – just know we’re doing everything we can to change that.
But some utility providers are offering rebates that make Cree LED lighting even easier on the pocketbook.
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd), which serves more than 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or a whopping 70 percent of the state’s population, recently introduced major rebates on a host of Cree LED lighting products in an effort to help businesses and customers benefit from reduced energy costs.
ComEd is offering rebates on Cree’s ENERGY STAR-qualified LR6 and CR6 six-inch LED downlights and the LBR-30 and LRP-38 directional spotlights. These rebates are part of the Smart Ideas for Your Business® Program, developed to help bring cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements to commercial and industrial customers. Each of these Cree LED lighting fixtures are designed to last 50,000 hours, and provide the high-quality light needed for conference rooms, office spaces and other common areas, while delivering higher efficacy than incandescent or compact fluorescent (CFL) lighting options.
Commercial and industrial customers can now receive a $15 rebate on Cree’s downlights and a $10 rebate on Cree LED spotlights! Considering the long-term, low-maintenance qualities of these LED lighting products, ComEd is offering its customers one heck of a deal!
Meanwhile, lighting-savvy homeowners can also save on high-quality LED lighting. If you truck on down to your local Home Depot store in ComEd territory, you’ll find the EcoSmart 6” LED downlight marked down to $29.97—thanks to ComEd’s incentive program.
So with more than just a golf clap, we applaud ComEd for its outstanding leadership in LED lighting rebates and hope it encourages more utilities to join the LED lighting revolution!
Want to find out more about utility rebates in your area? We have more information here.
