Raleigh, N.C., "City of Oaks", announced an initiative to save money and protect the environment. Mayor Charles Meeker and Cree, Inc. CEO and Chairman Chuck Swoboda announced a partnership to analyze the cost savings potential and capabilities of using light emitting diode (LED) technology for the multiple lighting needs of the City. Initiative will serve as a model for other cities that are considering implementing energy-efficient infrastructures.
Cree is a market and technology leader in LED chips, power LEDs, LED backlighting solutions, power switching and wireless communications devices. The company is a Triangle-based innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors and devices that enhance the value of solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance and efficiency.
Mayor Meeker said that it is sound fiscal and environmental stewardship to investigate the application of LEDs as broadly as possible over the coming 18 months to see if the tests prove that it is best for the City to use LEDs wherever possible.
Mayor Meeker pointed to substantial potential savings from converting the City's more than 33,000 streetlights to LEDs. Raleigh spends more than $4.2 million annually for electricity to power the streetlights. LEDs can last 75,000 hours or longer and consume far less power than standard incandescent bulbs, this will offer the City a hefty savings in maintenance costs. Mayor Meeker estimates that 30 percent of its energy costs are for lighting.
"The City of Raleigh is willing to set the pace and invite other municipalities to join in developing energy-efficient civic centers," Mr. Swoboda said. "This leading edge effort is undoubtedly an important driver in LED adoption within the United States."
"Today's announcement represents a milestone toward large-scale adoption of clean, energy-efficient technologies," said Kateri Callahan, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance to Save Energy. "Raleigh's progressive commitment to becoming the first 'LED City' will no doubt serve as a model for other cities seeking to improve energy consumption and reduce negative impacts on the environment. We commend Cree and the City of Raleigh for helping support our mission of achieving a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security."
The U.S. Department of Energy says that LEDs have an extremely long life span when compared to incandescent lighting - in many cases they last 20 times longer. LEDs consume considerably less energy and are clean burning, thus reducing carbon emissions significantly.
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a unique type semiconductor device that emits incoherent narrow-spectrum light when electrically biased in the forward direction. This effect is a form of electroluminescence. LEDs are small extended sources with extra optics added to the chip, which emit a complex intensity spatial distribution. LEDs are usually constantly illuminated when a current passes through them, but flashing LEDs are also available.
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