July 2011

On the heels of a sizable decrease in April, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) slowed even further in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the May ABI score [...]

The 22nd consecutive edition of LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) broke all records for attendance and exhibit space in its May 17-19 run at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the LFI 2011 venue. LFI covered 200,000 net sq.ft. feet of exhibits in its largest-ever trade show floor. There were 474 exhibitors, including 59 first-time exhibiting companies. [...]

Not lighting related, but very cool! Meet the Chevy Volt. The engine design relies on electric power from its battery until it reaches its maximum range, at which point it seamlessly transitions to gasoline combustion. Why is this important for a green car? The experience of driving it meshes with the way we think about [...]

The average retail price of electricity for March 2011 was 9.66 cents per kWh, 0.4 percent lower than February 2011 when the average retail price of electricity was 9.70 cents per kWh, and 0.9 percent higher than March 2010, when the price was 9.57 cents per kWh, according to the Department of Energy. The average [...]

Denis Lavoie, PE, LC assumed the office of President of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) effective July 1, 2011. Lavoie succeeded John Selander, LC. The mission of the IES is to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the [...]

The Department of Energy (DOE) is partnering with the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) to offer a series of free one-day workshops on solid-state lighting technology titled, “Fact Versus Fiction: SSL Technology.” The workshops, led by experts in the field, are intended to help lighting designers and other industry participants to know where and [...]

GE Lighting is developing a 60W replacement LED bulb that meets the specifications for the Department of Energy’s Bright Tomorrow Lighting (L Prize) competition. GE recently submitted a letter of intent to the Department of Energy to enter the competition. “Our L Prize journey is inspired by the challenge to deliver advanced technology in a [...]

The Philips EnduraLED A21 17W light bulb is a replacement for the 75W incandescent general-service lamp, designed to reduce energy consumption by about 80 percent and last up to 25 times longer. The product uses Philips’s LUXEON LEDs and has also been developed to meet or exceed ENERGY STAR qualifications for an LED-based replacement for [...]

Philips and Trilux GmbH recently announced that they have entered into a license agreement allowing Trilux to access Philips’ patent portfolio as made available in the Philips LED Luminaire licensing program. “As a top European luminaire supplier in the general illumination field, Trilux is very pleased to have found a renowned partner in Philips for [...]