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2008 Health Care Conference: Frontiers of Health Care

Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa, Santa Rosa

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Could energy-saving halogen light be next wave?

SANTA ROSA’S DSI PARTNERS WITH PHILIPS TO DEVELOP LIGHTING PRODUCTS FOR HOME

SANTA ROSA – While consumers and legislators scratch their heads over replacing energy-gobbling incandescent bulbs, Deposition Sciences and Philips say they’ve seen the light: energy-efficient halogen.

The long-time optical coating company has pursued halogen lighting since it was founded 23 years ago with the goal of developing the technology for commercial applications for General Electric and Philips Lighting.

Now, the looming energy crisis and the probability of a ban on traditional incandescent bulbs – possibly as early as 2009 in California – has DSI shifting its focus from commercial to home lighting, a $6 billion market.

That market will be up for grabs by the light bulb manufacturers that can come up with a low-cost, bright light that also saves energy.

“Energy-efficient halogen bulbs are the best solution,” said DSI President and CEO Lee Bartolomei. “The light is similar to incandescent, they last for two years, they’re twice as efficient as traditional bulbs and they don’t contain mercury.”

Philips agrees and is making bulbs using DSI’s optical coating technology under the brand Halogená Energy Saver.

But among consumers dazzled by a range of lighting products touted as green, will the bulbs find a market?

LED lighting is promising and used successfully in traffic signals, exit signs and flashlights, but “cost-efficient LED lights that can retrofit into existing home fixtures are a long way off,” said Mr. Bartolomei.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs produce the most lumens per watt, close to 40, making them the most efficient for home lighting. Traditional incandescents produce only 12 to 14 lumens per watt.

The downsides to CFL bulbs include limited use in the home – they don’t fit in spot, three-way or dimmer fixtures – and they contain mercury, making disposal difficult.

The EPA’s instructions on dealing with a broken fluorescent bulb include disposing in double-sealed bags any item of clothing or cleaning apparatus that comes in contact with the pieces.

“The toxicity CF adds to the environment outweighs the energy savings, in my opinion,” said Mr. Bartolomei.

Then there are regular halogen lights, which produce 14 to 20 lumens per watt.

Energy-saving halogen bulbs produce 24 to 28 lumens per watt currently. DSI is working to increase that number to 45, which is expected to be the mandated minimum in the U.S. by 2020.

The DSI technology uses a hot mirror coating that allows wasted heat produced by the filament of a halogen lamp to be recycled, thus reducing the amount of electricity required to produce the desired light output.

“It’s a bulb within a bulb. The light is warm, diffuse and pleasing to the human eye, compared to CFLs, which consumers perceive as dim,” said Mr. Bartolomei.

Louis Fernandes is a project engineer for the California Lighting Technology Center at Davis, which works with utilities and manufacturers to develop products and rebates for energy saving lighting.

“As legislation moves forward in California this year or next, the first priority will be to remove the most wasteful products from the market. After that the criteria will be efficiency, with no emphasis on one technology or another,” said Mr. Fernandes.

“From 2012 to 2018 the requirements will become more stringent. It’s possible that coated halogen lamps can meet the wattage requirements, and we would welcome such a light, but as yet we have not seen one.”

Wes Morgan, a project manager for the technology center, said that legislators and manufacturers are aware that improving efficiency is a balancing act.

“If a lighting product is ugly, consumers won’t buy it, and you lose the energy saving. Being technology-neutral is wise.”

According to Mr. Bartolomei, the CEO of Philips is a strong believer in energy savings, and he’s committed to the Halogená Energy Saver, but it’s up to legislators and informed consumers to give it a foothold in the market.

“Our goal at DSI is to bring the cost of the equipment and coating process down to the point where the bulbs are widely affordable. Even at today’s prices – about $6 a bulb, the customer saves $2 to $3 dollars over the original cost because it’s so efficient and it burns for so long,” he said.

DSI continues to develop optical coating equipment and technology for the military, aerospace, telecommunications and medical industries.

The 100-employee company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solon, Ohio-based Advanced Lighting Technologies, is widely considered a leader in optical coating technology.