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Active Power Control of Retrofit LED Tube Lamps for Achieving Entitled Energy Savings in View of the EU Ban on Mercury

Author

Listed:
  • Shounak Roy

    (Seaborough Research BV, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Michael Krames

    (Seaborough Research BV, 1098 XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Arkesso LLC, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA)

Abstract

The performance of commercially available retrofit LED tubes intended for the replacement of linear fluorescent lamps is measured and analyzed with respect to “real-world” installed electronic ballasts, as ascertained through field recovery from installed bases, such as office buildings, parking garages, and industrial installations in western Europe from 2018 to 2020. Results show a wide variation in lamp power draw, which not only thwarts the energy-saving and climate protection aspects of the LED retrofit solution but also poses potential safety risks. Given the EU’s goals under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive to phase out mercury-containing fluorescent lighting, starting from September 2023, the situation is alarming. We show that this lamp power spread is due to the fundamental differences in impedance between fluorescent lamps and LEDs, in combination with the passive nature of the driver electronics that are currently employed in commercially available LED tube lamps. In response to this disparity, a novel driver topology including active power control (APC) is introduced, which shows that the power-spread problem can be avoided, and we offer a manufacturable solution. A prototype retrofit LED tube lamp incorporating this APC driver technology is shown to deliver safe and predictable energy savings, outlining a path toward guaranteeing the expected return-on-investment and positive environmental impact of the solid-state lighting replacement of mercury-containing linear fluorescent lamps.

Suggested Citation

  • Shounak Roy & Michael Krames, 2022. "Active Power Control of Retrofit LED Tube Lamps for Achieving Entitled Energy Savings in View of the EU Ban on Mercury," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:16:p:10062-:d:888003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joseph D. Bergesen & Leena Tähkämö & Thomas Gibon & Sangwon Suh, 2016. "Potential Long-Term Global Environmental Implications of Efficient Light-Source Technologies," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 20(2), pages 263-275, April.
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