Toshiba LED fixtures illuminate Louvre pyramid

LED lighting from Toshiba marks the first phase of a project to replace the exterior lighting at one of Europe’s great art museums.


Toshiba Corporation has completed the first stage of a project to replace the external lighting at the Louvre Museum in Paris with LED lighting.
The first stage involves the lighting in the iconic central Pyramid, as well as the three surrounding pyramidions (small pyramids) and a section of the façade of the Colbert pavilion, part of the main museum building.
The lighting was switched on during a ceremony on December 6 by Norio Sasaki, president and CEO of Toshiba Corporation, and Henri Loyrette, Director of the Louvre Museum.

The ceremony, and the project itself, make a clear statement about Toshiba’s intention to expand into the European market. All the company’s products in Europe are LED-based. François Séguineau, President of Toshiba Lighting Europe, said that Toshiba is now “top-3 supplier of LED lamps in Europe,” having made a high-profile debut at Light+Building in April 2010.
The partnership between Toshiba and the Louvre Museum, which will run until 2023, was first announced in July 2010. In the next phases of the project the remaining facades of the Napoleon Court will be completed in the first half of 2012, and the courtyard will follow in 2013.

Toshiba will provide a total of 3,200 LED light fittings to replace 4,500 xenon light fittings. These will cut annual power consumption for the exterior lighting by 73%, from 392,000 to 105,000 watts.
Six different fixture types were purpose-designed for the Louvre installation. The lighting had to meet various technical specifications, but also meet the more subjective and aesthetic requirements of the museum Director and France’s Historical Monuments Committee.
The fixtures used inside the Pyramid have a color temperature of 2700K, and are IP65-rated in case of water ingress during storms (there are no artworks beneath the pyramid!). The 15-LED fixtures replaced fittings that contained five 20-watt metal-halide lamps. The luminous flux remained the same, at just over 1300 lm, but the overall power consumption decreased from 120W to 29.5W.

LED Industry News: Lumenpulse, Nexxus Lighting, Kingsun, Arima & Aixtron

Lumenpulse has opened its new headquarters in Montreal, Nexxus Lighting has announced it will sell factory-direct replacement lamps, Kingsun has completed its IPO and Arima Changzhi has purchased six MOCVD tools from Aixtron.


Lumenpulse has opened a new corporate headquarters located in Montreal, Canada, to accommodate the company’s recent expansion. Located near Montreal’s Lachine canal, the facility combines a 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility with 20,000-square feet of adjoining office space. The office is custom designed and incorporates the company’s architectural LED lighting fixtures.

Lumenpulse’s new headquarters in Montreal.

Lumenpulse expects to more than double its number of employees (112% increase) over the next twelve months.
“The new corporate headquarters exemplifies what Lumenpulse is all about - innovation, performance, and the future evolution of light,” said Francois-Xavier Souvay, President, CEO and founder of Lumenpulse.


In related news, Lumenpulse has opened a new EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia-Pacific) Sales Headquarters based in London, UK, which will begin operations immediately.


Nexxus offers factory-direct pricing on retrofit lamps
Charlotte, NC-based Nexxus Lighting has announced it will market its replacement lamps directly to commercial customers via its web portal, www.arrayleddirect.com. The move is designed to bring factory-direct pricing to commercial customers of Array-brand LED replacement lamps, including ESCOs, lighting maintenance contractors, facility and property managers.


The portal also features services and support including new cost-saving tools and ROI calculators. The portal will begin selling products on December 14, but pre-registration is open now.
“We developed ArrayLEDdirect.com to create a new business model for selling and expanding the adoption of LED light bulbs for the commercial market,” said Mike Bauer, President and CEO of Nexxus Lighting.


Kingsun completes initial public offering
Dongguan, China-based Kingsun Optoelectronics Co Ltd has completed its IPO of 46.85 million shares, which accounts for 25% of its total issued capital stock of 187 million shares. It is listed on the Shenzhen security exchange with the symbol kingsun and code 002638.
Kingsun manufactures indoor and outdoor LED lighting products, including LED street lights and tunnel lights, solar LED street light, LED flood lights, LED high-bay lights, and LED replacement lamps. In 2010, the company’s operating income reached 552 million yuan ($86.7 million) with a net profit of 80.89 million yuan ($12.7 million).


In recent months, Kingsun installed over 10,000 SSL luminaires along highways in the city of Shenzhen, China. The installation spanned a 120-km stretch of expressway and included new pole-mounted roadway lights and tunnel lights.


Arima Changzhi orders six Aixtron MOCVD systems
Aixtron SE, the German-based manufacturer of MOCVD tools for LED manufacturing, has announced that Arima Changzhi placed an order for six MOCVD systems. Arima Changzhi is a joint-venture involving Arima Optoelectronics Corp. (AOC), the Taoyuan, Taiwan-based maker of epitaxial wafers and LEDs, and the Changzhi High Tech Industry Investment Company of China.


Arima Changzhi has ordered six AIX 2800G4 HT MOCVD systems, three with a 42x2-inch wafer configuration and three with an 11x4-inch wafer configuration, all of which will be used to produce HB-LEDs.

Xicato, Philips and Vexica launch new LED modules

Philips has introduced the second-generation Fortimo spotlight module and new linear modules, Xicato has expanded color-temperature and light-output options in SSL modules, and Vexica has announced its entry into the module segment with the Lumaera module.

Xicato XSM and XLM modules

LED modules are becoming an enticing option for luminaire makers looking to develop new solid-state-lighting (SSL) fixtures, as the module manufacturers tackle some of the tough electrical, thermal, and optical issues. Philips Lighting, Xicato, and Vexica have all made recent module announcements and we covered the new Cree LMH2 module just a few days ago.
Xicato linear module and 3500k option
Xicato announced both additions to its linear XLM module and the availability of a 3500K CCT (correlated color temperature) option for both the Xicato Spot Module (XSM) and Xicato Linear Module (XLM) module families. The XLM is now available in models with 3000- and 4000-lm output. The new 3500K CCT option applies to the XLM and across a range of the circular XSM modules with output ranging from 1000 to 2000 lm.
Both the XSM and XLM use remote-phosphor technology. The XLM products have a color rendering index (CRI) greater than 80 while select members of the XSM artist family attain a CRI greater than 95.
Xicato says that the XLM is a good match for a broad array of high-output applications ranging from high-ceiling-accent lighting to architectural-flood lighting, delivering efficacy in excess of 80 lm/W. Both of the module lines support usage in outdoor or wet areas and offer an IP66 rating. The products are rated for 50,000-hour lifetimes.



Vexica announces Lumaera

The remote-phosphor Lumaera module

The Lumaera LED module introduction marks UK-based Vexica's entry into the OEM supply segment. The SSL module integrates a triac-dimmable driver and includes mechanical mounting tabs on the front side that allow luminaire makers to easily add optics such as reflectors.


The remote-phosphor based design utilizes the Cree XLamp XT-E Royal Blue LEDs designed specifically for remote-phosphor applications. Initially, Vexica is offering the modules in 1200- and 2000-lm versions and has promised higher-output models in Q2 2012.
Vexica offers thermal-management options for the module including both heat sinks and an active-cooling system. The modules support CRI in excess of 90.


Philips spot and linear modules
Philips Lighting, meanwhile, has launched the second generation of its Spotlight Modules (SLM) in the Fortimo family of modules. The primary upgrade is in the efficacy area. The Gen 2 products feature module efficacy as high as 100 lm/W and system efficacy in the 90 lm/W range. Those numbers are significantly up as the original SLM family featured module efficacy in the 60-70-lm/W range.

Philips SLM module and driver

Philip clearly understands the module value proposition. "We recognize that ease of design-in, use and maintenance are fundamental considerations for technical specifiers and manufacturers when developing luminaires," said Wouter Boxhoorn, marketing manager for OEM lighting solutions for retail. "These new spotlight innovations have been designed to make it less complicated to handle performance upgrades of LED modules."


The company also recently announced some linear-LED modules called the Fortimo LED Line family. The modules are targeted at replacement fixtures for linear-fluorescent lighting. The first modules feature 3 rows of LEDs arranged linearly along 1-ft module segments. Philips also plans a 1-row module allowing luminaire designers flexibility in achieving the desired lumen output.

Cree announces new LED-module family that delivers 90+ CRI

Cree has launched the new LMH2 SSL module family that separates the LED components from the driver electronics to support usage in a broad array of applications.
The new LMH2 family of modular LED light engines from Cree includes products with 850-or 1250-lm output over a wide choice in color temperature and with a color rendering index (CRI) greater than 90. Unlike prior Cree solid-state-lighting (SSL) modules, the LMH2 relies on a separate LED module and driver (pictured) that the company says will allow luminaire makers more flexibility in deploying the light engines across many different applications.

Cree LED module and driver

Indeed Cree says that the LMH2 will find usage in wall sconces, pendants, ceiling fans and other applications that can't afford space for the driver. The driver portion of the product can be installed remotely from the LED module. That not only enables applications such as small pendants but also gives the luminaire maker flexibility in the shape of the fixture and other optical elements such as reflectors.
Cree will offer products in 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, and 4000K color temperatures. Moreover, the light engines deliver system efficacy of 80 lm/W while also hitting the high CRI number.



TrueWhite technology
The combination of high efficacy and CRI is attributable to Cree's TrueWhite technology. Cree has utilized TrueWhite extensively in its own luminaires sold by Cree Lighting as well as in prior modules. TrueWhite products mix yellow and red LEDs to achieve the high CRI. Mike Watson, senior director of marketing of Cree LED components said, "The new Cree LMH2 modules make the benefits of Cree TrueWhite Technology affordable and widely available."
The 850-lm products consume 10.5W while the 1250-lm products consume 15.5W. Cree specifies that the modules will be within a 3-step MacAdams ellipse around the chosen color temperature. The driver is available with or without support for triac dimming and the dimmable models can go as low as 5% of full output.


In Zhaga Consortium parlance the new Cree module would be called a non-socketable light engine with separate control gear. That means the modules are not designed for snap-in tool-less installation or replacement.


The modules do not use remote-phosphor technology, and thus appear to be white whether powered on or off. Cree says that the white appearance is critical for its broad target of residential and commercial applications.
The drivers will work from 120V and 277V AC lines and are UL approved for both voltages. Moreover, Cree can supply much of the data such as LM-80 reports needed for luminaire makers to achieve Energy Star ratings.


Cree is providing support products and information that will help luminaire makers get to market with LMH2-based products quickly. For example Cree offers an optional heat sink and supplies a comprehensive design guide. The modules are rated for 50,000-hour lifetime and Cree is offering a product warranty for five and a half years.

South Africa to benefit from influx of Philips LED lamps

Philips is working with a South African utility company to distribute 200,000 LED lamps to commercial and professional users throughout the country.
Philips (AEX:PHI, NYSE:PHG) has announced a major deal to distribute 200,000 LED lamps in South Africa, in collaboration with Eskom, the country’s state-owned utility company, and Karebo Systems, a local distributor.

In related news, Philips has called for a worldwide switch to LED lighting at the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa. The company stated that a tipping point has been reached in the development of LED lighting that can now be used for general high-quality lighting in almost all applications. The switch will help combat climate change, save energy and improve people’s lives through increased well-being, safety and productivity.

The Philips MasterLED lamps are being offered at discounted prices throughout South Africa to professional users of lighting, such as hotels, banks, offices and retail outlets.

South Africa to benefit from influx of Philips LED lamps
The program is aimed at replacing 50W halogen bulbs with 7W or 10W LED lamps, resulting in an estimated average annual saving per lamp of 280 kWh of electricity.

Cumulatively, the deal could save 58 GWh per year, equivalent to ZAR 41 million (USD5 million), as well as reducing CO2 emissions by 60,000 tons.

Andrew Etzinger, Senior General Manager for Integrated Demand Management at Eskom, explained that it is in Eskom’s interest to encourage electricity consumers to reduce consumption where possible.

“Just like most other countries, both developed and developing, South Africa is facing an energy-constrained future,” said Etzinger. “Although Eskom is investing in new power stations to generate enough electricity to meet medium- to long-term demand, improved efficiency is the most practical solution to ensuring our electricity supply will be secure in the short-term.”

Etzinger also said that converting to LED technology brings added benefits to commercial and industrial consumers by reducing their cost of doing business and reducing their impact on the environment.

Ronald de Jong, Executive VP and Chief Market Leader with Philips, said that the participants “share many of the same values, including reducing our impact on the environment and using innovation to drive our sustainability initiatives. Encouraging a shift to LED lighting solutions underscores our commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility in growth markets like South Africa.”

The distribution of the LED lamps is being handled by Karebo Systems whose task is to organize distribution throughout South Africa and ensure that the envisaged savings are achieved.

“The key is to ensure that these energy saving lamps end up in the intended sockets” says Ravi Govender, Director, Karebo Systems. “LED technology is a relatively new technology and Eskom must be applauded for supporting this initiative. The rollout of these lamps is a wonderful job creation opportunity in South Africa. It is a definite win-win for all parties involved – especially the end user.”