Germany is another country to have recognised the energy-saving benefits of LED lighting. And as a result, German authorities and businesses are busy promoting LED use.
A number of German cities have launched projects to introduce LED street lamps, the influential German car sector is examining the benefits of using LED light bulbs in their vehicles, and designers are discovering how LED light bulbs can produce versatile lighting effects.
The interest in LEDS among Germans is significant. According to reports, the German LED industry is set to grow by 27% each year until at least 2018.
Reducing power consumption with LED lighting
Germany’s total power consumption is about 500 trillion watt-hours. The replacement of incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs can cut this figure substantially. German engineers believe the energy saved would be equal to the amount produced by a large power plant over the course of a year.
This type of energy-saving fact is giving impetus to the drive in Germany to launch LED lighting projects. For example, a competition called “Towns in a New Light” provides money for outdoor LED lamps. There has been so much interest in the competition that 141 towns took part. The 10 winners are now in the process of installing municipal LED lighting in their streets.
LED lighting and German cars
German cars have a global reputation for technology and style, and the manufacturers are always keen to improve vehicle energy-efficiency and appearance. LED lighting is proving to be just what they need.
LED headlights are now a feature of some Audi and BMW models. The headlights save money by using less power from engines. They also reinforce the distinctive look of the cars.
Car park LED lighting
The use of LED lighting is also extending to car parks in Germany. A car park in the centre of Bremen needed a complete overhaul of its lighting system. 725 LED fittings now ensure the car park has better illumination and greater security.
German design and LED lighting
LED lighting has also grabbed the attention of German designers. They are using LED light bulbs to combine functionality, creativity and cost cutting.
For example, the Reichstag in Berlin is one of Germany’s most notable buildings. When asked to replace the lighting of the façade, designers chose a combination of LED strip lights, uplighters and floodlights. The effect is to spread an even, soft tone over the classical features of the Reichstag at night, and to keep unsightly shadows to a minimum.
LED lighting at the Reichstag has also cut costs and pollution. The average electricity charge per hour for the façade is now slightly more than one euro, a large reduction on the previous bill. And the saving to the environment, compared to the former traditional lighting, is 23,100 kg of carbon dioxide each year.
In Munich, another classical building has also had an LED lighting facelift. The façade in this instance belongs to Dallmayr, an upmarket delicatessen similar in standing to Fortnum & Mason in London.
The aim of the LED lighting is to show the building to best effect at night. LED light bulbs highlight classical features such as the columns and ornate windows. They also provide a warm white tone to complement the honey-yellow colour of the building’s stonework.
Clearly LED lighting and German innovation and technology is a marriage made in heaven.
Ujerumani ni nchi nyingine ambayo imetambua faida za kuokoa nishati za taa za LED. Kwa sababu hiyo, serikali na wafanyabiashara wa Ujerumani wamejitahidi sana kuendeleza matumizi ya LED. Miji kadhaa ya Ujerumani imeanzisha miradi ya kuanzisha taa za barabara za LED, sekta ya magari ya Ujerumani inaangalia faida za kutumia taa za LED katika magari yao, na wabunifu wanagundua jinsi taa za LED zinaweza kuzalisha athari za taa za versatile. Maslahi katika LEDs miongoni mwa Wajerumani ni muhimu. Kulingana na ripoti, sekta ya LED ya Ujerumani imewekwa kukua kwa 27% kila mwaka hadi angalau 2018. Kuondoa umeme kwa kutumia taa za LED: Uuzaji wa umeme wa Ujerumani ni karibu bilioni 500 Kubadilisha balbu za incandescent na balbu za LED kunaweza kupunguza takwimu hii kwa kiasi kikubwa. Wataalamu wa Ujerumani wanaamini kwamba nishati itakayopatikana itakuwa sawa na ile inayotokezwa na kituo kikubwa cha umeme kwa mwaka mmoja. Kwa sababu ya kuokoa nishati, Ujerumani ina mpango wa kuanzisha miradi ya taa ya LED. Kwa mfano, mashindano yanayoitwa "Miji katika Nuru Mpya" hutoa pesa kwa ajili ya taa za nje za LED. Mashindano hayo yalivutia sana hivi kwamba miji 141 ilishiriki. Washindi hao kumi sasa wako katika mchakato wa kufunga taa za LED za manispaa katika barabara zao. LED taa na magari ya Ujerumani magari ya Ujerumani ina sifa ya kimataifa kwa teknolojia na mtindo, na wazalishaji ni daima nia ya kuboresha gari nishati ufanisi na kuonekana. Taa za LED zinaonyesha kuwa ni sawa na kile wanachohitaji. Taa za mbele za LED sasa ni sehemu ya baadhi ya mifano ya Audi na BMW. Taa za mbele huokoa pesa kwa kutumia nishati kidogo kutoka kwa injini. Pia huimarisha sura ya kipekee ya magari hayo. Mwangaza wa LED wa maegesho ya magari: Mwangaza wa LED wa maegesho ya magari unaongezeka kwa kasi zaidi katika Ujerumani. Maegesho ya magari katikati ya Bremen yalihitaji kurekebishwa kabisa kwa mfumo wake wa taa. Mifumo ya LED 725 sasa inahakikisha kuwa maegesho ya magari yana taa bora na usalama mkubwa. Mwangaza wa LED wa Ujerumani pia umevutia watengenezaji wa bidhaa za Ujerumani. Kwa hivyo, kwa kutumia bulb za LED, unaweza kuunganisha utendaji, ubunifu na kupunguza gharama. Kwa mfano, Jumba la Reichstag huko Berlin ni mojawapo ya majengo mashuhuri zaidi ya Ujerumani. Wakati wa kuunda, waundaji waliamua kutumia taa za LED, taa za juu na taa za mafuriko. Matokeo ni kueneza sauti laini, laini juu ya sifa za kawaida za Reichstag usiku, na kuweka vivuli visivyo na sura kwa kiwango cha chini. Taa za LED katika Reichstag pia zimepunguza gharama na uchafuzi wa mazingira. Kiwango cha wastani cha umeme kwa saa kwa ajili ya facade sasa ni kidogo zaidi ya euro moja, kupunguzwa kubwa juu ya muswada wa awali. Kwa mfano, kwa mfano, kuokoa kwa mazingira, ikilinganishwa na taa za zamani za jadi, ni 23,100 kg ya kaboni dioksidi kila mwaka. Katika Munich, jengo jingine la kale pia limeboreshwa kwa taa za LED. Uso katika kesi hii ni mali ya Dallmayr, upmarket delicatessen sawa katika kusimama kwa Fortnum & Mason katika London. Lengo la taa ya LED ni kuonyesha jengo kwa athari bora usiku. Taa za LED huangazia mambo ya kawaida kama vile nguzo na madirisha yenye mapambo. Pia hutoa rangi ya nyeupe yenye joto ili kukamilisha rangi ya manjano ya asali ya mawe ya jengo hilo. Kwa kweli, taa za LED na uvumbuzi wa Ujerumani ni ndoa iliyofanywa mbinguni.