Posted by : nita on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 03:28 AM EST
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May 28, 09 | When it comes to the environmental compatibility of lamps, their energy consumption is nearly the sole decisive factor, not the energy that is used to produce them. That finding was revealed by a comparison of various types of lamps, according to the latest issue of the research magazine "Pictures of the Future". A doctoral dissertation at the Siemens subsidiary Osram analyzed the life cycle of lamps — from the production of their raw materials to the lamps’ disposal. The analysis concluded that 98 percent of the energy is consumed by the operation of the lamps. The finding bolsters the call for banning light bulbs that use much more electricity to yield the same brightness as high-efficiency lamps. Energy balances that Siemens has analyzed in other categories resulted in similar findings. Energy consumption during operation also is the key factor for locomotives or laundry dryers, for example. Increasing energy costs, a worsening scarcity of raw materials, and growing awareness of environmental issues are making sustainability a more urgent priority. Siemens, whose environmental portfolio generates about one fourth of its sales, is relying on comprehensive life cycle assessments. These start with a meticulous inventory. Then the energy used to produce the product must be factored in, as well as the location where a device or appliance is used. Hydroelectric power is more beneficial for the assessment than electricity from coal-fired power plants. Disposal of products at the end of their life cycle can work both ways — using recycled raw materials improves the assessment, harmful substances are detrimental to it. The data that flows into the analysis includes the emission of greenhouse gases and nitrogen oxides and the dangers that pollutants pose to humans and the environment.
The life cycle balances of all the lamp types evaluated — filament light bulbs, efficient halogen lamps, and energy-saving lamps — are determined by their level of energy consumption. The energy-saving lamp therefore emerged as the clear winner of the comparative analysis, with over 80 percent less CO2 emissions than the filament light bulb. The energy-saving lamp also enjoys an edge in terms of harmful substances, even though it contains a minimal amount of mercury. Even if it were improperly disposed of, it would cause less strain on people and the environment than the generation of the additional power that filament bulbs account for. This is because coal-fired power plants, for example, also emit mercury. Osram is nonetheless continuing with efforts to further reduce the mercury content of the lamps and to make them even more efficient. The potential for improvement here is as high as 20 percent.
