NXP Semiconductors last week updated the media on the latest milestone of its environmentally conscious design process by announcing it has sold 250 million fluorescent lighting driver ICs, helping to save 500 million kg CO2 per year compared to more traditional lighting solutions.
Fluorescent lamps are highly energy-efficient lighting solutions that save 80% energy compared with traditional incandescent light bulbs.
According to NXP, electricity used for lighting homes, shops, offices, signs, public spaces, and streetlights – accounts for roughly 20 percent of all electricity consumption worldwide. With a number that high, it’s no surprise that consumers, companies, and governments around the globe are looking for energy-efficient alternatives to traditional lighting.
NXP calculates that switching to more efficient technologies, such as CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lighting) would enable up to an 80% saving in electricity costs from lighting.
“Lighting is a vital area of focus for the semiconductor industry because of the clear impact that we can have on the world’s energy resources,” said Stephane Curral, manager, Power and Lighting Solutions Product Line, NXP Semiconductors.
“We were one of the first semiconductor companies to recognize the importance of energy-efficient lighting, and have made lighting a focus for more than 15 years.”
In a statement released last week, NXP claims it is committed to supporting energy-saving trends in the lighting industry, for example, daylight harvesting, in which lighting levels are adjusted according to the amount of natural daylight available.
“At NXP we believe that taking responsibility for our impact on the world around us is fundamental to success. Environmental conscious design principles are reflected across the NXP's leadership domains, involving home electronics, automotive and multi-market semiconductors. After our recent achievement in lowering PC power wastage with our GreenChip™ PC solution, which attained the 80plus GOLD level, I am proud that NXP technology has been able to play such an important role in driving energy saving in the lighting application area,” said Rene Penning de Vries, chief technology officer, NXP. |
