Interesting LEDs

whasup

Every now and again you read something that really makes you think. This is mine for the month.

A US power supplier is running a trial where it will give away 100,000 LED bulbs to domestic consumers. The units include circuitry that allows it to be remotely dimmed. The dimming will only be temporary and will be virtually unnoticeable. The plan is to dim lights at certain peak times. Apparently this will smooth out energy input by so much the project pays for itself.

Tests have shown that lights can be dimmed by up to 40% before anybody notices. At 10 to 20% nobody ever notices. The unit has a manual over-ride if the consumer decides not to participate.

Now, maybe I need to get out more but the imagination of that little plan somehow made me smile.

Martyn1981

whasup wrote: »

Every now and again you read something that really makes you think. This is mine for the month.

A US power supplier is running a trial where it will give away 100,000 LED bulbs to domestic consumers. The units include circuitry that allows it to be remotely dimmed. The dimming will only be temporary and will be virtually unnoticeable. The plan is to dim lights at certain peak times. Apparently this will smooth out energy input by so much the project pays for itself.

Tests have shown that lights can be dimmed by up to 40% before anybody notices. At 10 to 20% nobody ever notices. The unit has a manual over-ride if the consumer decides not to participate.

Now, maybe I need to get out more but the imagination of that little plan somehow made me smile.

Whasup. I love ideas like that, sounds very similar to turning down a thermostat a tiny bit each day. People quickly acclimatise.

Another story I read (I read/watch way to much stuff). In California (not sure which bit) there is a trial of electric tariffs where you get a better rate if you're willing to have some power cut during peak times. The system can cut power to A/C units for up to 20 mins in each hour. Householders get a slightly better rate, but also use less leccy, win win. Maybe just PR but apparently customers were perfectly happy.

Staying in California, due to their high levels of renewables, they have one of the highest household electric rates in the US, however, as they've also invested 'big time' in insulation and innovation, they have one of the lowest household bills.

Mart.

thenudeone

LED bulbs only use a fraction of the power of a standard bulb anyway. The saving from dimming even dozens of LED bulbs by say, 10%, is pretty small.
A much better way of reducing load at peak periods would be to remotely switch off fridges / freezers for short periods. It would also be much easier to implement. There are already sockets which can be remotely controlled by SMS messages:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/remote-control-sms-base-station-509750?c=froogle&u=509750&t=module
http://youthnet.en.alibaba.com/product/514017658-212066054/SMS_remote_controlled_power_socket_British_style_plug.html

All we need is a billing system to make it worthwhile!