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Working Paper: A Technology Assessment of Light Emitting Diode (LED) Solid-State Lighting for General Illumination

Paper Number: 2005-04

Document Date: 03/2005

Author(s): Amanda Slocum

Subject Area(s): Energy; Climate Change

Keywords: solid-state lighting; LEDs; energy-efficiency; technology assessment

Abstract: Innovative technologies can play a major role in curbing emissions of GHG that contribute to global climate change. Solid-state lighting (SSL) is one recent example of an innovative technology, which has received considerable attention in the last several years. This emerging lighting technology has tremendous potential to become significantly more energy-efficient than lighting technologies that are currently used, such as incandescent and fluorescent lighting.

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview on SSL technology for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to serve as a reference for future work in this technology area. This report was prepared using the methodological approach of a “technology assessment”. An overview of SSL is provided, and the drivers and barriers to its use as general illumination lighting are discussed. The report also highlights both potential environmental benefits and negative impacts, which might accompany the development and use of this emerging technology.

This paper is part of the Environmental Economics Working Paper Series

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