Jan 10 2008
Energy Focus, Inc., the global leader in energy-efficient lighting technologies, can help Californians meet the State's ambitious energy conservation goals.
According to the January 9, 2008, edition of Wall Street Journal, California is aggressively developing innovative ways to inspire energy conservation, including the widespread distribution of compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) that use about a quarter of the energy of incandescent bulbs. By comparison, Energy Focus's high-efficiency lighting systems, including its award-winning LED and metal-halide systems, save as much as 80% of the energy of incandescent and even fluorescent bulbs, offering California consumers a bright, efficient alternative to the "twisty."
"For homeowners, retailers and businesses, energy-efficient lighting is about far more than simply low wattage," said John Davenport, CEO of Energy Focus Inc. "It's about bright, warm, white light that accents retailers' products; it's about creating mood and atmosphere. It's about saving energy through lost cost controls. Energy Focus products deliver these attributes in the most energy efficient package available."
Energy Focus Inc. has a track record of providing energy solutions to the California lighting market. In 2006 Southern California Edison performed a comparative field study of Energy Focus EFO-ICE, Energy Focus's fiber optic lighting system for refrigerated supermarket display cases, and state-of-the-art fluorescent lighting. Results showed that EFO-ICE required only 1/3 the energy of fluorescent lighting while providing comparable luminance. The Albertsons grocery store chain, recognizing the energy saving potential, has installed EFO systems in California as well in other states.
But lighting is not the only area in which Energy Focus can help Californians. As of January 1, 2008, the state mandated new energy conservation rules regulating swimming pool pumps. According to the California Public Utilities Commission, pool pumps are the third largest user of residential electricity in California. There are perhaps 500,000 residential pools with pool pumps that are responsible for 1.3 billion kWh per year and a potential demand of as much as 750 MW in the Southern California Edison service area alone.
To meet this challenge, Energy Focus's Fiberstars Pool and Spa division has developed a Wireless Pool Control (WPC) system that makes saving energy and money by managing pool pumps easy and inexpensive.
"Pool pumps have traditionally been one of the most inefficient electronic products on the market," said Steve Gasperson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Energy Focus Inc. "The Fiberstars WPC, which meets or exceeds all of California's relevant mandates, allows consumers to remotely control their two-speed pool pumps. Our unique wireless handset (which can also operate pool lights) offers consumers a extremely convenient way to radically reduce their energy consumption and costs."
California is not the only state establishing energy conservation initiatives. On January 1, 2008, new lighting and appliance efficiency regulations went into effect in Arizona, Connecticut, Oregon, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington. And the "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007, mandates that by 2020, lightbulbs must be 70% more efficient than today.
"Energy Focus lighting systems already exceed the efficiency targets mandated for the year 2020," added John Davenport, "and we are dedicated to developing the most forward-thinking sustainable lighting technologies available.