Gillian Isoardi and Steve Coyne, Light Naturally, Brisbane, Australia

The International Energy Agency’s Energy Efficient End-use Equipment, Solid State Lighting (IEA 4E SSL) Annex takes an evidence-based approach to evaluating LED product performance. Using comprehensive market data from product registries, surveys, market product testing and by initiating leading edge research, the SSL Annex provides support to governments looking to implement energy-efficient policies in lighting. Key to this activity, is the development of recommendations on parametric limits for product performance and research into test methods that reduce the time and cost burden for government, industry and consumers.

This paper highlights several activities that exemplify the SSL Annex’s evidence-based approach and the outcomes of that work. This begins with benchmarking results that provide a snapshot of product performance in precise markets and provides a basis for the prediction of future trends. Such benchmarking data show notable differences between claimed and tested data variation between regulated and unregulated markets.

Furthermore, the investigation and development of novel product test methods – critical to reducing testing burden while maintaining accurate measures of performance – are presented for LED product endurance and lifetime. This work developed a method for shortening predictive life testing by incorporating accelerated aging and pulse-soak testing.

Also highlighted is recent research on the human factors impact of Temporal Light Modulation (TLM). Such priority work allows for the advancement of performance measures for health and wellbeing of consumers.

The ongoing efforts of the SSL Annex activities aim to ensure that energy efficient lighting policy is driven by real data that accurately reflects a rapidly changing market.