Philips, one of the world largest manufacturers of LED Lighting have announced their latest break through in LED technology, claiming to have developed a lamp which is the "the world's most energy-efficient".
The LED tube developed by Philips offers the same amount of light as those used currently in offices and commercial spaces but uses on half the amount of energy
Obviously halving the amount of energy used offers huge energy and cost savings. Which on a global scale amounts to a lot of energy considering lighting accounts for more than 19% of global electricity usage.
Producing 200 lumens per watt (200lm/W) which compared with standard 100lm/W achieved with current strip lighting the prototype tube light offers significant improvements on current designs.
"This is a major breakthrough in LED lighting and will further drive the transformation of the lighting industry," said Rene van Schooten, chief executive of light source and electronics at Philips.
Adding, "It's exciting to imagine the massive energy and cost savings it will bring to our planet and customers,"
Fluorescent tube lighting is common place in industry and commercial buildings and accounts for more than half of the worlds total lighting usage, the LED lamp from Phillips is intended to replace the tube lamps lowering global energy consumption.
For example the US alone consumes 200 terawatts hours (TWh) of electricity every year. According to Philips, by switching to the energy efficient tube lamps the country could save $12bn (£7.8bn) and reduce carbon dioxide output by 60 million metric tonnes.
The key to increased efficiency from LED Light bulbs is the fact they loose a lot less energy through heat compared to a traditional incandescent light bulb, however due to the new technology used they tend to be more cost up to ten times more than a traditional light bulbs although these prices are expected to fall as the technology becomes more widespread.
The light is expected to hit the market relatively soon with Phillips expected to release the tube lamp in 2015, a spokesperson from Philips has been quoted saying the cost will be reasonable and not significantly more than current LED tube lights.
The UK Enery Saving Trust is more sceptical recommending that manufacturers' claims always had to be treated with caution, but commented "If Philips could bring the product to market it would represent a major advance."
"The typical performance of LEDs we have trialled and tested before has typically been in the range of 50 to 70 lumens per watt which is significantly better than traditional lighting - so if this new Philips product can perform as claimed then it represents a huge leap forward in performance,"
"It is also good that this product is aimed at office environments, where lighting is often left on for 24 hours per day - the potential for reducing electricity demand is therefore very high." - James Russill, the trust's technical development manager