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Lighting Innovation 8
Bright future for new-look lighting
ne of the greatest challenges
O discussed by delegates at Davos in recent times has been how to decouple economic growth from increased energy consumption . After the two hottest years on record , the environmental and economic imperative is now greater than ever before .
Eric Rondolat , CEO , Philips Lighting
Few sectors have such a role to play in the quest for smarter energy use than lighting . “ No industry can save as much energy as lighting ,” states Eric Rondolat , the CEO of Philips Lighting . “ The name of the game now is not to
To develop the planet , we consume more . We have to make sure that we consume better .” Eric Rondolat , CEO , Philips Lighting
create more capacity to generate energy but to save energy . We in the lighting business can make a major contribution to changing that equation .”
New technologies can deliver savings of up to 80 % of the electricity consumption of lighting , Rondolat declares . Thanks to industry innovations , it is already possible to go twice as far as the energy efficiency targets of the COP21 agreement of December 2015 . “ If we do not double the rate at which we improve our energy efficiency , we will still be consuming more energy than we save ,” Rondolat says . “ The main issue is to make sure that all stakeholders are more ambitious .”
Philips Lighting , which has been an independent company since an initial public offering in May 2016 , is leading the charge to transform global lighting . In markets around the world , the company is working with businesses , consumers , the public
sector and technology companies to deliver the economic , social and environmental benefits of lighting innovation .
Some of the most pioneering work is being carried out in cities , where Philips Lighting is installing energy-efficient and sustainable connected LED lighting . In Jakarta , the company is currently upgrading nearly 90,000 street luminaires at a record rate of 430 light points per day , each with the capability for remote monitoring and management .
Smart lighting systems can do more than just enhance public safety , reduce energy consumption and improve the urban landscape . In the future , a city ’ s lighting infrastructure and sensors will form an integral part of a giant data network , with the potential to support a host of smart city services , from improved cellular coverage for smartphones to situational information for autonomous vehicles .
“ We are only just beginning to scratch the surface of the potential of connected lights ,” Rondolat reveals . “ Of the 300 million street lights on the planet , just 12 % are LED and only 2 % are connected . It is a fantastic opportunity .”
In the retail sector , supermarket operator Carrefour has been one of the first companies to feel the business potential of new lighting technologies . The retailer is using connected LED supermarket lighting from Philips Lighting to deliver location-based services to shoppers ’ smartphones . The connected lights act like an indoor GPS , transmitting location information to a smartphone app that then leads customers to items and promotions in the store . Not only does the new lighting system reduce energy consumption by 50 %, but it also enables Carrefour to enhance the customer experience and engage better with shoppers .
To maximize the potential of lighting innovation , Philips Lighting has developed close research and development partnerships with a series of startups , universities and technology giants such as Cisco , SAP and Vodafone and integrates
with smart home platforms from Amazon , Apple , Google and Samsung . By 2020 , it expects its revenues from sustainable lighting to represent 80 % of the total , up from 72 % in 2015 . Also in 2020 , the company will be using 100 % renewable electricity and its operations will be entirely carbon neutral . “ For us , sustainability is a double win : a driver for economic growth and a means of advancing the planet ,” Rondolat affirms .
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We will need companies everywhere to urgently rise to the challenge if we are to achieve our climate goals .” Lise Kingo , Executive Director , UN Global Compact