Lutron Integrates Two High-Performance Control Products
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. has integrated two of its signature light and shade control systems, Grafik Eye QS and EcoSystem — merging the benefits of both into one system that simultaneously controls fluorescent, LED and incandescent/halogen lighting as well as shades.

The Lutron Grafik Eye QS with EcoSystem solution, recently introduced to the US market, relies on an EcoSystem bus supply that allows Grafik Eye QS to directly control EcoSystem and Hi-lume 3D ballasts (any voltage) without an interface. The result delivers better lighting control coupled with energy efficiency.

Users can adjust the lights for any task or activity in commercial, educational or institutional spaces and can recall stored settings with just the touch of a button. With the inclusion of Sivoia(R) QS shades, the lighting control of any space is made complete with a singular customizable preset light and shade control system.

Grafik Eye QS with EcoSystem provides 6, 8 or 16 zones of EcoSystem control, including three line-voltage dimming zones.  It operates up to 64 EcoSystem ballasts and/or Hi-lume 3D ballasts. 

This new system employs seeTouch QS wallstations, with 14 available button configurations that provide scene preset, zone, partition or shade control buttons for additional points of control. The wallstations control lights, shades or a combination of both. The seeTouch QS wallstations and the Grafik Eye QS are offered in 39 colors and finishes to accent any décor.

The Lutron Sivoia QS shading solution delivers smooth, quiet movement with programmable stopping points and precise alignment of shades to within 0.125 inches.

The integration of Grafik Eye QS and EcoSystem enhances the high- performance energy-saving strategies of each.  The energy savings indicator, built-in astronomical and programmable time clock, direct connection to occupancy sensor for manual on/ automatic off, daylight harvesting of both incandescent and fluorescent lights, and the ability to dim lights to specific preset levels address ASHRAE, IECC, and Title 24 energy codes.

Grafik Eye QS with EcoSystem benefits customers by allowing the flexibility to adapt lighting to changing space requirements in an office building or school.  The new capability increases employee and student performance by providing a better lighting environment that includes daylight and shading control.

OSRAM Achieves Leap in Brightness and Efficiency of White LEDs
By improving technologies involved in the manufacture of LEDs, OSRAM development engineers have achieved new records for the brightness and efficiency of white LEDs in the laboratory. Under standard conditions with an operating current of 350 mA, brightness peaked at a value of 155 lm, and efficiency at 136 lm/W. In generating these results, researchers used white prototype LEDs with 1 mm-square chips. The light produced had a color temperature of 5,000°K, with color coordinates at 0.349/0.393 (cx/cy).

The key to OSRAM’s success was the efficient interplay among all the advances made in materials and technologies. A perfectly matched system of optimized chip technology, a highly advanced and extremely efficient light converter, and a special high-performance package all combined to produce the world record performance results.

Potential applications for this high-performance LED technology include general illumination, the automotive sector, and any application that calls for large, high-power LEDs. These semiconductor light sources are also suitable for high operating currents. At 1.4 A, they can produce up to 500 lm of white light. This means that in the future the LEDs can also be used for projection applications as blue and green chip versions.

ACC Controller Facilitates Energy Savings in Fixed and Mobile Network DC Power Plants
Power-One, Inc., a provider of power conversion and power management solutions, has introduced the ACC Controller. This network-power-system controller provides monitoring and management of an enhanced array of parameters, and an extensive alarm log, enabling the collection and analysis of critical data needed to facilitate saving energy and increased system reliability.

Site-level DC power system parameters that can be monitored and controlled, locally and remotely, include: DC voltage, rectifier current, rectifier temperature, system capacity, circuit-breaker status and a comprehensive range of battery information.

The ACC Controller features a “plug-and-play” design, and a self-guided set up sequence. Remote alarm monitoring is via USB or RS232, using Power-One’s Web-enabled PowCom software. An Ethernet port enables control over a TCP/IP network and the Internet. Alarms can be mapped via SNMP traps to customer OSS platforms.

Additional features include: multi-level password protection with user-defined profiles, remote firmware upgrades, audible alarms, low-voltage disconnect, temperature compensation with programmable compensation factors, monthly data logging, and front-panel LCD display and buttons that enable on-site service without the need for a PC.

ACC Controller compatibility includes Power-One’s high-efficiency, energy-saving Guardian Series of network power systems. Rack and cabinet configurations are available to deliver up to 500 amps with up to 720Ah of backup battery capability. Medium and large DC power plant requirements are also supported with 1,200 A per bay, up to 6,400 A.

NSF International Receives Silver LEED Certification
NSF International has received the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for its recent laboratory expansion. 

The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally-accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED provides building operators and owners with the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. Some of these practices include sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

As part of NSF's ongoing commitment to protect the environment, NSF adopted the LEED Green Building Rating System in the expansion of its Michigan-based corporate headquarters and laboratories in Ann Arbor, Mich. To achieve silver LEED status, NSF demonstrated that the design of its new building is saving 26 percent of energy costs when compared to traditional buildings.

“Our goal when we started our laboratory expansion was to create and sustain an environmentally-friendly site that reflects our organization’s mission – to improve and protect public health and the environment,” said Kevan P. Lawlor, president and chief executive officer. “Consistent with this goal to build a high-performance, green facility, we employed advanced water recycling and treatment methods, energy-efficient systems, low-emitting materials and minimized the changes to our natural landscape during construction.”

NSF’s sustainable efforts include:   

• Up to 50 percent of NSF’ drinking water treatment systems lab’s test water is now recycled and reused.
• Using Green Power (wind, solar, and hydro-electric sources) for 50 percent of the energy sources used to power the facility.
• Using 12 percent post-consumer recycled material in the building, including recycled carpeting.
• Using compact florescent lighting, which uses at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, throughout the building.
• Water-efficient landscaping reduces landscaping water needs by 50 percent. This includes planting native drought-tolerant grasses and plants to protect building and parking lot runoff.
• Using locally-manufactured resources and obtaining almost 85 percent of all building materials locally.
• Providing 21 acres of open space, 217 percent more than the minimum code requirements.

Green Future for The Savoy
The Savoy was the first hotel to generate its own electricity supply, to install electric lifts, supply constant hot and cold running water and air conditioning. Continuing this tradition, The Savoy is combating climate change through investing in a carbon reduction strategy, as part of the £100 million restoration project it is currently undergoing, to become the most environmentally responsible luxury hotel in London.

Energy management company, Evolve Energy, has been brought on board by The Savoy, during its 16 month closure, to implement a carbon emissions reduction system. Evolve Energy's "green" strategy will mean:

• The Savoy will reduce its electricity consumption - the greatest source of its carbon emissions - by approximately 50 percent, and total energy consumption by up to 40 percent
• In the long-term, emissions will be permanently reduced by 3,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, the equivalent of removing 850 vehicles from London's roads
• Energy savings devices will include the replacement of old boilers and heat transfer equipment with ultra high efficiency hot water and heat recovery systems, low energy air conditioning, intelligent building controls, smart metering and 24 hour monitoring and targeting of energy use at the hotel
• All rooms and suites will be fitted with useful energy saving equipment, including smart guestroom controls
• Public areas, including the new Beaufort Bar and Savoy Tea Shop, will also incorporate the carbon reduction strategy.

Kiaran McDonald, general manager of The Savoy said, “When we open the doors to the restored Savoy in 2009, guests will notice the difference in our upgraded public areas, river view suites and restaurants. What they will not immediately notice is the amount of work that has been invested in upgrading the physical plant of the hotel. When we closed our doors we set an ambitious target for ourselves: to reduce our energy consumption by up to 40 percent, and become the most environmentally responsible luxury hotel in London. This stance is a reflection of the leading position taken by Fairmont on an International level.”

DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions Marks 70 Years of Teflon with Enhanced Plunkett Awards for Innovation and Sustainability
To mark the 70th anniversary of the discovery of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), later branded as DuPont Teflon, DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions has expanded its long-running DuPont Plunkett Awards with environmental sustainability as a new selection criterion. The Plunkett Awards for Innovation & Sustainability recognize companies around the world using fluoropolymers to create innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable growth and help reduce environmental footprints.
 
“The discovery of DuPont Teflon PTFE fluoropolymer has revolutionized our everyday lives.  Its high performance and durability have benefitted non-stick cookware and other consumer and industrial products made with fluoropolymers, including semiconductors, waterproof and breathable apparel, data communication cables, components for automotive, aerospace and renewable energy,” said Patrick E. Lindner, global business director, DuPont Fluoropolymer Solutions. “DuPont has a strong tradition in innovation and sustainability that makes our lives better, and as a global leader in fluoropolymers, we want to recognize others who have the same commitment.”

The Plunkett Awards for Innovation and Sustainability will be launched with a call for entries beginning in August 2008, and will include increased award values and a new honorable mention category. Winners will be announced at special events around the world in 2009. The awards are named after DuPont scientist Dr. Roy Plunkett, who discovered PTFE in 1938 as he was experimenting with refrigeration gases. Since that time, the company has introduced an entire family of these versatile plastics with unique properties that have made possible hundreds of significant developments across many diverse industries.

Dell First to Achieve 80 PLUS Gold Energy Efficiency
Dell became the first in its industry to achieve 80 PLUS Gold-certification for a server power supply.
 
“When it comes to energy efficiency, our focus is clear and simple,” said Albert Esser, Dell’s vice president of Power and Infrastructure Solutions. “We’re designing next-generation Energy Smart technology that reflects customers’ feedback, collectively avoids millions of tons of CO2 emissions and drives unprecedented cost savings.”

The 80 PLUS certification enables manufacturers and customers to compare and contrast power supplies based on established criteria from Energy Star and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Dell’s new 80 PLUS Gold power supply meets July 2009 Climate Savers targets for servers more than a year ahead of schedule, which require 92 percent minimum efficiency for the power supply unit at 50 percent of rated output.

Dell is the first major computer manufacturer to list an 80 PLUS Silver-certified power supply for its desktops. The 80 PLUS Silver certification is up to 8 percent more efficient than what is required to meet Energy Star 4.0, up to 3 percent more efficient than the Energy Star 5.0 draft and also meets the July 2009 PC requirements of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.

“We want to recognize Dell for taking energy-efficiency to a whole new level,” said Geoff Wickes, Director of Commercial & Industrial Programs at Ecos Consulting and the 80 PLUS program. “The value of 80 PLUS is made available by a partnership between manufacturers, utilities and consumers and is bringing forward new market innovations and efficiencies that are helping to enable greener IT solutions.”

Dell’s laptops and desktops, already among the industry’s most energy-efficient, are being designed to consume up to 25 percent less energy by 2010 relative to systems offered today. Dell recently introduced a Vostro Energy-Smart 410 desktop computer that can save customers up to 47 percent in annual energy costs without sacrificing power and performance.

Register by Sept. 19th and save $300!
Register for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Symposium 2008 today so you don’t miss out on the great discount available for early registrations. Discounted rates are also available for government and military personnel as well as. Click here for or more details and to register.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Symposium 2008 is a conference highlighting the latest technologies and applications of green and energy efficient products and services. The presentations will be particularly orientated toward industrial, manufacturing and facilities operations. The symposium will be held November 5-6 in Atlanta, Ga.

Visit the conference Web site to learn about confirmed presentations.