Background
By 2009, LED lighting had been identified as a possible long-term replacement for compact fluorescent lamps. Europe, America and Japan were leading the development of the technology, but China also recognised LED lighting as an area with potential for achieving large-scale domestic energy savings. This project aimed to provide support for the Chinese government’s inclusion of LEDs in their promotion of energy efficient lighting solutions. It developed a set of up-to-date practical test methods and evaluation criteria for LED lighting products in China, and used the technical methods established to steer the development of the LED lighting industry as a whole.
Outcomes
The National Lighting Test Centre (NLTC), which was the implementing partner for this project, came to play a pivotal role in establishing the technical specifications and testing methods for LED products in China, starting with a few products during the REEEP project and expanding its range afterwards. Without these efforts the market for LEDs in China, which is currently growing exponentially and expected to reach a value of $7,4 billion in 2017, could not have developed as rapidly.
The technical specifications and practical testing methods for LED products developed by the NLTC were quickly adopted by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and thus became the national standards. They were incorporated into the bidding documents for the national ‘LED lighting product application demonstration project.’
The project was deemed successful beyond expectations, and the NTLC continues to work in many areas to support China’s national policies and incentive schemes for the transition towards energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting solutions.
