Load Management Through Use Of Energy Efficient Lighting
Shah Zulfiqar Haider. PEng
Bangladesh is having huge shortage since 2005/2006. We still
remember those days and nights of last (2006) Holy month of Ramadan,
when there was no electricity during Iftar, Sehri & Tarabih prayer. Thanks to
the present Care Taker Government, their bold decisions on Load
management through markets closure by 8 PM, Holiday staggering in
Industrial zones, System loss reduction, Reduction of electricity theft,
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) use increase all has led to reduction of
Load shedding or electricity shortage.
ELECTRICITY UNIT AND COST
A 100-watt bulb when used for 10 hours consumes 1 Kilowatt-hour or 1 Unit
of electricity. (100 watt x 10 hours=1000 watt hours=1 Kilowatt hour =1 Unit
of electricity consumed)
The cost of electricity generation and delivery up to consumer point is around
Tk 5.50 per Unit (KWHr) whereas Utilities charge on average Tk.3.50 per unit
(KWHr) for domestic consumers. So Utility’s loss per Unit is Tk. 2
ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION OF VARIOUS LIGHTING ITEMS
Sl
1
2
3
4
5
6
ITEM
100 watt incandescent lamp
33 Watt CFL (equivalent to
100 watt incandescent lamp)
60 watt incandescent lamp
22 watt CFL (equivalent to
60 watt incandescent lamp)
4 feet Tube light with
ordinary ballast
4 feet Tube light with
Electronic ballast
CONSUMP
HOURS
REMARKS
TION
USE FOR
WATT (W)
1 UNIT
100
10
Normal lamp
32/33
30
66% Electricity
saved
60
16.67
22
45
60% Electricity
saved
48-50
21
34
29
29% electricity
saved
EFFECTIVE USE OF CFL AND ELECTRONIC BALLASTS IN TUBE
LIGHTS
If we convert Incandescent Lights with CFL and existing Tube lights having
Magnetic ballasts with electronic ballast, then our Lighting bill will reduce by
at least 60% or more. Our Domestic consumption is around 40%. Assuming
overall minimum 20% saving for lighting, we can reduce our Peak demand or
Load shedding by at least 400 MW.
1
Incandescent lamp
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL)
Normal incandescent lamps consume more than 90% electricity for heating
and 10% for illumination, so avoid it. For lights used more than 4 hours a
day, use Fluorescent or Compact Fluorescent lamps (CFL) or Energy Saving
Lamps. It will save more than 66% electricity cost. Again incandescent lamps
have 1000-hour life & CFL have 6,000-15,000 hours life. Slim tube lights give
better light and save electricity.
The following measures if adopted by the Government will save at least
400 MW of electricity at Consumer point, which is at least Tk 40,000
million from “Generation-transmission-distribution cost”.
1.
CFL Warranty increase to 2 years. The CFL suppliers claim
6,000-10,000 hours life. Considering 8 hours a day use, it will last
for 2-4 years. So it should have at least 2 years warranty.
2.
Poor Power Factor & more harmonic distortion in cheap CFL.
Most of the CFL available in country have poor Power factor around
60-70% & more Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). This is harmful
when it is used in bulk. As a result savings in electricity is not wholly
effective and it has adverse effect on electricity quality and
generation. CFL with Poor Power Factor & more total harmonic
distortion are discouraged worldwide. The Government should
allow only CFL with minimum 90% power factor and THD
below 30%.
3.
Ban on production and import or sale on 60 & above wattage of
Incandescent Lamps.
4.
Reduction of VAT, Tax or Duty on CFL & Electronic Ballasts.
5.
Environmental effect of CFL Mercury in a CFL lamp is harmful for
our environment. The mercury content of a good quality CFL is 5-6
milligram. 1 cubic feet of soil can accommodate maximum 300
nanogram of mercury, so 1 CFL will require at least 589,000 cubic
feet of soil! As such mercury content of CFL is hazardous.
2
6.
Disposal of CFL after full use: Fluorescent lamps contain mercury,
a toxic heavy metal, which mey require special disposal, separate
from general and household wastes. Mercury poses the greatest
hazard to pregnant women, infants, and children. Safe disposal
required to store the bulb unbroken. A broken fluorescent lamp is
more hazardous than a broken conventional incandescent bulb due
to the mercury content. Government should ask CFL
manufacturer and supplier to arrange safe Recycling facilities
for CFL. Consumers should return it to the store from where it
is purchased.
7.
Tube Lights-Electronic ballast vs. Ordinary ballast. Electronic
ballast saves at least 14 watts with same illumination. Only problem
voltage fluctuation might damage the electronic ballast. So change
all Magnetic ballasts to Electronic ballast
8.
Restriction of Magnetic Ballast. Its import should be banned or
discouraged imposing high taxes. But remember, Utilities are to
provide better quality electricity (no low of fluctuating voltage)
9.
Utilities concern-System loss increase & Revenue decrease.
The electric meters used in our country does not fully read at so low
wattage of CFL or Tube lights (11/15/18/20 watts), so there will be
Less Meter Reading with CFL & Tube Lights than actually
consumed, result “System loss increase and Revenue loss”.
Remedy, Proportionate Tariff increase, Improved and sensitive
meters may only be installed. In case of existing meters, estimated
KWH per CFL of TL may be added.
10.
There will be less heat emission in CFL leading to less Green
house effect. In Australia, England etc all normal bulbs are being
replaced by CFL.
11.
The penetration of CFL even in houses of educated people, public
Places/offices and Government buildings is very low. As a first step
all Government owned buildings, institutions, Cantonments, should
replace their Incandescent Lamps with CFL, Tube Light magnetic
ballast with electronic ballast. The Government or respective
institutions provide necessary budget. Then NGO, Private
installations, Malls etc be requested for the same.
3
11.
CFL on Loan to Consumers. It has been practiced in many
Countries. CFL may be provided by Utilities on loan to the
consumers. The recovery may be made from the equivalent amount
of money saved for CFL in billing.
12.
Garments one of largest consumer of Tube Lights. All Ballasts be
replaced by Electronic ballast. They may be given loan for the
same.
MOTIVATION TO USE LESS ELECTRICITY
Motivation is a key to success in today’s management. People are required
to make understand that we are having shortage of electricity. Public might
think they are paying genuinely, so why they should not be provided with
adequate supply.
Well if we are convinced and motivated about electricity saving and
minimizing Load shedding, then we should follow these guidelines and
motivate or convince others to follow it. If people in Europe, America can do
it, then why can’t we?
“SAVE ENERGY, SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT & SAVE MONEY”
The author Shah Zulfiqar Haider, PEng is the First Registered Professional
Engineer in REB/PBS, General Manager-Noakhali PBS with 26 years of
Professional experience in Energy sector, TQM & Military Engineering
Services.
He is Member (Researcher) Global Development Network. He is also
Member Network of Energy Advisors Linx Research NY (USA), American
Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), World Energy Council,
Global Village Energy Partnership (UK), The Asia Pacific Forum for
Sustainable Energy, House hold Energy Network, Bangladesh Society for
Total Quality Management, Bangladesh Computer Society etc.
Life Fellow-IEB, Life Member-South Asia Federation of AOTS Alumni
Societies (Japan), Associate-Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Partnership UK.
He has been to USA, China, Japan, India, Nepal etc on various professional
visits.
The author can be reached via Email. szhaider123@hotmail.com or Cell.
0152-307218.
4