CIE 2010 - Illuminating ideas for the future

In these times of increased awareness of the importance of energy efficiency, lighting is the subject of renewed consideration.

During the dark, dull winter days, flicking on the light switch is something we do almost without thinking. Pleasant, white light illuminating our homes and workplaces can easily be taken for granted. However, in these times of increased awareness of the importance of energy efficiency, lighting is the subject of renewed consideration.

In an effort to save energy – and money – legislation in many countries has banned old-style incandescent light bulbs and made mandatory the use of more economical CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) bulbs. These bulbs, though they undeniably cut down on energy bills, are not without their complications. They contain mercury, which does not facilitate their end-of-life disposal. Many also take several minutes to warm up. They are a step in the right direction, but they are not perfect.

So, the search is on for energy-efficient yet satisfactory lighting solutions. Organizations such as the CIE, the International Commission on Illumination, and the IEC have important roles to play. The CIE publishes standards, technical reports and recommendations on light and lighting prepared by experts in its various Technical Committees. It works closely with the IEC. Both organizations have released a number of joint publications, for example IEC 60050-845, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Part 845: Lighting.

As mentioned in recent e-techs (August and October 2009), the CIE will be organizing the CIE 2010 "Lighting Quality and Energy Efficiency" conference next March, at the Hilton Vienna Hotel, Austria. The IEC is pleased to be one of the partner organizations. Other participants will include major lighting manufacturers from all over the world.

The conference will last three days (14 to 17 March 2010) and will be in the form of a series of tutorials, workshops and sessions. Academic and other experts will be exhibiting and presenting their work, while specific subjects will be tackled in greater detail.

CIE 2010 programme highlights include:

•Surveys of experimental projects
•Lighting techniques and scenarios
•Integrated approaches in lighting design
•Lighting quality criteria
•Future possible lighting schemes
•Methods to compare lighting installations
•Case studies of energy-efficient lighting
•Review of energy-efficient lighting control systems
•Energy efficiency and environmental compatibility
This conference will be of particular interest to those who are involved in the early, developmental stages of lighting technologies. It will cover energy-efficient lighting as well as the relationship between light and the body, solutions for the visually impaired and "intelligent" lighting systems.

IEC General Secretary and CEO Ronnie Amit commented, “This occasion offers an ideal opportunity for meeting and exchanging ideas about the future of lighting, both from an energy point of view and from a safety and technology aspect."