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U.S. Department of Energy honors Philips for significant advancement in LED lighting


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Award recognizes highly-anticipated LED replacement lamp to be launched in late 2009

Burlington, MA, United States – Philips Color Kinetics has been honored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), receiving an award for “Significant Achievement in Solid-State Lighting Research & Development.” The award recognizes Philips’ exceptional progress in the development of a highly efficient LED PAR lamp, or replacement “bulb,” which is on target for commercial availability later this year.

According to test results, Philips’ lamp in development is already significantly more efficient than comparable LED PAR 38 lamps on the market, and almost five times more efficient than most incandescent lamps. With an ultimate performance target of approximately 70 lumens of light per watt of energy, the fully realized lamp will meet or exceed the efficacy (or lumens per watt) of nearly all existing conventional light sources. By comparison, incandescent PAR lamps typically generate between 12 – 15 lumens of light per watt of energy.

The project is being funded by a $1.7 million grant from the DOE. It incorporates advanced LED package and system integration technology plus novel, highly efficient driver technology and a unique optical arrangement – accounting for all the layers required to make LEDs truly useful for general illumination.

The role of lighting as a major factor in energy consumption has most recently been reflected in the new U.S. Administration’s own goal to update public buildings with sources that are more efficient. Lighting accounts for 22% of America’s total electricity use, yet most of today’s buildings are lit by dated systems that lack the efficiencies of newer technologies such as LEDs. A 2006 DOE report estimated that the use of solid-state lighting could yield $228 billion in energy savings over 20 years.

“More than purely a research project, this program has clear-cut performance and commercialization goals that will drive LED sources further into mainstream lighting,” said Jeff Cassis, CEO of Philips Color Kinetics. “The call for energy-efficient lighting choices has never been greater, and we’re on track to deliver a fully integrated lamp with widespread market potential.”

While LEDs have become viable for a fast-growing number of applications – from architectural flood lighting to retail display lighting – there is tremendous demand for replacement lamps or bulbs that match the look, feel and simple socket-base of traditional sources. To achieve this in a high-quality, cost-effective fashion is an engineering feat, in part because of optical and thermal issues that are unique to LEDs, and is widely considered one of the most important advancements on the path to mainstream lighting. Philips’ lamp, an LED-based PAR 38, is intended to make it very simple to replace existing sources without sacrificing quality of light and ease of use.

PAR 38 lamps are round spotlight bulbs that typically utilizes incandescent, halogen or High Intensity Discharge (HID) technologies – none of which can match the energy efficiency and long source life of LEDs. Philips’ lamp is being developed for use in commercial interiors such as retail shops, offices, hotels and other spaces where recessed can lights or track lighting systems commonly use PAR 38 bulbs.

Philips views LED technology as integral to the future of energy-efficient lighting, first for commercial spaces and eventually for residential applications as well. Performance trends suggest that LEDs have tremendous potential given their long source life, durability, use of non-toxic materials, lack of radiated heat and UV, higher quality of light output and flexibility to accommodate wide-ranging fixtures and form factors. Moreover, as inherently digital devices, LEDs produce light that can be intelligently controlled to dynamically customize environments, from restaurants and retail shops to homes and even automobiles.

Philips participates in numerous government and industry initiatives related to energy conservation. As a founding member of the Next Generation Lighting Industry Alliance, the company has helped to develop a technology roadmap for the DOE as well as Energy Star criteria for LED lighting. Philips also played an instrumental role in the formation and leadership of the Lighting Efficiency Coalition, and last year received a Champion of Energy Efficiency Award from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy – largely for leading the charge to phase out inefficient incandescent lamps in the U.S. market.

About Philips Color Kinetics

Philips Color Kinetics transforms environments through dynamic and more efficient uses of light. Its award-winning lighting systems and technologies apply the benefits of LEDs as a highly efficient, long lasting, environmentally friendly, and inherently digital source of illumination - reinventing light itself as a highly controllable medium. Headquartered in Burlington, MA, USA, Philips Color Kinetics is the leading center of innovation and product development for Philips’ global LED lighting systems business. The organization also enables widespread adoption of LED lighting through OEM partnerships in diverse markets. More information is available at http://www.colorkinetics.com.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.



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