March/April 2020

Lighting industry disruption continues with light-emitting diode (LED) market penetration accelerating and domestic U.S. manufacturing base for lamps of all types shrinking. Reduced barriers to market entry and falling production costs allowed new manufacturers to join an industry that was once dominated by a few large companies. In turn all these factors have contributed to acquisitions, mergers, and spin-offs as organizations adapt to a changing landscape.

The disruption has also had a positive effect. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that, although overall electricity usage in the U.S. increased about 1 percent per year, since the start of the 21st Century, electricity   use for lighting has decreased 57 percent in commercial and industrial applications. With LED efficiencies reaching more than 120 lumens/watt, manufacturers and consumers alike are beginning to expect more from their lighting than energy efficiency. The benefits of next-generation LEDs outlined in this magazine issue concentrate on consumer preference, convenience, and security—without the loss or mention of efficiency. For example, Li-Fi is an optical networking technology that brings wireless connectivity to a new level utilizing LEDs to transmit data securely within a specific space. The emerging technology of quantum dots used in lighting (QLEDs), also has shown encouraging promise of heightened color control and flexibility.

As lighting technologies continue to advance and change, the industry leaders within NEMA contribute materially with technical Standards that assure lighting quality and allow product differentiation in all areas. For instance, new LED Standards have been developed for outdoor lighting, linear tube fit-systems, LED driver communication, energy reporting, and standby power. Just as importantly, our technical work reinforces NEMA advocacy for prudent and judicious regulations. Often it is the technical depth-of-argument NEMA brings to regulatory and legislative processes that determines the outcome. ei

Kevin J. Cosgriff
NEMA President and CEO