Page 150 - Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

Renewable Energies Technology and Smart Grid in China Chapter j 6 127

The attributes of a Chinese smart grid or third-generation grid are sub-
stantially beneficial. The following Here is a brief list of the important attri-
butes (of smart grid):
l Strong: robust and flexible are the basis for the future smart grid.
l Clean/green: the smart grid makes possible the large-scale use of clean
energy.
l Transparent: transmission grids, distribution grids, power system status and
its network can be monitored for data management.
l Efficient: improve the transmission efficiency, reduce operating costs, and
promote the efficient use of energy resources and electricity assets.
l Good interface: compatible with various types of power and user; promote
the generation companies and users to actively participate in grid regulation.

Light-Emitting Diode and Energy Efficiency Case Discussion

China offers fast growth business and market opportunities, and it is currently
the second largest economy in the world. Chinese investment in the Clean
Technology is very positive by its government and has significant efforts in all
related areas.
For example, Chinese government’s impact on energy efficiency field is
noteworthy. Beijing, the Chinese capital city, has pushed strongly on the
energy-efficient lighting especially on light-emitting diode technology (LED).
LED is a solid-state lighting product. One of Beijing city’s goals is to elimi-
nate incandescent lights in a few years. Currently, a consumer can buy 60-W-
equivalent LED light bulb for lighting for just a quarter of USD after both
discounts and government subsidies. Moreover, LED has attracted huge
market in the daily lives for the developed Yangtze Delta cities such as
Shanghai, Suzhou, and Wuxi.
In technology front, the latest LED technology delivers highly energy-
efficient solution. The LED lighting consumes nearly 80% less energy, lasts
much longer, and is environmentally better (without mercury involved in the
process) than an incandescent light bulb. According to the Bright Tomorrow
Lighting Prize, known as the “L Prize,” hosted by the US DOE, there are great
products like Philips LED and Cree LED lighting. For example, the Philips’
60 W equivalent LED bulb is coming to stores and can provide 900 Lumens
but consumes less than 10 W of energy. It can last 17-years if used 4-h daily.
By the way, this Philips product is the winner of the L Prize in August, 2011.
In comparison, an incandescent bulb has less than 2% energy conversion
efficiency from electric energy to light energy. The LED technology is has
better efficiency and is still maturing. There is a challenge in its thermal
management for its lifetime improvement. The limitation of its temperature
tolerance in current technology is being addressed through extensive efforts in
research and development investment worldwide.