Lighting: riding the Renovation Wave

December 04, 2020

Lighting is the easiest and least intrusive way to make buildings more energy efficient and smart. Building renovation is at the heart of the EU Green Deal.

The European Commission recently announced a historic proposal to renovate 35 million buildings in Europe to high standards of energy efficiency by 2030.

The Renovation Wave initiative is a part of the EU Green Deal, Europe’s strategy to become carbon neutral by 2050, and a stimulus measure to revitalize the European economy.

It’s positive to see that building renovation is squarely in the Commission’s crosshairs not least opportunities to increase the energy efficiency of buildings. Europe’s buildings account for 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and more than a third of CO2 emissions. Therefore, it goes without saying that improving the energy efficiency of building stock is critical to the EU achieving its climate targets and for Europe to become a carbon neutral continent.

I’m proud that, in September, my company joined the small but growing number of organizations that have achieved carbon neutral operations. This could not have been achieved without investing in energy efficient technologies. Lighting is often overlooked as the easiest and least intrusive way to make buildings more energy efficient. In most instances it is as quick and simple as changing a light bulb.
 

In Europe, more than 220 million buildings (85% of the EU building stock) were built before 2001. Yet, according to the EU, the weighted annual energy renovation rate is low at some 1%. This needs to rise to at least 3%.

Commercial LED lighting has been around for more than a decade. It’s been a gamechanger, given that it consumes around 50% less electricity than conventional lighting. By switching completely to high energy-efficient LEDs, we estimate that Europe can save up to €40 billion and decrease carbon emissions by about 100 million tonnes per year. That’s the same beneficial impact as carbon stored by 53 million hectares (130 million acres) of forest. But this is only the beginning.

Connected lighting systems turn light sources into data points that can be precisely managed, delivering light when and where it’s needed. For example, sensors can detect and adjust the output based on available daylight or switch lights off when no one is in a room. These systems can save an additional 30% of electricity.

In my opinion, circular LED lighting should be mandatory for cities and municipalities. Buildings, public spaces and road networks are responsible for more than half of a city’s electricity use. Through circular LED connected lighting, municipalities can realize massive electricity savings, potentially eliminating the need for new power stations.
 

To summarise, lighting has a central role in helping to make Europe’s buildings greener and more energy efficient. It directly supports the EU’s digital future and building renovation is indeed “a jobs machine”. If we are to build back better, and create a greener, smarter more prosperous Europe, then we all need to have that lightbulb moment.