During a roundtable discussion on lighting trends and roadmaps, a panel of lighting experts discussed the future of LED lights around the world and in various industries.  It was agreed that the energy-saving benefits are driving the promising future of LED technology.  Panelists however were quick to caution LED developers of the hurdles they must overcome if they want to truly permeate the market in a significant and profitable way.   Some of the areas of improvement are being worked on now, and some may only affect certain markets in which the technology may emerge more heavily in future year.  The issues included the improvement of white-quality LEDs, decreasing the size of electronic ballasts, more feature-rich control systems and standardizing the LED modules communication.  The experts agreed that improving these items will open up new markets for LEDs

The panel sited Hollywood as a perfect example of an area where LEDs could save money for an industry, and make money for lighting developers, so long as users were provided the right control systems and heat controls by manufacturers.  LEDs discharge less heat, which, when used in large panels for movie sets, concert settings and the like, could bring down the cost of air conditioning and fan equipment.  Additionally, the brightness superiority and the color changing features create a myriad of designs, effects and mood lighting that can be used for a number of imaginative applications.  More of the panel’s discussion can be read at www.ebv.com/thequintessence.

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