The prototype tube lighting LED is said to be twice as efficient as those currently used in offices and industry across the globe, while offering the same amount of light.
Lighting is believed to account for almost 20 percent of global electricity consumption, therefore being able to halve the amount of energy used could potential bring huge cost and energy savings. The prototype tube lighting produces 200 lumens per watt (200lm/W) compared with 100lm/W for equivalent strip lighting and 15lm/W for traditional light bulbs.
"This is a major breakthrough in LED lighting and will further drive the transformation of the lighting industry," said Rene van Schooten, chief executive of light source and electronics at Philips. "It's exciting to imagine the massive energy and cost savings it will bring to our planet and customers.”
Philips expects the light to go on the market in 2015, initially to replace office lighting, while it hopes that in the long-term this technology could be seen as a true alternative to lighting currently used in the home.
