LED The light source of the future
Interview Lighting designer Torsten Braun talks about the future of LED lighting
Everyone is talking about lighting solutions that use LEDs. What, in your opinion, are the advantages of this latest-generation light source? These light sources have a very long service life and are efficient. Because they give off relatively little heat, they can be placed close to an object or even in an object.
of LEDs will be exploited effectively by tapping into the creative, artistic possibilities offered by LEDs during the luminaire development process. Like the car industry, which, in the early 20 th century, was still fitting engines in carriages, we stand at the start of a development path which will be long and no doubt exciting.
What are the main application areas where you use LED luminaires? To set facades centre stage in outdoor areas. For illuminated surfaces and decorative light lines in indoor locations and, nowadays, more and more for indirect illumination in lighting coves, e.g. in shopping malls.
In your opinion, which application areas will benefit most from LED development? I think retail area lighting and outdoor lighting applications are bound to benefit most from LEDs but museum lighting will also reap the benefits of gentle LED light. LED luminaires can replace conventional low-voltage halogen luminaires for retail area lighting in an energy-efficient manner without any loss of quality. There is already appreciable demand for LED-based wide-area backlighting and cove lighting. It is possible to envisage LEDs replacing certain HIT lamps in the near future. Where LEDs replace conventional lamps, the “cold” light produced by LEDs also makes it possible to reduce heat input.
Do LEDs also have weaknesses, and what do you think they are? LEDs had unsatisfactory colour rendition characteristics until relatively recently. There are also huge differences in LED quality, and you get what you pay for. If an installation is expected to operate profitably over a relatively long period, uniform LED grades – or “binnings” – must be selected. Maintenance and replacement of faulty components must be addressed and clarified. High standards, in terms of delivery reliability and vertical range of manufacture, must be applied in order to vet potential suppliers. And how will the application areas for LEDs change in the future? Where do you see the biggest growth potential? LEDs will first replace today’s established light sources in accent lighting, then they will gradually find their way into wide-area lighting, starting with luminous ceilings. Colourful lighting using light emitting diodes will become less important. I don’t think LEDs will replace all current light sources, after all, the incandescent bulb didn’t do away with the candle. The first thing they will do is to create new ways of using light. The full potential
Because of the compact design of LEDs, in outdoor lighting there will be a tendency to dispense with illumination and position light on the actual building. This has positive side effects: less energy is consumed and there is less risk of light pollution and light nuisance. How do you see the future development of LED lighting? LED downlights can definitely replace downlights that use compact fluorescent lamps. Even lighting using LED spotlights is an important trend in LED lighting. Some products offer the ability to adjust colour temperature individually to suit the relevant requirements, thereby influencing the ambience in a targeted manner – this is a major advantage.