DOE pushes use of LED lighting system

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Energy (DOE) is intensifying efforts to push for the use of energy efficient lighting systems (EELS).

In line with this, Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) administrator Francis N. Tolentino, Roger V. E. Buendia of Philippine National Oil Co. Renewables Corp. (PNOC-RC) and Philips Electronics and Lighting Inc. for a full mutual cooperation in advocating the use of EELS at the 280-meter long Mandaluyong City EDSA tunnel. 

The MOA stipulates the roles and responsibilities of the project partners.

Philips, on the other hand, will be providing the lighting systems while PNOC-RC will design the solar modules.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will contribute lithium batteries and related accessories.

DPWH, for its part, will be in charge with the mounting structures, enclosures and electrical installation.

Once completed, the project will then be turned over to MMDA and the City of Mandaluyong.

This project, dubbed as the Boni Tunnel Efficient Lighting System, involves the installation of the first energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) powered by solar energy. 

LEDs are ideal for illuminating roadway inside the tunnel since less heat from lighting is emitted.

The service life of the LED master lamps is about 30,000 hours and can save up to P240,000 a year in electricity expenditure for Mandaluyong City. 

The grid-interactive photovoltaic system will power the 47 tubular LEDs along Boni Tunnel.

The success of this project, particularly the use of energy efficient lighting, is expected to create a template for replication in other similar site applications and is seen to revolutionize the country’s major roadways, the DOE said.