EMerge Alliance Continues to Gain Support for DC Power Distribution Improving Energy Efficiency, Sustainability in Buildings
The EMerge Alliance – an open industry association leading the rapid adoption of safe, low-voltage dc power distribution and use in commercial building interiors – announced it has added 15 more companies to its coalition. Now more than 60-members strong, the Alliance continues to gain the support of building industry and technology leaders in a collaborative effort to bring greater energy efficiency and sustainability to new and existing facilities.
New members include Anderson Power Products, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, Leviton Manufacturing Company, Lunera Lighting, ROAL Electronics USA and Traxon Technologies USA at the Participating level; Electri-Cable Assemblies and Universal Lighting Technologies at the General level; ANL Lighting, Donnelly Kerley Builders, Emeral Tech, Integrated Design Associates, PICA Interconnect Solutions and Standard Solar at the Supporting level; and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) at the Liaison level.
In addition to broadening and deepening its membership base, the Alliance has also teamed with the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at the University of California – Davis, a research and education facility that was created to drive the adoption and commercialization of energy-efficient lighting technologies. EMerge has joined the CLTC’s public-private partnership as an affiliate to increase engagement with lighting innovators and contribute to the mission of improving efficiency and practicality of new technologies, like dc-based LED lighting.
"Our focus is on creating opportunities to accelerate the development and advancement of the latest technologies for lighting efficiency," said Konstantinos Papamichael, co-director of the CLTC. "We’re excited about the rapid progress that can be made with the new DC power platform and look forward to working with the EMerge Alliance to further the efforts to take lighting efficiency to the next level."
According to EMerge, on average, LEDs and solid-state lighting can be up to 10 to 15% more efficient in the hybrid ac-dc power distribution system established by the EMerge Alliance Standard. According to EMerge Alliance Chairman Brian Patterson, the CLTC has also signed on to provide resources and expertise to the Alliance in the product registration and evaluation process, which is now open to Governing, Participating and General Members of the Alliance.
"Working with the CLTC and its affiliates, we can make major strides in the movement for new lighting technologies and greener buildings," said Patterson. "As the Alliance moves forward, we will continue to partner with like-minded groups like the CLTC to further our progress toward application and interoperability of products based on the Standard."
