Saving Energy– OIST receives Good Lighting Award
By Hisashi Gakiya
OIST has received a Good Lighting Award 2010 from the Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan (IEIJ) for the excellent illumination facilities in Laboratory 1. Good Lighting Awards are given to a person, corporation, or group that installs outstanding lighting plans, designs and systems.
At OIST Laboratory 1, about 90% of all the lights are LEDs. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is an electronic semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. Although LED lighting is still relatively costly, its longevity and energy efficiency helps save energy and ultimately reduces CO2 emissions. LEDs use approximately 25 percent less electricity than conventional light bulbs. As a result, the OIST campus can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 137 tons annually. Energy saving has become a key issue for Japan, especially after the Great East Japan earthquake. This award is in recognition of OIST’s contribution.
The award addressed to OIST President Sydney Brenner reads: ”I present this award in recognition of the excellent illumination facilities at OIST. I believe your effort will contribute to the advancement of lighting in Japan. Tomohiko Oono.”
