The DOE’s $12.2 million, three-part Lighting Prize (L-Prize®)—targeting commercial sector lighting and encouraging innovators to design energy-efficient systems—recognizes winners of Phase 1, the Concept Phase. Winners include:
- Project Tango, submitted by QuarkStar of Las Vegas. The networked, white-tunable luminaire concept leverages innovations in optics, LED and power conversion technology to deliver high-efficacy, exceptional quality of light, and precise control of light distribution.
- Sustainable and Connected Troffer Retrofit, submitted by Orion Energy Systems of Jacksonville, FL. The concept offers a high-efficacy, networked LED luminaire with advanced controls that can be retrofitted in less than two minutes to an existing fluorescent luminaire.
- Laterally Symmetrical Level 3 Engine for 3D Printing, submitted by Smash the Bulb/Bridgelux of Mountain View, CA. This 3D-printed, semi-indirect luminaire concept uses a high-performance light engine that requires no secondary optics and delivers high-efficacy and excellent quality of light; an innovative optical design that reduces losses and addresses glare; and a luminaire housing that can be 3D-printed on the jobsite.
- Papaya Modular Lighting Ecosystem, submitted by Papaya of Evanston, IL. This highly modular luminaire platform, designed by a team from outside the lighting industry, uses a unique community-based approach: an all open-source aspect offers opportunities for innovators of all types to participate in evolving and innovating this lighting solution over time.
L-Prize®-winning technology envisions LED products—designed for recycling and made with significant domestic materials—that demonstrate exceptional energy efficiency, data connectivity, seamless lighting control and excellent visual quality.
The competition provided an opportunity in the Concept Phase for participants (including known manufacturers as well as, nontraditional innovators such as, students, individuals and those outside the lighting industry) to receive feedback on their proposed innovations from an expert review panel made up of eight independent leaders from the lighting industry and academia. Concept Phase winners additionally received a $20,000 prize.
Entrants are welcome to submit to any phase of the contest. Phase 2, the Prototype Phase, opens this year and calls for prototype lighting systems allowing hands-on evaluation for technical performance and innovation. To learn more, visit: www.energy.gov.