The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced six winners of the Prototype Phase, the second phase, in the rigorous DOE Lighting Prize (L-Prize) competition in October. The competition is meant to spark groundbreaking innovation in next-generation commercial buildings, with regards to energy efficiency, connectivity and controls, visual quality, environmental sustainability and attention to DEI in lighting design, manufacturing and application. Competitors submitted working prototypes that exceed the capabilities of currently available products in two categories: Luminaires and Connected Systems. The six winners, sharing a prize pool of $2 million, are as follows:
Luminaire Track Winners:
- Generation Flex: Light Without Compromise;Signify Innovation, Bridgewater, NJ
- Low-Carbon Biodegradable Luminaire;Lightly, Boothwyn, PA
- Helios HPR-LP160;Grid Interactive Efficient Building Alliance (GiEBA), San Diego, CA
Connected System Track Winners:
- Interact Next-Gen Light the Way to Building Goals; Signify Innovation, Bridgewater, NJ
- Autani Insights 4REAL, with Sensing by Leviton; Autani and Leviton, Columbia, MD
- Bluetooth Mesh Wireless Lighting Control System; McWong International, Sacramento, CA
Prize winners are encouraged to participate in the third and final phase, Manufacturing and Installation, which will reward U.S. manufacturing and installation of lighting systems with regards to life-cycle sustainability, increased DEI in the lighting workforce and efficient use. For more information about the L-Prize and further details about Phase Two winners, visit www.energy.gov.