The result of the 2016 United States Presidential election has people in the environmental realm nervous, asking if the outcome will slow the growth of green technologies or reverse the advancements made in the last decade. For companies and manufacturers working in the LED lighting space, concerns especially surround the future of green lighting and LED lighting management systems. Businessmen and consumers alike wonder whether the new right-leaning leader of America will negatively impact the growth of the eco-friendly, LED-focused space.
The answer, of course is that he will not. The headlines may be grabbing the readers’ attentions, discussing potential new policies and how President-elect Trump and his colleagues do not necessarily believe in global warming or put necessary importance on other environmental issues. The more we hear about these controversial topics, the more frustrated and nervous we get. Contrary to what the media and other outlets might have us believe, though,the forecast growth of the LED lighting market and green lighting options in general looks very bright.
LED lighting is growing, as always, and will continue to grow regardless of the status of American politics. More and more consumers are making the switch to cost- and environmentally-friendly LED lighting management systems over traditional systems, cutting costs and improving ambiance in both indoor and outdoor lighting applications. Entertainment is booming, and LED lighting plays a huge factor in the overall effects on the stage. LED chip prices continue to decrease as more and more manufacturers produce them and patents on the technology expire. SMART building management systems and the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) keep LED lighting and LED systems at the forefront. As we become more connected as a society, increasingly connected lighting systems will continue to get more attention and have even more applications.
Though the U.S. election caused an uproar, the honest answer is that it will have very little impact on the growth of the LED market. In fact, President-elect Trump has huge business and economic plans that will help LED lighting growth explode in the next few years, including a U.S. infrastructure plan. The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will require new buildings heavily outfitted with LED lighting and SMART LED lighting connectivity to create all of the special effects necessary for a show-stopping Games.
We need to look past the craziness surrounding the election, especially since it was largely incited by the media looking for viral stories and boosts in ratings. The future of LED lighting is going to be just fine, and GRE Alpha can’t wait to be at the forefront of all future innovations and applications.
GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about LED drivers, dimming modules and accessories, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry Form. Sign up for the GRE Alpha newsletter to stay up-to-date on new products and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.
SMART cities are on the rise thanks to a global shift in environmental thinking and the ever increasing presence of the Internet of Things (IoT). Business and buildings are becoming more net carbon neutral, renewable energy applications are popping up everywhere, parks and greenery are a focus in urban areas, and SMART sensors are being implemented to maximize energy potential and minimize waste. As new SMART technologies and eco-friendly elements are added to day-to-day life, everything from traffic patterns to purchasing will improve and people will become happier and healthier.
In fact, SMART cities are making names for themselves on all continents around the world. In Barcelona, more than 100 active SMART city projects are in place: electric cars, open-source data networks, SMART traffic lights and LED street lamps, digitalized bus stops with free Wi-Fi and device charging ports, trash receptacles monitoring waste levels to make sure they are only emptied when they are full, and sensors that monitor humidity and rain to improve irrigation efforts, among others. London is home to nearly 400 smartphone apps designed to improve transportation, including maps, schedules, urban planning concepts, “congestion charging” through license plate recognition in city centers, SMART parking solutions, and public transport-prioritizing traffic lights.
Similarly, Seoul boasts under-road online electric vehicle technology (OLEV) that allows electric public buses to charge as they go, telehealthcare checkups for elderly and disabled patients, and SMART work centers to reduce commuting. Another South Korean SMART city, Songdo, is home to next-generation Wi-Fi, eco-buildings, IoT-enabled smart homes, underground waste processing facilities, and more. Other cities around the world—like Helsinki, Copenhagen and Singapore—are offering similar SMART technology solutions, proof that IoT and SMART living is only going to become more prevalent as time goes on.
SMART technology is revolutionizing business and retail practices. Offices can now implement SMART sensors that will recognize an individual’s smart device and automatically adjust lighting and temperature settings to match that person’s preferences. Shopping carts will scan items that are lowered into them, creating a running tally of purchasable items, registering the total, and charging patrons through a smartphone app as they leave the retail establishment. Street lighting brightens and dims as pedestrians pass to help reduce crime rates and enhance individuals’ well-being. The applications are endless.
GRE Alpha’s LED powering solutions are driving the evolution of SMART lighting. With LED dimming that can match any ambiance or application in either indoor or outdoor settings, LED lighting can be paired with SMART technology to accomplish more than ever. SMART LED lighting will automatically brighten or lower in a variety of colorings based on time of day or the preferences of the person in the room. It will illuminate when connected to a motion detector, enhancing home security systems and alerting smart phones when that sensor is activated. These applications and many more pair perfectly with the rise of IoT and SMART technology, making GRE Alpha a preferred partner in the evolution of SMART lighting.
GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading edge LED lighting solutions. For more information about LED drivers, dimming modules and accessories, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry Form. Sign up for the GRE Alpha newsletter to stay up-to-date on new products and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.
As LED lighting grows in acceptance and popularity, so does the need for better and more ranging color quality. Traditionally, LED lighting gave off a stark white, cool glow that was harsh on the eyes and made it difficult to use as a primary lighting source. Warm-dim LED technology has toned down that cool coloring, dynamically shifting the current and future applications of LED lighting management systems. Dimmability with a warm glow effect creates more opportunities than ever for LED lighting management systems.
Gradual warm dimming allows users to dim LED lighting levels in the same tones as traditional bulbs, creating a cozier, less clinical affect. In a market already featuring both indoor and outdoor options, stage and entertainment applications, and opportunities for industrial lighting, warm-dimming has an important place in the LED space.
LEDs have traditionally dimmed at the same color temperature as when they were at full power. With the advent of warm dimming solutions, LEDs are now able to produce the same aesthetically pleasing effects as an incandescent light or halogen lamp. This occurs because of red or amber LEDs added to the fixture or lamp, creating an effect that is particularly suitable for application in homes, restaurants, hotels, spas, resorts and other locations where the intended atmosphere is cozy or relaxing. Warm dimming enhances the aesthetics of LED lighting, simultaneously enhancing the well being of individuals in LED-lit environments.
GRE Alpha’s Tunable White SLD-DimTW Dimming Module is the perfect solution for VC-type dim-to-warm and warm dimming applications. A constant voltage tunable white LED dimming module, this unique 0-10V/1-10V device provides a control signal and enables smooth, dynamic color temperature shifts of 2000K to 8000K. Depending on the application situation, this plug-and-play dimming module creates eye-catching, color temperature changing effects without color distortion. Offering unparalleled efficiency, the Tunable White SLD-DimTW dimming module is a pioneer in LED lighting, creating options for easy upgrade and color tuning that greatly improve the warmth dynamics of lighting.
Looking for further enhanced or added functions in LED lighting applications? GRE Alpha’s Two Channel SLD-DIM2 0-10V Dimming Module and 7-in-1 Dimming Module (model XDL-7DV1-48V5A) offer further options in warm dimming. The Two Channel dimming module offers 0/1-10V PWM dimming with no shift in LED color temperature, up to 1024 dimming levels of high resolution smooth dimming and 97 percent efficiency. Additionally, GRE Alpha’s 7-in-1 LED dimmer provides full range zero to 100 percent high resolution dimming performance for constant voltage LED dimming applications. Boasting flexibility and easy installation, the 7-in-1 has a multi-colored LED indicator, integrated strain release cover, settable dimming transfer characteristics (linear or logarithmic), and built-in thermal shutdown with auto restart and overload protection.
Visit www.grealpha.com for more information on these and other products.
GRE Alpha is committed to innovation and to delivering high-quality, leading-edge LED LED lighting solutions. For more information about LED drivers, dimming modules and accessories, or to speak with a GRE Alpha product expert, visit the Enquiries page and fill out the Enquiry Form. Sign up for the GRE Alpha newsletter to stay up-to-date on new products and for early access to other GRE Alpha news.
HONG KONG (November 8, 2016)—For the fifth consecutive year, GRE Alpha has successfully exhibited at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) Autumn International Lighting Fair held from October 27 to 30, 2016.
GRE Alpha’s booth, located in the prestigious Hall of Aurora at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featured demonstrations of several top-of-the-line products and their applications, including wireless dimming, tunable white dimming, a 7-in-1 dimming LED strip, XLAV series constant voltage TRIAC dimming, daisy chain AC/DC LED driver, and a display of the new XSP300 high power LED driver.
GRE Alpha staff enjoyed networking and communicating with guests from all over the world, as well as meeting with several current and future clients. Visitors to the GRE Alpha exhibition booth represented multiple industries and applications such as architectural signage, signage lighting, decorative lighting, stage lighting, street lighting and store lighting, among others. Staff were happy to have had communication with current clients to extend their product applications and discuss market trends in wireless dimming. Some conversations will inspire future product development in GRE Alpha’s line of LED drivers.
In addition to exhibiting at booth 1CON-003, GRE Alpha displayed a hanging banner and a light box in the exhibition center.
The Autumn International Lighting Fair, a display of the latest technologies in lighting technology, saw more than 2,650 exhibiting companies from 37 countries and regions. With thousands of booths and displays, plenty of networking events for exhibitors and buyers, and an entire agenda of forums and seminars, the tradeshow was a huge success.
GRE Alpha looks forward to showcasing even more innovative products at future tradeshows and events, including the Japan Messe Lighting Fair and Light Fair International in Philadelphia, PA, USA.
For more information on the exhibited products, click here. To contact a GRE Alpha service representative and schedule a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert, visit https://grealpha.com/contact/.
GRE Alpha Team
HONG KONG (October 20, 2016)—GRE Alpha recently attended the 2016 Global Source Mobile Electronics Show Smart Living Showcase, demonstrating how its innovative, top-of-the-line lighting management products can offer intelligent lighting control solutions. Throughout this AsiaWorld-Expo tradeshow, which was held at Hong Kong International Airport and concluded on October 21, 2016, GRE Alpha’s team members were proud to showcase the state-of-the-art applications of its wireless SmartDIM LED dimming module.
Offering constant voltage, wireless and ZigBee-enabled dimming supporting up to 240 Watts of power, wide range DC input at 8 to 48 volts, high efficiency up to 95 percent, a high precision ratio, compatibility with IEEE 802.15.4 ZigBee Light Link-enabled devices, suitability for LED lighting and signage applications, easy installation and a compact size, GRE Alpha’s wireless LED SmartDIM dimming module proved to be the perfect kitchen lighting accompaniment and ambiance creator.
Through proven quality dimming performance and an overall intelligent system design, many visitors were impressed to witness the pairing of the SmartDIM dimming module with an iPad. The iPad was then able to control the dimming and ambiance of the kitchen’s overhead lighting due to the wireless compatibility of the SmartDIM dimmer. The project effectively demonstrated that the future ofIoT smart LED lighting control in a home setting has officially arrived.
GRE Alpha looks forward to showcasing more innovative products and to seeing loyal customers and partners like you at the 2016 Hong Kong International Lighting Fair. Visit www.hktdc.com and click on “Events” for more information about—or to register for—the biggest annual lighting event in Asia. To contact a GRE Alpha service representative and schedule a one-on-one appointment with a technical expert, visit https://grealpha.com/contact.