| Oct. 15, 2007 |
Duke Energy CONTACT:
Phone:
24-Hour:
|
Tom Shiel
704-382-2355
704-382-8333 |
| |
Cree Inc. CONTACT
Phone: |
Greg Merritt
919-287-7836 |
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In an effort to explore additional opportunities
to achieve energy efficiency, Duke Energy today announced a collaboration
with Cree Inc. in an evaluation project using Light-Emitting Diodes
(LED) for widespread commercial purposes.
As the first step in this collaboration, Cree installed 19 outdoor
LED parking lot lights at the company’s Durham corporate headquarters
to demonstrate the technology’s energy efficiency, longevity and
other operating characteristics. The units replace standard high-pressure
sodium light fixtures.
As the Duke-Cree collaboration develops, additional projects may
include other applications, such as indoor commercial office lighting
and parking deck lighting.
“Duke Energy has publicly pledged to be a leader in promoting
energy efficiency,” said Ted Schultz, Duke’s vice president of
energy efficiency. “Our save-a-watt proposal has us focused on
delivering more value to our customers, so we are actively looking
for ways to improve every product line in our portfolio.”
“We believe
LED technology holds tremendous potential for reducing both energy
consumption and equipment maintenance without compromising safety,”
Schultz added. “We believe this collaboration with Cree will further
demonstrate LEDs as a viable alternative to existing commercial
lighting technology.”
“LED technology has already been successful in applications including
traffic signals, accent lighting, outdoor signs and retail refrigeration
equipment,” said Charles M. Swoboda, chairman, president and CEO
of Cree. “Working with Duke Energy to evaluate advanced LED lighting
technology in outdoor and office lighting is a valuable step in
demonstrating LED’s quality, reliability and energy efficiency.”
Plans are for Advanced Energy and the Electric Power Research
Institute (EPRI) to join Duke Energy in this investigation to provide
an unbiased third-party perspective of this technology. Their primary
role will be collecting data, assuring research protocols are observed
and reporting the results of the demonstration project.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power companies in the
United States, supplies and delivers energy to approximately
4 million U.S. customers. The company has nearly 37,000 megawatts
of electric generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas,
and natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In
addition, Duke Energy has more than 4,000 megawatts of electric
generation in Latin America, and is a joint-venture partner in
a U.S. real estate company.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500
company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet
at: www.duke-energy.com.
Cree Inc.
Cree is a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors
and devices that enhance the value of solid-state lighting, power
and communications products by significantly increasing their
energy performance and efficiency. Key to Cree’s market advantage
is its world-class materials expertise in silicon carbide (SiC)
and gallium nitride (GaN) for chips and packaged devices that
can handle more power in a smaller space while producing less
heat than other available technologies, materials and products.
Cree drives its increased performance technology into multiple
applications, including exciting alternatives in brighter and more-tunable
light for general illumination, backlighting for more-vivid displays,
optimized power management for high-current, switch-mode power
supplies and variable-speed motors, and more-effective wireless
infrastructure for data and voice communications. Cree customers
range from innovative lighting-fixture makers to defense-related
federal agencies.
Cree’s product families include blue and green LED chips, lighting
LEDs, LEDs for backlighting, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless
devices. For additional product specifications please refer to www.cree.com.
EPRI
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducts research
on key issues facing the electric power industry on behalf of
its members, energy stakeholders and society. EPRI was
established as an independent, nonprofit center for public interest
energy and environmental research. EPRI brings together members,
participants, the Institute’s scientists and engineers, and other
leading experts to work collaboratively on solutions to the challenges
of electric power. These solutions span nearly every area
of electricity generation, delivery, and use, including health,
safety, and the environment. Its members represent more than
90 percent of the electricity generated in the United States,
and international participation represents nearly 15 percent
of our total research, development, and demonstration program.
EPRI has major locations in Palo Alto, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.;
and Knoxville, Tenn.
Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy is a Raleigh, N.C.-based non-profit that strives
to create environmental, economic and societal benefits through innovative
and market-based approaches to energy. The organization continues
to work collaboratively to demonstrate that industry, government
and non-profits can successfully work together to improve the environment
and encourage energy efficient economic development.
Training workshops and programs like NC GreenPower, the Plug-In Hybrid Electric
School Bus Project, NC Sustainable Building Design Competition and SystemVision
are ways in which Advanced Energy serves North Carolina and the nation to create
jobs, stimulate the economy and improve energy efficiency.
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