An Initiative Towards the Global Lighting Challenge for Kuwait^*

^*Originally published in the 2017 World Energy Engineering Congress Proceedings

ABSTRACT

Lighting accounts for 15% of global electricity consumption and contributes to 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In the 6th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) meeting, an initiative of COP21, Global Lighting Challenge (GLC) was endorsed by 13 countries including the USA and the European Commission. Currently 17 nations have joined this initiative that targets transitioning to energy efficient lighting.

Kuwait is among the highest per capita annual energy consumption countries. Kuwait consumes an average of 15 MWh/person/year surpassing industrialized countries. The high consumption pattern is attributed to subsidized electrical energy prices reaching up to 95%. The subsidy endured by the Kuwaiti Government is around $58 billion (USD) for some commodities including fuel and energy for the years 2016 through 2019. This monetary burden, with the current low oil prices, leads to a deficit in the national budget. The Kuwaiti Cabinet endorsed a plan to rationalize fuel prices while the electrical energy prices will be rationalized in some sectors. The residential sector will be the last sector to be considered to avoid political pressure.

To join in the global efforts in transitioning to energy efficient lighting, this article assessed the savings realized by replacing incandescent lamps, still used in Kuwait, with LEDs. The savings are estimated for the replacement of 10 lamps per home across 100,000 homes. The simple payback period for the Kuwaiti government is 9 months if the lamps are distributed free of charge. The savings are estimated at a cost of electrical energy of $0.10/kWh. An economically justified solution for the Kuwaiti government is provided to rationalize national energy consumption, reduce power demand, enhance consumer energy efficiency awareness and most importantly contributing to global efforts in transitioning to efficient lighting.

Keywords::

• Lighting
• initiatives
• energy consumption

Notes

^* Originally published in the 2017 World Energy Engineering Congress Proceedings

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dina AlNakib

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dina AlNakib, CLEP, CEA, is currently a Program Manager for the Flagship Projects Program, Research Directorate, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences. Dina has been involved in a number of projects in the field of power systems analysis, energy conservation, energy auditing with a specialty in lighting systems and green buildings assessments. Dina worked with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research in 1988 through 2014. She is a member of many international professional societies and associations including AEE, IESNA and ASHRAE. She has also served as Vice President for the AEE-Q8 chapter. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kuwait University. Dina AlNakib may be contacted via email at [email protected].

Fotouh Al-Ragom

Fotouh Al-Raqom, PhD, CEM, CEA, CSDP, is a research scientist at the Energy and Building Research Center (EBRC) of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). She is currently serving as the program manager for the Energy Efficient Technologies (EET) program at EBRC. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Kuwait University in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. She is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP), and Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). She is also a CEA trainer in Kuwait for the Association of Energy Engineers. She obtained several awards including the 2015 Distinguished Female Arab Engineer for Kuwait and the 2008 Emirates Energy Award. Her research interests include solar fuels, hydrogen production, and energy auditing and energy efficiency. She is a member of several professional organizations including AEE, ASHRAE, ASME, and CWEEL. She is serving as the AEE-Q8 chapter president since 2014. Fotouh Al-Raqom may be contacted via email at [email protected].

Sarah AlOsaimi

Sarah AlOsaimi is a research assistant at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. She is involved in projects related to energy efficiency, mainly HVAC and Lighting. She is also a designer of photovoltaic solar energy with experience in Polysun PV Simulation. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Management System Engineering from Kuwait University. She may be contacted via email at [email protected].