Optoelectronics: green in more ways than one

29 October 2008 News

The Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA) concluded its Green Photonics forum recently, examining the role of optoelectronics in a sustainable future. The various segments represented at the forum developed trend maps reflecting the various ways that optoelectronics is enabling many aspects of the green revolution.

For the first time, OIDA is addressing the impact of photonics on the green movement. From solar and solid state lighting, to optoelectronics used in manufacturing and metrology for green products, improved communications efficiency to environmental sensing and remediation, optoelectronics is enabling or providing technology that reduces power, waste and pollution. The market for these products is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2015.

"While the optoelectronics industry has always focused on efficiency, mapping the broad array of green metrics can accelerate industry contributions to sustainable development," said Dr. Michael Lebby. "Optoelectronics will permeate all aspects of our lives, so green photonics is becoming a discipline."

The individual industries have unique interests, but what became clear from the forum was the wide number of ways in which the various communities share interests. These include common manufacturing methods and packaging systems, metrology needs, sensing and control, green metrics like energy balance and lifecycle waste management.

Currently, lighting consumes 20% of electricity, television around 5% and data centres around 1,2%, growing to 4-5% by the end of the decade. Including signage, computer displays, other optical networking equipment, and factoring in photovoltaic technology and optical sensing for smart management, it is clear that optoelectronics will have a significant impact. Trend maps developed at the forum will provide industry guidance on advancing a green agenda while maintaining economic benefits.

For more information visit www.oida.org

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