Implementation of Energy Efficient
Technology and Systems

Two distinctive implementation projects for energy efficient technology and systems were presented at the 23rd session of the CIE in New Delhi.

One concerning refurbishment of public lighting in the city of Tumacan, Argentina presented by C Kirschbaum et al (360) was particularly interesting for its large scale - 16.100 luminaires at the starting situation - and the typical constraints often found in large urban environments in Latin America. The project was started in 1993 by the municipality by putting out a call for tenders. Support and advice was given by a university research centre. The links, the discussions , the use of advanced equipment and local expertise produced an adequate response to social, economical and environmental demands.

The other contribution encompasses the transformation of "Polish lighting management as a part of political and economical transformation in Poland" by Jan Grzonkowski et al (452). This case is a good example of the difficult situation former social democratic countries face when they want to invest in energy efficient technology and systems in general.

Constraints are :

• closed domestic markets, isolated from world trade;
• non convertible currency;
• enormous foreign debts;
• not enough investment and energy consuming industry;
• collapse of traditional Comecon market.

Favourable circumstances are :

• relatively well and very well educated technical and scientific staff available;
• cheap labour.

Special attention is drawn at the position of the Polish Committee on Illumination and the transition it had to make from 1990 when governmental funding ceased until the situation today in which the work of the committee depends on sponsors.