Rays of light for the former Soviet Union
Rays of light for the former Soviet Union
In the former Soviet Union, about 40 000 megawatts of electric power (12% of the total) is devoted to providing illumination.
Notably, the amount of electricity used for lighting is comparable to that provided by the region's 40 or so dangerous nuclear power plants, cited by the United Nations and even the former USSR's electricity industry itself as a source of growing concern. Last year's mishap at the Sosnovy Bor power plant near St. Petersburg focused increased attention on the problem.
One approach that can be considered is to promote energy-efficient lighting. A potential of more than 50% savings could be tapped with an intensive effort.
Although the increased use of CFLs and other efficient lighting systems is certainly not a panacea, it offers a good place to start. Compact fluorescent lamps have been made in the former USSR since around 1988, with approximately 500 000 produced in 1992 (including both integral and modular designs, ranging from 7 to 18 watts). While this is an impressive total on a per-capita basis it is only about 1% of the market penetration that exists today in Western Europe.
Until recently, CFL production has taken place only in the Russian town of Saransk. New plants will be built in Ryazan this year. The first production of CFLs outside of Russia is planned for the town of Poltava in the Ukraine.
Plans are underway to introduce larger CFLs (24 and 36 watts) and CFLs with electronic ballasts.
Contact:
Julian B Aizenberg
Tel: +7 095 287 87 46
See also A. Rosenfeld and E, Mills, "Simple Ideas Can Avoid Chernobyls", International Herald Tribune, 4 August 1992, and "Light from Glasnost" (IAEEL 3/93)