A breakthrough LED driver that brings a smaller, cheaper, lighter and more environmentally friendly solution to the LED lighting industry.

Project Information

NRGDriver

Grant agreement ID: 808551

DOI

10.3030/808551

Project closed

EC signature date 31 January 2018

Start date 1 January 2018

End date 30 April 2018

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

NRGLED HOLDING B.V.
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NRGDriver (A breakthrough LED driver that brings a smaller, cheaper, lighter and more environmentally friendlysolution to the LED lighting industry.)

Reporting period: 2018-01-01 to 2018-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Lighting provides safety and security, provides access to education, enhances architecture, and improves quality of life. We take it for granted and often notice it only by its absence. The future of light is in LED technology. LED lamps are made of three major components: 1) The LED; 2) The luminaire; 3) The third component is less known: the driver. It is an electronic device, like a common transformer, but specifically adapted for LED use. LED drivers contribute up to 15-20% of the total cost of a LED light. Despite the advantages, LEDs now only generate 10%-15% of the ambient lighting. The price is high and buyers are insecure about lifetime and quality
While major advancements have been made in the LED itself, still all drivers are based on the concept of a switched-mode power supply and little progress been made in this area.
NRGLed uses a novel approach to manage power and temperature of LEDs. A way that reduces the amount of components, the size, the cost of LEDs. Less components means a longer lifetime and improved energy efficiency.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the feasibility assessment, the company delivered a clear product development plan and industrial plan for the commercialisation of NRGDriver. NRGLed greatly expanded their knowledge regarding the regulatory approval required for the European market launch. Also, the company achieved a greater understanding of the market position and the state-of-the-art of current competitors, and the advantage of NRGDriver and the company itself in comparison with them. The feasibility study showed the technical and commercial viability of NRGDriver.
To be commercialised NRGDriver requires the CE-mark and compliancy with the Low Voltage Directive. Pre-commercial trials were defined to help the company to prove its efficacy and to secure potential customers. The results of the trials will be communicated as a strategy to gain market traction.
NRGLed analysed in detail the go-to-market strategy and the customer segments to define the approach for accelerated and effective market uptake. The company selected Netherlands, Benelux, Germany, Denmark and UK, as the first target market, thanks to existing contacts with potential customers that the company has and the market traction of these countries in the lighting industry.
Considering the result of the feasibility assessment, it is worthy to follow up with the implementation of an industrialization and commercialization plan. The Phase 2 SME Instrument funding has been identified as a suitable funding solution.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Engagement actions are needed across Europe in order to achieve behavioural change towards more sustainable choices and decisions for energy. This includes increasing and understanding consumer 'appetite' for higher efficiency products. Eventually, this will contribute to reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint by smart and sustainable use of energy-efficient products and technologies like the NRGDriver. In addition, wider adoption of energy efficient devices, like the NRGDriver, can help to reduce consumers’ energy bills. Quality, lifetime and prices are end-users´ major concerns and also key criterions in the purchase decision. NRGDriver satisfies the needs of any LED lamp designer: lower in price, volume, weight and waste and with higher reliability and versatility.

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