Enter the efficient lighting design competition

Resourceful designers once again have the opportunity to harness their creativity and technological know-how for a good cause – and the chance to win handsome cash rewards.

Eskom’s Energy Efficient Lighting Design Competition for 2014 challenges both the novice and the seasoned to come up with their own, unique fusion of flair and functionality, efficiency and aesthetic appeal in designing an energy-efficient lamp.

Eskom is inviting high school pupils, students and professional designers to think outside the box and submit imaginative lamp designs that not only work, but that are also pleasing to the eye. As the name of the competition implies, it is of major importance that all designs make use of energy-efficient light sources.

Secondly, professional designers are also invited to submit innovative energy-efficient designs, systems or products that are suitable for residential applications. These may include, for example, a complete lighting system that caters for a low-cost housing development. Once again, the key word is energy-efficiency.

Eskom identified energy efficiency as a strategic priority, it is an essential part of effective resource utilisation and environmentally sustainable technologies and practices.

Through the promotion of energy efficiency, Eskom strives to establish an energy efficient culture in South Africa, not only in the commercial and industrial sectors, but also in the residential area, thus in everyday life. It must become a way of living and incorporated in every aspect of human life.

Since compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) hit the market, it has become more and more apparent that existing lamp designs are not suitable for use in conjunction with new energy-efficient technologies. To address this dilemma, Eskom launched this competition to encourage new designs that will demonstrate the fact that efficient lighting technologies can, in fact, be used in contemporary and attractive luminaires intended for residential lighting.

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Celebrate 20 years of democracy’. The closing date for this competition is 15 August.

At R200 000, the total prize money definitely warrants participation, while the registration of a new patent, of course, also holds lucrative possibilities for the patent holder.

The competition is supported by the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMiSA), the Illuminating Engineering Society of South Africa (IESSA), the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi), Voltex, Eskom eta Awards and 49M campaign, the SABS, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), Gauteng Department of Education and the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers.

Full details are available on the following website: www.lighting-design.co.za, or from the competition organisers at 021 949 7419 or 083 293 2848 or via e-mail at karin@dalajunction.co.za.