Life Cycle Assessment of Incandescent, Fluorescent, Compact Fluorescent and Light Emitting Diode Lamps in an Indian Scenario

One of the major challenges for the emerging economies like India is the availability of electricity for its industrial growth and household consumption. Lighting accounts for almost 20% of total electricity demand of the country. It is estimated that by 2030 power consumption by lighting will increase to 120,000 GWh/year from 55,000GWh/year consumed currently. Majority of the lighting needs (40 million light points) in India are met by highly inefficient incandescent lamps. Therefore, Central Government of India has initiated a plan to replace the incandescent lamps by compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). But a section of policy makers has pointed out the end of life environmental hazards of CFLs. This study compares the environmental impacts of four lighting systems in India – incandescent lamp, fluorescent lamp, CFL, and light emitting diode lamps – throughout the life cycle of these lighting systems. The methodology is based on the application of the international standards of life cycle assessment. The environmental impacts generated during life cycle of each lighting system have been analyzed and the robustness of the results has been validated by sensitivity analysis. It is expected that the results will provide the required quantitative assessment of different lighting systems through their life cycle to the policy makers particularly in India.