Australian inventor designs LED streetlight

11 July 2007

Australian inventor Keith Higgins has developed a highly energy efficient streetlight based on LED technology.

It is claimed that the new streetlight uses 80% less power, has at least equivalent light strength (as measured in lux) and produces a broader spectrum light (400nm to 600nm lightwaves, or 4000-6000k ‘colour temperature’) which is easier on the human eye than many other streetlights.

In addition, it is claimed that the new lights run at lower temperatures than incandescent lights and fluorescent lights and have a life of 50,000 - 100,000 hours.

While Higgins' product is not yet commercially available, developments such as this indicate that LEDs may become a viable option for street lighting within the next 1-5 years.

Higgins recently featured on the ABC television show The New Inventors. For more information, visit the program website or contact Higgins directly via his website or email.

For more information about LED applications, see the LED section of Technologies.