While Compact Fluorescent Bulbs have barely been seen in various parts of the world and incandescent lighting still rules in others, two Japanese companies already want to change them for LEDs – straight tube LED lamps, which, they say, are much more economical.

October is National Energy Awareness Month, and to celebrate this joyous eco-occasion, we’ve compiled a list to help you reduce your energy consumption and shrink your footprint even more. Switching to fluorescent lighting and turning the thermostat down are great energy saving starters, but if you’re looking to go the extra mile to save energy in your home, these tips are for you.

After renewing the house, Mr Hieu and his wife decide to reuse the decorative since they thought it is still very new. However, being put into use, the chandelier has caused a complicated problem as it consumes a lot of electricity and is very hot. The chandelier has three tiers, with about 26 40W bulbs, so it consumes 1.040W per lighting hour. Then the chandelier has been“retired” once again after a month.

It seems that we are finding a new use for solar power everyday. Whether its grid-tie applications, lighting, or backup power, solar is rapidly becoming our green energy alternative of choice. Solar is rapidly evolving as the technology and applications for it are changing daily. In this light, here are 3 great contests that are stretching the limits of what solar can be used for and may just change the way we use energy in our everyday lives.

As one of three companies of which products are labeled as “Vietnam Energy Star”, the Rang Dong Light Source And Vacuum Flask Joint Stock Company proves its leading position in producing lighting equipment which has high quality, save energy and does less harms to the environment.

The phase-out of incandescent light bulbs is part of the EU's strategy to cut greenhouse gases by 20% by 2020. Replacing the old lamps with more efficient models is expected to reduce energy consumption for lighting by 60% in the EU, equivalent to saving 30 million tons of CO2 pollution every year.

Apart from awareness in all the company, LaVie has also decided to invest in new technology as a way to reduce energy consumption. The deputy general director reveals that her company will replace all energy-consuming air compressors by smaller ones that fit the capacities of the current production lines. In addition, it has changed its lighting systems to LED lamps, and reduced water use as a way to cut energy consumption as well.

We all know LED as being the flagship of green lighting, but what if those so-called “efficient” LEDs turned out to be even more energy-effective under certain conditions? The Kyoto University, in collaboration with Stanley Electric Co Ltd found a way to increase the emission intensity of silicon-based thin films by several times.

Along with many lighting systems which have been improved and decorated to serve the 1000 year Celebration of Thang Long-Hanoi, the lighting system at Thien Quang Lake area is one of the early completed projects and has been put into use ahead of 2nd September - the National Day.

Two co-authors Nguyen Trong Kien and Nguyen Van Hoang of Nguyen Hoang Tuy Company (Ho Chi Minh City) have successfully implemented a system for remote control and supervision of public lighting, detection of electrical leak system via SMS. Accordingly, in addition to remote controlling lighting of public lamps, the system is also capable of detecting current leakage status and reporting to the management department for prompt react.

The new bus shelter was designed and installed by Solade Concepts based in Corona, CA. The solar structure consists of products and solutions proposed by Go Green Solar, based in Los Angeles, CA, which include six SANYO HIT-210NKHA6 210-watt HIT Power® solar panels with six Enphase Energy M210-84-240-S12 micro inverters and a LED lighting solution in an on-grid solar system.

Engaging in the program of cleaner production and energy efficiency in industry of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, annually, the company saves billions of dong thanks to technical improvements, energy saving and environmental protection by a series of measures: internal management, lighting system improvement, and equipment replacement.

Only with 4 simple solutions including: improving the lighting system, disposing of and replacing motors with speed regulator, re-using condensed water and rearranging paper pulp containers, the company has saved more than VND130 million each year. At present, company leaders with technical experts are studying efficient energy saving solutions.

That is precise data calculated on actual energy consumption for lighting of Vietnam announced by Dr. Vu Minh Mao, Chairman of Vietnam lighting association at the seminar "Effective Lighting and Energy Conservation "held in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh.

In the early July, in Ha Long city, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (VNEEP) cooperated with Quang Ninh People’s Committee to organize “Effective energy saving lighting models in Northern provinces” media event. The event will contribute to propagate policies and develop public highly efficient lighting models as part of VNEEP.

Like other cities in the central region, Quy Nhon faces difficulties in raising capital sources, therefore, the expenditure for high-efficiency public lighting remains limited. Most of the investment capital for implementing public lighting projects comes from the local budget.

Energy Efficiency Office - Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently hosted a meeting with Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) on the project "Supporting pilot production of commercial products using high-efficiency LEDs". The project is a part of the activities under Vietnam Energy Efficiency Program to enlarge the market for commercial products using high-efficiency LEDs.

On the morning of June 15, 2010, in coordination with the Energy Conservation Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Infrastructure Department and the Urban Development Department of the Ministry of Construction, and the Vietnam Energy Efficient Public Lighting (VEEPL) project, the Vietnam Urban Lighting Association and the Anh sang & Cuoc song (Light & Life) magazine organized a workshop to discuss the role of the media in ensuring efficient use of energy for lighting purposes.

The positive trend of sustainable development has made lighting firms realize their responsibility to create “green” values with research and development, in order to develop environment-friendly products, improving life quality of people.

The Vietnam project ‘Building four-chamber conveyor-type ceramic brick furnaces using rice husk gasification technology’ will be honored the 2009 Energy Globe Award in a ceremony to be held on June 3, 2010 in Rwanda.