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As the name suggests, Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) is a compact form of fluorescent lamp that incorporates permanently all elements necessary for starting and stable operation of the lamp. CFL or Energy Saving Lamp (ESL) is a kind of Energy Efficient Lamp (EEL), which gives us required lumen by consuming comparatively less power.
As CFL is self ballasted and physically compact it provides us a very nice and hassle-free lighting solution. Because of high-energy conversion efficiency, long life, environment friendly nature, CFL is considered to be the ultimate lighting solution for today and tomorrow’s world.
CFL can play vital role in saving energy. Energy can be saved up to 80% by replacing traditional incandescent lamp with CFL.
Our country is going through a tremendous power crisis. Lack of electricity is resisting the ample growth in almost all sectors in Bangladesh. This power crisis can be alleviated to a great extent by replacing all contemporary lighting source with energy efficient CFL.
The electricity generation of our country is now 3,500 MW/day against 4,500 MW/day demand. A large amount of this generated power is used by incandescent lamp, roughly near about 30%. If Energy Saving Lamp replaces all these incandescent lamps then 700-1,000 MW of energy will be saved a day and thus can allay the problem of power shortage. CFL is the right tool to face the growing demand of electricity. The cost associated with constructing a new power plant of same capacity is much more than the cost of replacing the traditional lighting loads with CFL. If 700 MW incandescent lighting load is replaced by CFL load than it would save an amount of 2,352 crore taka with an expenditure of 175 crore for installing CFL.
The most important factor for electricity consumers is the bill that they are charged against their total power consumption. So they always want to minimize their power consumption. CFL can play a vital role in this regard. CFL saves up to 80% of electricity for the same lumen output. The price of CFL may seem a little bit higher than the normal incandescent lamp but note that the lifetime of CFL is 10 times higher than the incandescent lamp. So in the long run the cost of using CFL and incandescent lamp is almost same.
It has been calculated that by replacing one incandescent lamp with a CFL, one can save at least 1,950.00 taka in its lifetime (10,000 Hrs).
Compact fluorescent lamp uses 80% less energy to produce the equivalent light output comparing with an incandescent bulb. This saving of energy is a vital step towards the conservation of our natural resources. Energy Saving Lamps also provides less Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions than the conventional lamps, which is a relief from global warming and air pollution, which may eventually lead to acid rain and Green House effect.
The barrier of extensive use of CFL is its price. The existing price can be lowered down if government takes proper initiatives. If government eases the duty on imported components, domestic manufacturers of CFL can reach to all people of the country with lower price.
According to the energy consumption pattern of REB specially, the domestic houses consume the major portion of the electrical energy. In reference to the studies conducted by different organizations, the main energy-consuming appliance in the domestic sector is the electrical lighting source. Most of the consumers of REB use incandescent lamp for lighting. The consumers of REB mainly live in villages and most of their economic condition is not suitable enough to buy Energy Saving Lamp. So REB can introduce this new energy saving lighting technology under various loan schemes. PDB, DESA, DESCO can also think about this loan scheme to introduces CFL to poor people living in the cities.
Because of versatility and compactness CFL is going to be the ultimate solution for all kinds of lighting needs. The increasing variety in shape and color and small size has made them more versatile and acceptable than the traditional long tube light. Considering the huge utility of CFL, some countries are going to ban incandescent lamp in near future. CFL has a potential market in our country also. So if Bangladesh government gives necessary support it can turn into a profitable sector and contribute to earning foreign exchange every year.
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