LED Island as Demonstration of High Energy Efficiency Achieved with LEDs

If you know anything about such interesting medical devices like including a portable insulin pump, a stair-climbing wheelchair, and a robotic prosthetic arm, or about Segway scooter, then you should know Dean Kamen, who invented all these things. Some people call this man made, others – just eccentric. He does everything in his own way, his house is in the form of hexagon, he goes to work not with car or public transport, but with his own helicopter. He even has his own island, which is declared as an independent state. North Dumpling Island is situated off the coast of Connecticut and its’ area makes three acres. On the island, you can find its’ own constitution, currency (based on Pi), and navy, which includes a lone amphibious vehicle. The most surprising thing on the island is a replica of Stonehenge with amazing illumination.
Kamen’s life consists of numerous experiments, subject to which can be even Kamen himself. So, his own independent island becomes independent in more one way, it will be supplied with the energy generated with help of the wind and the sun exclusively. Kamen works with Philips Color Kinetics, what suggested him to use his island as showcase for power-efficient LED lighting fixtures. All conventional incandescent lights will replaced with LED lights.
According to prior estimations, the overall power consumption are to be reduced by 50% through such move. Kamen says that people should pay more attention to our energy resources and develop way to reduce the overall energy consumption. North Dumpling turns to live example what can be achieved with help of innovative LED lighting technology.
But LED have one disadvantage, their cost is quite high, what prevents them to be used everywhere. For example, two Philips ColorBlast lights, which are applied for illumination of a single pillar, are sold at $600 per light, according to The New York Times’ Bits blog. At the same time, LED lights for interior illumination are more affordable. Price ranges from $20 to $90 for this type of lights. Though, they still cost more expensive compared to traditional bulbs. According to forecasts, their price is going to drop as the technology develops each year and becomes cheaper and more efficient.