The Need for Lighting Technology Education in Engineering Technology Curricula

Artificial lighting accounts for approximately twenty to twenty five percent of all electrical energy usage in the United States. This is surpassed only by the energy consumption of electric machinery. Artificial lighting is a requisite for virtually all activities in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Whether it is in the area of design, manufacture, application, maintenance, or sales, it is an industry that employs tens of thousands. It is also an industry that has not, from a technological standpoint, progressed significantly during the past fifty years, and a contributing factor to this lack of innovation is a lack of understanding of the technologies involved. This deficit can be partially attributed to a lack of educational opportunities provided at most institutes of higher learning. There are certain institutions that provide varying educational opportunities in lighting, however most of these courses only address a portion of the total technological landscape. The application of lighting is the most commonly available area of study, however insight into the technology that would allow for improvements in lighting efficiency and performance is not a priority in the majority of Engineering and Engineering Technology programs. Coursework could be offered allowing Engineering and Engineering Technology students exposure to the areas of lamp technology, lighting control, ballast design and application, and lighting economics to name a few. This would help an industry that is in need of fresh perspectives as well as more highly qualified employable college graduates.