The Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in downtown Muskegon is the new location of a fledgling company focused on reducing energy consumption by expanding the use and application of environmentally friendly Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.
Logical Lighting Systems LLC moved into MAREC this fall, the business incubation space operated by Grand Valley State University at 200 Viridian Drive in the Muskegon SmartZone. Logical Lighting seeks to research, test and bring to market affordable and dependable replacement LED lamps for incandescent and florescent lights.
Though LED lighting costs significantly more than traditional lighting, it greatly reduces electrical demand and eliminates the concern of deadly mercury and carbon dioxide emissions found in conventional lighting, according to Logical Lighting Systems CEO Jason Jespersen.
"LEDs are impervious to shock and cold," says Jespersen. "All components are recyclable and there are no hazardous materials involved. The light itself, if it's running 12 hours a day, will last 11 years or more."
"I have nothing but high hopes for the business," he says. The company and its employees will have access to on-site lab facilities for product testing and evaluation, meeting and office space, as well as GVSU's business consultation and support services. "It's a great atmosphere and wonderful people to work with."
With commercial buildings such as hospitals, shopping malls, public places and office buildings accounting for 51 percent of total energy consumption for lighting in the U.S., there is an enormous opportunity for energy savings, Jespersen says. It's projected that more than 70 percent of all lighting in commercial buildings will be LED-based by 2030.
"My goal is to leverage the assistance of some of the people in the facility to help steer the company in the best direction for West Michigan and to explore the expansion into other states," Jespersen says. He hopes to get a return on investment within two years or less. Logical Systems also specializes in the design and installation of energy monitoring equipment.
MAREC opened in 2003 to serve as a business incubator and research and development center for alternative and renewable energy technologies and to serve as a demonstrator of those technologies.
Source: Jason Jaspersen, Logical Lighting Systems LLC
Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]
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