The past 10 years has seen a significant advancement in technologies associated with HID lamps. This includes the incorporation of ceramic lamp envelopes and the ability to construct lamps with very exact dimensions. Consequently, the wattages of HID sources have been reduced to a level competitive with energy efficient older point-source technologies such as incandescent and halogen lamps in applications such as retail and commercial spaces.

Magnetic ballasts have traditionally ballasted the HID lamps. Electronic ballasts have been available but have not made a significant penetration in the market partially due to size, cost and efficiency. Recent developments in electronic circuitry suggest that these barriers have been overcome. Additionally, this new ballast technology can now provide variable light control so that additional savings are now available from dimming control.

These technologies are new to the market and are not being readily adapted by luminaire manufacturers due to the uncertainty in proven performance. To date there has been no independent study of the performance of these new systems, aside from manufacturers claims. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has the equipment and expertise to evaluate these systems and to assist in quantifying the benefits of the technology for the marketplace, as it demonstrated in previous work with electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps.

Once the manufacturers claims can be verified, market transformation programs can be developed to accelerate their adoption by original equipment manufacturers and end users.