LEDs for lighting : technological promise and rebound effects

This article explores the academic literature to assess whether the advent of efficient InGaN/GaN visible LEDs has resulted in measurable energy savings. This question raises the issue of rebound effects, in particular the direct rebound effects for lighting, but also the indirect rebound effects and the induction effects linked to the broader diffusion of LEDs for other purposes. Despite the energy efficiency of blue LEDs for white lamp applications, a comprehensive literature review reveals a striking absence of peer-reviewed studies quantifying direct rebound effects for lighting applications, alongside unexamined indirect and induction effects in non-lighting applications such as displays. We argue that such "undone science" increases the risks of biased and uncritical technological promises in policy and research. This in turn calls for more interdisciplinary research and cross-disciplinary culture to base ecological transition strategies on rigorous scientific knowledge.