Greenovation the LG way

Two trends are going to play a significant role in determining which companies thrive in a global market characterised by rising energy prices and dwindling resources. Companies that improve their internal energy efficiency and offer products or services that help consumers improve their own energy efficiency are going to be the big winners.

Mr Josep Kim, the LG East Africa Managing Director says LG is increasingly focusing its innovation around constantly improving energy efficiency in its products to deliver value for money and remain eco-friendly in its operations. “LG's green vision is to provide values that enhance the quality of life for its consumers and create a healthier and cleaner environment,” say Josep Kim, the LG East Africa Managing Director.   

Josep Kim, LG Managing Director for East and Central Africa, breakdowns the features the World’s first 84inch Ultra HD TV during a recent media breakfast. The TV is wider than a car and costs almost as much.  

                                                                         

He however explains that improving facility efficiency is only one small step in making the company as environmentally friendly as possible. Before any manufacturing materials arrive at LG’s facilities for processing, LG undertakes an evaluation process to ensure that the company’s suppliers are equally committed to eco-friendly practices.

LG’s supply chain management system ensures that all of LG’s partners take the necessary steps to ensure that the components they are supplying to LG are free of hazardous materials and are obtained in an environmentally responsible manner.

“LG will not do business with suppliers involved in conflict minerals or the extraction of resources from environmentally endangered areas,” says Mr Kim. Away from the company’s operations, Mr Kim says LG has been expanding its range of green products.

Consumers are often surprised when they learn that LG’s top-end high performance home entertainment products are also industry leaders in eco-friendly features. Take the 55-inch OLED TV as an example.

Focus is usually placed – perhaps rightfully so – on the scintillating visual capabilities of the screen. Yet the same technology that produces vivid, breathtaking picture quality also delivers real eco-friendly benefits.

The OLED structure eliminates the need for backlighting of any kind. This means that the TV consumes far less energy than rival systems. In addition, the structure is extremely thin, thus reducing weight and cutting down on the energy required for shipping and distribution. And bigger doesn’t necessarily mean higher energy consumption when it comes to LG TVs.

LG’s 84-inch flagship TV features a maximum energy saving mode that cuts energy consumption by 70 percent over conventional TVs.

Most recently, the company’s latest variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, the Multi V IV, put an emphatic exclamation mark on LG’s technological achievements by posting a stunning 4.78 coefficient of performance (COP) rating.

The Multi V IV’s predecessor, the Multi V III, had already helped LG win a host of awards, including the ‘Best Project Award’ from Climate Control Middle East. LG’s VRF systems enable impressive reductions in energy costs because they are able to rapidly adapt to changing loads.

The improved inverter technology minimizes energy consumption, and the modular design of the units allows building managers to use the system only in zones that require climate control while leaving other zones inactive.

“When it comes to environmental concerns, we’re top of the list of air conditioning manufacturer that are committed to the cause,” says Kranthi Mahakala, an engineer at AC Academy & Marketing. For instance, LG Multi V III, LG has set a world record level of Coefficient of Performance (COP), the clearest measure of energy efficiency in air conditioning.

In installing this advanced air conditioning system, says Mr Mahakala, building owners aren’t just embracing a technology with a far lower impact on the environment; they’re looking at greatly reduced energy bills, too. The Multi V III’s record-breaking energy efficiency is made possible by a technology called HiPORTM (High Pressure Oil Return). HiPORTM enables the compressor to return the oil directly to a high level of pressure, instead of the low levels on conventional AC units.

By minimizing unnecessary re-compressing at lower levels of pressure, HiPORTM reduces energy losses and increases COP levels. Presently, much of the world faces dreadful air pollution along with the attendant threat to public health. Against this backdrop, there is need to re-examine how they use the air, not least the makers of air conditioning appliances.

“The type of AC appliances we install are dependent on whether the building is a residential flat, auditorium or manufacturing plant. We have software and engineers we send on site that measure the cooling load and advice on the AC systems to put in place,” says Mr. Jinan Choi, the LG East Africa Head of Air Conditioning.

LG’s range of home and kitchen appliances enables customers to take advantage of some smile-inducing eco-friendly benefits. For instance, the company’s washing machines and dishwashers are designed to use less water and electricity, its refrigerators create new energy efficient storage options and its ovens cook food faster, thus reducing energy consumption.

LG’s Inverter Linear Compressor is a prime example of how technological innovations can have a major impact on energy efficiency. By reducing friction points from four to just one, LG’s compressor is quieter, more reliable and far more efficient. This is good news for consumers who are looking for both industry leading performance and cutting-edge energy efficiency.