Otte-Coleman - City Magazine

| BRIGHT IDEAS
Turning the Lights on Agriculture
Have you ever wondered why the lights in the
hotel bathroom make you look pale? Or why
things start to change color under different
lighting? John Curcio knows the answers.
Curcio specializes in lighting design, and has
used his talents in the entertainment and architecture
industries for the last 25 years. He is now using his
knowledge to help an industry close to the heart of
North Dakotans, agriculture.
Curcio’s plan is to develop lighting for night
harvesting, and eventually, for petroleum plants, oil
rigs and coal mines. According to his surveys, no
other companies are currently designing lighting for
agricultural markets specifically.
Curcio’s lighting promises to be safer and more
energy efficient. “I could reduce about 40 percent
of the electricity currently being used,” Curcio said.
The lighting would also be pleasing to the eye, and
unaffected by weather or shock. LED technology is
being applied in new and different ways to make these
improvements possible.
By Chelsea Watterud
Curcio wants to develop new technology and
revise older methods, that won’t even require live
electricity. Many of his products are self-sufficient,
solar-powered and maintenance free. Curcio describes
this technology in terms of streetlights. If his lights
were used in Bismarck streetlights, they would run for
20 years before needing replacement or maintenance.
“The average light runs for 8,000 to 20,000 hours,”
said Curcio. “These new lights could run for 130,000
hours. The idea is to improve lighting for productivity,
efficiency and safety.”
For many, this product seems too good to be true.
The initial start-up costs are more expensive than
traditional lighting but, Curcio promises his lights will
pay for themselves within three to five years.
Curcio overall goals are: to be successful in
Bismarck; improve efficiency in the agriculture and
petroleum work environments; and decrease power
use.
This promising innovation is in the works at the
IDEA Center in Bismarck. Watch for the culmination
of this truly “bright” idea.
34 thecitymag.com