October 27, 2021
Electric Lighting + Building Operations
Summary
Research has demonstrated the ability to save energy through the implementation of new lighting systems and controls, however, with the rapid advancement of lighting technology, lighting systems are becoming an intelligent system capable of providing new insights into daily operations. With luminaires in almost every space of a building, manufacturers have recognized an opportunity to integrate additional sensors that capture data real-time, allowing for data-driven decisions and increased efficiency. With the ability to provide insights into space utilization, asset tracking, luminaire maintenance, security and more, it’s vital that one consider what a lighting system can do for them besides illuminating a space.
Overview
I. Controls-Based Lighting Systems
It is known that lighting represents a significant portion of energy consumed in commercial office buildings, which makes it imperative to consider the use and effectiveness of advanced lighting controls to reduce energy consumption. In this paper from Parise et. al. they analyze the energy performance of an interior lighting system and propose a tool to help accurately quantify the savings. The proposed tool can be used to optimize the design of the system according to the proper characteristics of a room and how that space might be used. The tool can also be used as an energy management system to verify and monitor the lighting system’s performance over time. This level of quantitative insight offers opportunities to maintain accurate maintenance schedules, which will improve the longevity of the luminaires and overall quality of lighting within a space. Overall, the paper highlighted – through a simple case study – the importance of an appropriate control in order to increase the actual energy performance of the system. Having a control system is a great step, but to boost savings one must select the most appropriate system for the space, which is not always the most expensive option. Leveraging control systems that monitor energy consumption is also a great way to gain insight into operating expenses.
As the lighting industry continues to innovate and incorporate new systems into their luminaires, it is critical that designers keep pace or work with consultants who are well versed in the industry in order to leverage the technical advancements for clients. Michelle Davidson’s evaluation of a warehouse case study where an advanced lighting control system was installed highlights the significant impact a lighting control system can have on the entire operations of a business. Despite the 200,000 sf facility being only 3-years old, its lighting fixtures were consuming over 1.3 million kWh each year. With the implementation of LED fixtures and an advanced lighting control system, the facility was projected to save roughly 500,000 kWh per year, however, since 2013 the building has averaged an annual consumption of 300,000 kWh – exceeding their savings projections. The lighting control system has also enabled the company to monitor space utilization, which ties into their HVAC system to optimize heating and cooling schedules. The lights are also able to track equipment usage, which has improved maintenance schedules and improved the efficacy of their operation. In sum, as technology continues to advance, lighting controls offer a unique opportunity for businesses that extend beyond energy savings.
The post-occupancy case studies reviewed by Doulos et al. revealed the importance of understanding the human factor as you design the lighting, both natural and artificial, within a space. Leveraging lighting control systems that react to the available daylight within a space is a great way to save energy, while maintaining a high-quality visual environment, but it’s important to conduct post-occupancy evaluations to determine overall satisfaction with the controls. Their study found that age impacted overall visual satisfaction, with older users preferring more light than younger users. However, the common theme among users was that natural daylight is preferred and any electric lighting control system should have a manual override that allows users to switch it on and off at will. With the advancements of control technology in the lighting industry, there are new opportunities to provide personal control of luminaires, which has been shown to boost general satisfaction within the workplace.
II. References
Primary Research
- Davidson, Michelle. 2016. “Case Study: IoT Lighting System Cuts Energy Costs, Improves Productivity.” Network World. Network World. July 26. https://www.networkworld.com/article/3099682/case-study-iot-lighting-system-cuts-energy-costs-improves-productivity.html.
- Doulos, Lambros T, Tsangrassoulis, Aris, Madias, Evangelos-Nikolaos, Niavis, Spyros, Kontadakis, Antonios, Kontaxis, Panagiotis A, Kontargyri, Vassiliki T, et al. 2020. “Examining the Impact of Daylighting and the Corresponding Lighting Controls to the Users of Office Buildings.” Energies (Basel) 13 (15). MDPI AG: 4024. doi:10.3390/en13154024.
- Parise, Giuseppe, Martirano, Luigi, and Di Ponio, Simone. 2013. “Energy Performance of Interior Lighting Systems.” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications 49 (6). IEEE: 2793–2801. doi:10.1109/TIA.2013.2263114.
