Developing Flexible, Networked Lighting Control Systems That Reliably Save Energy in California Buildings

Abstract

Innovative wireless communications, embedded sensors, data analytics, and controls can help meet California's ambitious energy efficiency goals by reducing lighting energy use in commercial buildings. The project team applied advances in these information and communication technologies to three main research areas: 1) sensor-rich networked lighting systems; 2) intuitive, standardized user interfaces for networked lighting systems; and 3) verifiable performance for networked lighting systems. This project developed a suite of networked lighting solutions (area 1) including the PermaMote, a self-powered sensor and controller for lighting applications, and the Readings-At-Desk system that integrates sensors with data-driven daylighting control using an open communication interface. In the laboratory, these technologies showed lighting energy savings of up to 73 percent with occupancy control and daylight dimming features, compared to operating the same light source (LED replacement lamps) via simple on/off scheduling.To reduce potential confusion for building occupants about operating traditional lighting control systems, the research team created content that could be the basis for a user interface standard for lighting controls (area 2). The project team also developed a proposed standard lighting data model. The team provided the user interface content and data model to the American National Standards Institute Lighting Systems Committee for standardization.To help ensure that advanced lighting controls deliver energy savings, the project team developed a new method for evaluating lighting system performance (area 3). The project team proposed energy use intensity (kilowatt-hours per square foot per year) as a more effective design metric and code requirement than installed lighting density (watts per square foot) and validated the ability of three commercial lighting systems to self-report energy use intensity through testing in FLEXLAB®, showing a wide range in the accuracy of reported energy-use, from 0.5 percent to 28 percent error.The project team estimates that these advanced technologies can reduce California office lighting energy use by 20 percent above normal advanced lighting controls mandated by Title 24 standards, saving about 1,600 gigawatt-hours per year.

Energy Reporting: Device Demonstration, Communication Protocols, and Codes and Standards

“…That is, concepts from user interfaces should be adopted by data models when feasible . Other research also addresses standard data models, e.g., recent work on data models needed for lighting (Brown et al 2019). Finally, LBNL's work on energy reporting, such as the Energy Reporting…”

Innovative Technologies for a Low Carbon Electricity System

“…Brown, Rich, Peter Schwartz, Bruce Nordman, Jordan Shackelford, Aditya Khandekar, Erik Page, Neal Jackson, et al 2019. Developing Flexible, Networked Lighting Control Systems That Reliably Save Energy in California Buildings.…”