Lighting as a Service (LaaS) is an emerging and evolving business model in which the owner pays for light rather than the equipment that delivers it. The owner buys new lighting on a subscription basis over a multi-year term rather than a significant one-time capital investment.

One of the most striking changes to the 2019 code version is the addition of Section 130.1(f)1-130.1(f)7 – “Control Interactions.”

Though much can be said about increasing communication with other building systems to offer a myriad of value to the digital building, lighting systems offer the building blocks to a smarter building now.

On April 18, from 12-1 PM ET, the Illuminating Engineering Society will present a webinar on the topic of networked lighting controls, developed by the Lighting Controls Association and presented by educator Steve Mesh.

Networked lighting controls can reduce energy consumption by an average 47 percent, according to a recent industry study. That makes control a powerful tool in managing energy costs, but it only captures a small fraction of its potential value in enhancing quality lighting with LED technology.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ANSI C136.2-2018 American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment—Dielectric Withstand and Electrical Transient Immunity Requirements.

At the National Lighting Bureau’s 7th Annual Lighting Forum, a panel of experts discussed the development of the Internet of Things and its potential impacts on lighting.

The AIA’s semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, is projecting 4.4% growth in nonresidential construction spending in 2019 and 2.4% in 2020. This article by Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP reviews the forecast and leading construction industry economic indicators.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ANSI C136.48-2018 American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment—Wireless Networked Lighting Controllers.

According to a recent research report by the market research and strategy consulting firm, Graphical Research, Europe Smart Lighting Market share will surpass USD $9 billion by 2024.

“Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls” (LLLCs) – this relatively new term in the lighting controls industry indicates that every fixture controlled by a networked lighting control system (NLC) incorporates two specific things: 1) a “controller”, and 2) sensors. This article by Steve Mesh describes the utility and application of this control approach, which is starting to be adopted by model energy codes.

McGuire Engineers’ John Yoon, PE, LEED AP ID+C recently contributed an article to CONSULTING-SPECIFYING ENGINEER citing 10 reasons why lighting controls commissioning may fail. It’s an excellent piece with plenty of helpful observations and guidance.

LUX Magazine recently published an article making a case that Bluetooth Mesh is positioned as a truly transformative protocol, enabling not only lighting control but capabilities far exceeding it.

Synapse recently published an online article providing guidance on how to implement daylight harvesting control strategies.

Steve Mesh writes, “According to Wikipedia, a communication protocol is a ‘system of rules that allow two or more entities of a communications system to transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical quantity.’ That’s a mouthful! What does that mean in terms of networked lighting control (NLC) systems?”

In a recent panel at seventh annual NLB Lighting Forum experts talked about wired and wireless control system protocols.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become the talk of technologists everywhere, on every product level imaginable. Lighting is no exception. Understanding why this is such an energetic field requires thinking beyond conventional control and connectivity models. The integration of smart features opens the door to intelligent utilization of data and energy that cannot be achieved using closed, localized technologies that cannot be accessed beyond their limited utilitarian functionality.

In August 2018, the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) published a best practices guide for designing daylight harvesting lighting control systems. Titled Daylight Harvesting for Commercial Buildings Guide, it focuses on compliance with California’s Title 24 energy code, though it has broad application.

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP recently had the opportunity to interview Jonathan Cartrette, Systems Architect, Wattstopper/Legrand for an article that will be published in 2019 for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. The topic? Lighting and cybersecurity.

In September, California passed SB-327, a cybersecurity law that will affect manufacturers of Internet of Things (IoT) and operational technology (OT) devices.

This article at Eaton’s THE SOURCE website provides an insightful look at how connected lighting can facilitate space optimization.

In August 2018, the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) released Energy Savings Potential of DLC Commercial Lighting and Networked Lighting Controls, which projects energy savings for LED commercial lighting and networked lighting controls. The report makes a case that to continue getting big energy savings from lighting for another decade, utility rebate program administrators should transition to supporting LED luminaires and networked controls.

This educational video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2018 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Lutron Electronics’ Enterprise Vue lighting control system.

In this guest post, LCA contributor Steve Mesh describes the “non-energy benefits” of connected lighting, which can add extraordinary value far beyond energy savings.

“As the lighting industry attempts to morph from its conventional role of illumination and become more of a provider of smart networks that collect data through chips and sensors embedded in the lighting infrastructure, it should focus its sales efforts on IT groups rather than on the customary facilities departments,” Mark Halper writes for LEDs Magazine.

“While the majority of installations today are distributed high voltage (between 110V and 347V), the emergence of solid-state lighting technology has brought into question whether this is the most practical and efficient way to feed future lighting systems … In general illumination application, there are currently two core approaches to operating luminaires directly from low voltage DC power. Emerge Alliance 24VDC distributed, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). The two approaches employ distinctly different control approaches.”

Networked control and connected luminaire manufacturers are now promoting their products as “IoT enabled.” This means when the IoT does arrive, the lighting system will stand ready to play a part in it without significant additional cost. The converse may also be regarded as true, which is without connected lighting, any new LED lighting may instantly become obsolete after installation.

This educational video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2018 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Wattstopper’s DLM wireless room-based lighting control system.

In this guest post, Paul Rudalavage, Synergy Electrical Sales summarizes five key areas to understand and explore when purchasing a lighting control system.

“If you are a regular reader of Lighting Controls Association blog posts, then you know that networked lighting control systems (NLCs) are really computer networks – they just happen to control luminaires, occupancy sensors, photosensors and light switches. The paradigm shift for lighting control systems has occurred at lightning-fast speed in recent years … However, once you decide to piggyback onto an existing IT network, you are in the domain of the IT staff who works for the building’s owner.”

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE DECISIONS recently ran an article contributed by the Lighting Controls Association on how to apply lighting controls to existing buildings.

Software plays a central role in commissioning, operating, and analyzing data collected by networked lighting control systems. As connected lighting becomes more popular, manufacturers continue to make their software simpler, more robust, more portable, and require less training. Software is a major touch point regarding the lighting control system serving either as a platform or an integral part of implementing the Internet of Things in commercial buildings.

“I recently wrote about how lighting energy allowances under current codes are now approaching a practical minimum, thanks to significant improvements in source efficacy, optical efficiency, and controls that automatically extinguish lighting when it is not needed.”

This educational video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2018 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Hubbell’s PowerHUBB Power Over Ethernet (PoE) Lighting & Control System.

The TALQ Consortium reveals in a White Paper recently published a whitepaper detailing insights into its global interface standard and certification scheme for managing smart city applications including outdoor lighting networks.

This educational video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2018 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Wattstopper’s service contracts program.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently published NEMA LSD 79-2018 Predicted Energy Savings from Lighting Systems, a new white paper that includes a framework used to gauge the effectiveness of different lighting control methods.

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP recently interviewed Gary Trott, VP of Intelligent Lighting and IoT Platform, Cree for an article for the October issue of tED Magazine, the official publication of the NAED. The topic: connected lighting’s potential role in the Internet of Things.

On July 26, 2018 the International Code Council published the 2018 version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which has been updated every three years since 2000. This 2018 version reduces lighting power allowances, broadens mandatory controls requirements, and issues clarifications.