Luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLC), also called embedded controls, are lighting control systems in which sensors and controllers are installed within luminaires to enable autonomous, individual luminaire control. By making each luminaire a control point, control is highly flexible, responsive, and therefore generally more energy-saving. Serving as a preview for an upcoming Education Express course, this article describes LLLC technology, system types, advantages and disadvantages, studies characterizing energy savings and cost, and what’s familiar and distinctive in regards to design and installation.

In this article published in LD+A, Telensa’s Cindy Brewbaker lays out a seven-point case for smart street lighting.

Moderated by Michael Colligan, this episode of Get a Grip on Lighting pits two lighting thinkers in a spirited debate over whether 0-10V or digital lighting control has the edge in projects subject to value engineering.

In this article published in LD+A, the official publication of the Illuminating Engineering Society, Manuel Lopez and Keith Graeber of the California Lighting Technology Center evaluate networked lighting control system metering and reporting capabilities.

In this special lighting controls edition of the Get a Grip on Lighting podcast, C. Webster Marsh and Ron Kuszmar interview Steve Mesh about the state of lighting controls.

Harmonization of international standards related to DALI lighting control continues with the publication of the updated ANSI C137.4-2021 standard in North America.

As part of its educational webinar series, the Illuminating Engineering Society invites the lighting community to attend a webinar on Thursday, April 28 at 12:00 PM ET. The webinar is free to IES members and is titled, “A New Sales Pitch.” The topic: finding and communicating the value of non-energy benefits for networked lighting controls.

Craig DiLouie recently had the opportunity to interview Craig Casey, Building Science Leader at Lutron Electronics, about luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLC) for an upcoming article for tED Magazine, the official publication of the NAED. Transcript follows.

Daintree® Networked wireless lighting controls from GE Current, a Daintree company, are now a DesignLights Consortium® (DLC®) Qualified Networked Lighting Controls Product, giving lighting designers and building owners a tested and certified full-featured lighting controls option for commercial and industrial environments.

In this special controls-related “Conversation” podcast series launched by Get a Grip on Lighting and hosted by C. Webster Marsh, Marsh talks to Ron Kuszmar, who oversees Port’s Architectural and Theatrical Lighting Design & Installation departments, as well as the company’s Lighting Control Systems and Equipment Sales team.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) recently announced two additions to its Networked Lighting Controls (NLC) Technical Requirements, Version 5. These additions became effective December 22, 2021.

Dan Hollenkamp, COO of Toggled offers several key predictions for the future of smart lighting technology.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) published American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment—Energy Measurement for a Network Lighting Control (NLC) Device with a Locking-Type Receptacle (ANSI C136.50-2021). This is a new Standard that describes methods and requirements for the measurement of energy consumption and the reporting of the consumption for a network lighting control (NLC) device in an outdoor lighting application.

In this guest post, Jared Morello, VP of Specification Sales, Legrand North America, makes the case that secure lighting networking is achievable with the right compliance and certifications.

In recent years, the Next Generation Lighting Systems (NGLS) program has studied the ease of installation and use of connected lighting systems and their everyday effectiveness in two Living Labs—an indoor lab at Parsons School of Design in New York City and an outdoor lab at the Corporate Research Center adjacent to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in Blacksburg, Virginia.

While networked lighting controls can deliver significant value in both energy and non-energy benefits, a challenge remains in translating these capabilities to one’s applications. What could be done with greater lighting control in my building? How is the system operated to save energy while deriving other benefits specific to my applications? How could the data be used to benefit my stakeholders? To answer this question, let’s look at three theoretical applications.

Adoption of the most robust connected lighting systems has been slower than expected. Training, education, field validation, greater interoperability, and greater standardization of utility rebate programs are strong opportunities to meet the challenges. These are some of the conclusions of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Connected Lighting Systems Stakeholders Research Study, published in September 2021.

Legrand has published a whitepaper, “Understanding the Essential Strategies for IoT Security,” which is available for free download.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published NEMA CPSP 4-2021 Harmonized Cybersecurity Standards and Conformity Assessment. This document emphasizes the need for globally harmonized industry consensus around cybersecurity process Standards and conformity assessments.

Just because 0-10V dimmed luminaires are generally lower cost than digitally dimmed luminaires, it should not be assumed there will be a lower price tag on the overall project, writes C. Webster Marsh.

In A National Roadmap for Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings, DOE outlines its national goal to triple the energy efficiency and demand flexibility of buildings by 2030. A subsequent report, published in December 2019, specifically evaluates the potential for lighting and electronics (primarily consumer plus IT equipment) to optimize energy efficiency and comfort while providing services back to the grid. This article examines lighting’s potential to support grid interactivity, primarily in the form of networked lighting controls and automated demand response.

As it seeks to quantify the non-energy benefits of networked lighting and advanced building controls, the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) is seeking the input of facility managers for a short online survey. Results of this research will yield monetized estimates useful for product marketing, efficiency program incentive promotion, and facility management decision making.

In this article published by BUILDING OPERATING MANAGEMENT, building owners and managers are introduced to networked lighting control and shown examples of what pulling data from the system can do to solve business problems.

Adoption of networked intelligent lighting control systems is uncertain, with some in the professional lighting community very positive, while others see it as not ready for prime time for themselves or their clients. Putting whether is a problem in definition aside, the question of where networked control is winning or losing is worthy to explore. [...]

BetterBricks recently published a video demonstrating the utility of luminaire-level lighting controls installed at the Pacific Tower, a historic building in Seattle.

Endeavor Business Media recently announced the launch of Smart Buildings Technology, a new brand dedicated to serving the ecosystem that brings integrated intelligence to new construction and existing commercial buildings. Comprising a digital magazine [launching June 21, 2021], website, newsletters, and online conference, [Smart Connect, November 17, 2021], Smart Buildings Technology covers the latest developments in communications systems, energy efficiency, IT/OT integration, intelligent building systems, occupant health  and safety, and more.

Two of the best investments building owners and corporate tenants can make to improve employee well-being and energy efficiency are automated shading systems and modern LED lighting with advanced wireless controls, says Controlling Comfort and Energy in Offices, a new publication by the New Buildings Institute.

In an article recently published by NEMA, Martin Mercier, Strategic Marketing Manager, Cooper Lighting Solutions talks about the ways in which lighting can contribute to the smart city. Lighting provides infrastructure for data collection, he notes. Standardization and an open ecosystem for partnerships will be key to realizing this opportunity.

My blog post from April 1, 2020, entitled “Lessons Learned from Living Lab” describes a research project about retrofitting existing spaces with networked lighting control systems (NLCs). It contains recommendations for how to avoid typical of problems that may be encountered on an NLC install. This post will elaborate on some of those “lessons” and recommendations.

On May 19, 2021, BetterBricks, a commercial building resource from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), is bringing together experts from the University of Oregon and University of Washington to host a free webinar on the potential of lighting controls to improve human health and building efficiency.

Cybersecurity and privacy concerns in the smart home have the potential to worsen with device ownership and demand for gadgets growing. In building their solutions, industry participants should therefore treat cybersecurity protections as the norm. Looking past functionality and user experience, privacy also needs to be factored into the process. These were among the key recommendations of CABA’s Privacy and Cybersecurity in the Connected Home Landmark Research project, carried out by CABA member Frost & Sullivan.

The Lighting Controls Association (LCA) has published Part 3 of  EE302: A Year with a Networked Lighting Control System, a new learning module in its popular Education Express online education program.

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking consultant services to develop a method for quantifying the financial value of non-energy benefits of advanced building controls. The deadline for RFP responses is March 1, 2021 and the DLC expects to award a contract for the work by March 12.

Networked lighting controls may get a boost in adoption by shifting the conversation beyond mere energy benefits, says Liesel Whitney-Schulte and Dan Mellinger.

While “circadian lighting” varies in definition, it generally refers to design that uses intensity and spectrum of light for a non-visual effect—namely, to support regulation of circadian rhythms. A new study suggests that by enabling intensity and spectral adjustment and optimizing exposure based on time of day, designers and owners can minimize the energy tradeoff imposed by associated typically much-higher light levels. This would entail use of an advanced lighting control system capable of scheduled dimming and perhaps spectral emission adjustment.

Are you an electrical contractor?  Are you new to the world of Networked Lighting Controls (NLCs)?  Are you looking for new opportunities to strengthen your business in these uncertain times?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it will provide $65 million through its Connected Communities funding opportunity announcement (FOA) (DE-FOA-0002206) to expand DOE’s network of grid-interactive efficient building communities nationwide.

The ioXt Alliance, the Global Standard for IoT Security, recently announced the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has added ioXt security certification to its Networked Lighting Control System Technical Requirements (Version 5), also known as NLC5. Along with ioXt, NLC5 offers a full breakdown of all DLC-recognized cybersecurity certification options that are specifically designed for interior and exterior NLC systems associated with commercial and industrial buildings, roadways, and exterior environments.

Industry journalist Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP recently interviewed Matt Ochs, Senior Marketing Director, Lutron Electronics for an article for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. The topic: the role lighting controls can play in risk mitigation during the pandemic. Here’s the transcript.