The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) recently published a study seeking to compare one-for-one luminaire level lighting control (LLLC) retrofits with a comprehensive networked lighting controls (NLC) redesign. Conducted by the University of Oregon, the study found that a one-for-one LLLC upgrade produced comparable energy savings and lighting quality at a competitive cost.

The National Energy Efficiency Alliance is hosting a webinar Thursday, October 1, from 10-11 AM PDT about the results and methodology behind a new study comparing luminaire-level lighting controls with networked lighting controls.

In a recent issue of LD+A, editor Paul Tarricone evaluated three examples of leading-edge control projects, including a Lexus dealership, manufacturing plant, and a corporate office, examining the value today’s advanced controls can deliver to spaces and business operations that go far beyond energy cost savings.

The Lighting Controls Association (LCA) now offers EE305: Protocols as a new course in its popular Education Express program.

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Ruth Taylor recently contributed an article to LD+A Magazine examining lessons learned during a two-year evaluation of connected lighting systems.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Interior Lighting Campaign is undergoing a fresh launch as the Integrated Lighting Campaign in June 2020. The program’s core goal of market transformation is the same, with many of the same services and benefits to participants, but the promoted suite of technologies is now going beyond LED adoption toward integrated systems. The Lighting Controls Association is proud to support this program as a member of its Organizing Committee and an inaugural Supporter.

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP recently interviewed Gary Meshberg, LC, CLCP, Director of Industry and Market Engagement, OSRAM ENCELIUM, for an article about connected lighting for tED Magazine’s August 2020 issue. Here’s the transcript.

On May 21 at noon EST, the Illuminating Engineering Society will host a free webinar, “Show Me the Data: What Does Observational Research Reveal About Today’s Connected Lighting Systems?”

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP, education director of the Lighting Controls Association and a freelance lighting journalist, recently interviewed Gilles Abrahamse, Vice President/GM Digital Luminaire Components – Acuity Brands Lighting, about connected lighting for an article that will be published in the August issue of tED Magazine. Here’s the transcript.

Writing for the NEMA blog, Michael Poplawski, Principal Investigator for Connected Lighting Systems Research, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, says connected lighting systems have a potential to provide a range of electric grid services. PNNL is now actively investigating these capabilities.

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP, education director of the Lighting Controls Association and a freelance lighting journalist, recently interviewed Roger Karner, President, Signify US, about connected lighting for an article that will be published in the August issue of tED Magazine. Here’s the transcript.

In this engaging guest post, Steve Mesh describes the lessons learned from the “Living Lab,” an ambitious installation of networked lighting controls in an existing building.

“Over the past decade, I have taught many classes on networked lighting control systems (NLCs)… Over the years, I’ve seen some recurring themes in terms of questions asked by attendees, such as…”

In this blog post by Eaton, the company identifies and address four misconceptions about connected lighting.

Consumers are frequently turning to experiences that leverage multiple devices and bundle them into distinct service-based ecosystems, says the “Smart Home as a Service” (SHaaS) Research Report recently released by the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA).

Last year, the Lighting Controls Association published the first version of a generic Troubleshooting Guide for Networked Lighting Control Systems. This guide is primarily meant to address issues that may arise with Networked Lighting Control (NLC) systems. There are plenty of things that differentiate one vendor’s NLC system from those made by other vendors. Different systems have different UIs (user interfaces), and a specific NLC system may or may not have exactly the same features or benefits as any other system. Having said that, enough similarities exist to have made the creation of this manufacturer-agnostic Troubleshooting Guide worthwhile.

C. Webster Marsh, Designer with lighting design firm Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design, provides the final installment on his series of articles about dimming and lighting control protocols. In this last installment, he teams up with HLB’s Adam Levine to tackle digital control protocols, covering when and how to specify it, and how to overcome some of the challenges.

As the commercial lighting industry continues its steady move towards more advanced controls and lighting solutions, for many experts, all signs point to networked lighting controls. And when it comes to truly intelligent, flexible lighting with non-energy benefits, the future could be Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLCs). A subset of networked lighting controls, LLLCs include integrated sensors and control in each luminaire. To better understand this trend, Anne Curran, Senior Program Manager for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Luminaire Level Lighting Controls initiative, interviewed Steve Mesh, Principal at Lighting Education & Design. Here’s the transcript.

Guest post by Steve Mesh, LC What is a “network”? One definition of “network” (from the Merriam-Webster app on my iPhone!) is … “an interconnected or interrelated chain, group, or system.” What kinds of components exist in an networked lighting control (NLC) system? That can vary from system to system. Are there basic elements that [...]

As the commercial lighting industry continues its steady move towards more advanced controls and lighting solutions, for many experts, all signs point to networked lighting controls. And when it comes to truly intelligent, flexible lighting with non-energy benefits, the future could be Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLCs). A subset of networked lighting controls, LLLCs include integrated sensors and control in each fixture. To better understand this trend, Anne Curran, Senior Program Manager for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Luminaire Level Lighting Controls initiative, interviewed Shaun Darragh, Senior Lighting Specialist at Lighting Design Lab. Here’s the transcript.

As the commercial lighting industry continues its steady move towards more advanced controls and lighting solutions, for many experts, all signs point to networked lighting controls. And when it comes to truly intelligent, flexible lighting with non-energy benefits, the future could be Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLCs). A subset of networked lighting controls, LLLCs include integrated sensors and control in each fixture. To better understand this trend, Anne Curran, Senior Program Manager for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s Luminaire Level Lighting Controls initiative, interviewed Chris Meek, Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Washington. Here’s the transcript.

Early in 2019, ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR conducted a survey developed by Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP to gauge familiarity with major lighting trends, including networked lighting controls and wireless controls. Here are some key findings.

Rebate fulfillment firm BriteSwitch recently published a short article on its website about new utility rebates promoting networked lighting controls. Since the introduction of the DLC’s Networked Lighting Controls Qualified Products List, utilities have been trying to decide how to include these control systems in their programs.

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.

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.

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.

Cybersecurity is a challenge for the Internet of Things (IoT) as a whole (and corporate information networks beyond that), and lighting is not immune. This article discusses the issues involved and what specifiers and designers can do to mitigate any risks.

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 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.

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP recently interviewed Scott Ziegenfus, CEM, CLEP, CDSM, GGP, GPCP, LEED AP, Architect, Systems Manager, Government and Industry Relations at Hubbell Lighting, for an article for the January 2019 of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, the official publication of NECA. The topic: why and how lighting professionals should talk to IT departments.

“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.”

“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.”

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.

This guest post by Steve Mesh introduces the new Lighting Controls Association troubleshooting guide for networked lighting control systems.

This article produced by Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP for the May 2018 issue of tED Magazine presents a roundtable by lighting experts talking about the impact of connected lighting.

Craig DiLouie, LC, CLCP, recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jamie Britnell, Senior Product Manager, Synapse Wireless, Inc. about lighting control software for articles for ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR and tED. Click to read the interview.