Objective

The goal of this project is to produce and deliver a comprehensive technology transfer package that is effective for disseminating advanced Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting control strategies. The audiences include Department of Defense (DoD) energy managers, acquisition program managers, facility managers, building operators, DoD building control system vendors, installation contractors, building design engineers, energy service companies, and utility energy service contractors.

Technology Description

Recent lighting retrofits have included one-for-one fixture or bulb LED replacements with little to no additional controls. This means that additional energy savings from lighting controls remain stranded for the lifetime of the LED replacement. Advanced lighting controls strategies provide significant additional savings and include:

 

  • Occupancy/Vacancy: reducing lighting output when no one is present.
  • Daylighting: reducing lighting output when sufficient natural light is present.
  • Task Tuning: reducing maximum lighting output in spaces in otherwise over lit spaces.
  • Personal Tuning: similar to task tuning but gives the individual occupant the control to adjust the lights that serve just their workspace.

These systems may be connected, wired or wirelessly, to enable individual luminaires and control devices to communicate digitally. This communication, often coupled with dense sensor coverage in each fixture, increases energy savings through increased granularity, flexibility, and robust commissioning.

Benefits

This information transfer project has wide applicability to DoD installation managers, designers, facility managers, and building operators managing and operating DoD installations who are considering lighting retrofits or new construction projects. DoD spends $4 billion per year on energy cost and has nearly 562,000 facilities (DoD 2015). An average of 69% in energy savings could be achieved with advanced lighting controls coupled with LED [Myer 2018]. It is critical for DoD stakeholders to understand advanced lighting controls strategies.

After the training, installation managers can make informed decisions on advanced lighting controls projects. Facility engineers and building operators can have a better understanding of the latest control measures and operate their buildings more energy-efficiently and costeffectively. Designers and contractors can incorporate industry-leading high-performance lighting controls into their designs. The project will reduce the knowledge base-gap for advanced lighting controls and promote broader adoption of this technology.