This is a case study for the Tinker Air Force Base. By replacing the existing lighting with LED fixtures, this project saved more than 60% energy compared to the existing technology. This is consistent with savings of converting either fluorescent or high-intensity discharge fixtures with either new LED fixtures or retrofit kits, which typically result in at least 45% savings. The lighting controls saved between 8-23% compared to the LED baseline. Because LEDs are very efficient, the new LED baseline uses less energy. As a result, the 20%+ savings does not result in sufficient savings for a reasonable payback. However, using lighting controls to control other building systems can make the lighting and control system more cost effective.

This presentation from Kenny Seeton, Central Plant Manager at California State University – Dominguez Hills, covers the opportunities and benefits of occupancy-based unified controls using Welch Hall as a case study.  Kenny discusses the basis of controls design process, matching lighting and HVAC zones, and energy savings opportunities of integrating lighting with a building automation system.

This fact sheet covers the potential for deeper energy savings and occupant comfort through the integration of lighting controls and automated shading. Research conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found an annual energy savings up to 30% in controlled zones compared to a baseline lighting system. Furthermore, occupant comfort (i.e., non-energy benefit) potential was identified, as the system maintained an acceptable level of Daylight Glare Probability at almost all times and maintained illuminance at the workplane at all times.

The Lighting Controls Association offers free, comprehensive online education about lighting controls technology and application.

This course, available through Lighting Controls Association, an ILC Organizing and Supporting partner, is offered via its Education Express program.  Learn more about the Education Express program by filtering “Webinars | Training” on the right panel.

This class examines examples of integrating lighting controls with other building controls, primarily HVAC. Rather than presenting a set of established best practices, it reviews a few notable case studies of commercial and institutional buildings where integration has been both successful and challenging. Presenters describe the design process, how key decision points were identified, and how issues were resolved. They also cover Owners Project Requirements, Basis of Design, and Sequence of Operations, and report on commissioning and post occupancy evaluations.

In 2022, the City of Chicago finalized one of the largest, most ambitious, street lighting modernization project in the country. In the span of four years, the city replaced more than 280,000 outdated high-pressure sodium (HPS) light fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights, which use less than half the energy of HPS lights and last twice as long. The city also implemented a smart lighting management system powered by a wireless network of nodes attached to each fixture. The nodes send instant outage notifications, automatically creates a repair ticket, and assigns a repair crew to respond to the location of the faulty light. This allows for quicker maintenance and repair.

Potential non-lighting energy and operational benefits associated with advanced lighting controls (ALCs) and provides decision makers with a justification to specify integrated building systems.

Interoperability and system integration: System performance is a function of how well devices work together, and common platforms and protocols are needed to enable the exchange of usable data between lighting systems, other systems, the internet, and cloud services.  Study results and webinar on connected lighting system interoperability.

The California Lighting Technology Center, in collaboration with the California Energy Commission, is conducting research to develop and evaluate technology that integrates automated controls for HVAC, electric lighting and dynamic fenestration systems.

This paper describes emerging plug and process load technologies, the characteristics necessary for successful integration into EMIS platforms, and research questions the U.S. Department of Energy and the national laboratories can pursue to rapidly advance the state of the art.

This presentation from Michael Myer, Lighting Researcher at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, covers energy savings potential for lighting systems integrated with HVAC and plug loads, reviewing findings from several field project case studies conducted on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy.

This presentation from Kandice Cohen, Director of Lighting Strategy at Trane Technologies, covers the reasons integrating lighting systems is beneficial, using a “Baker’s Dozen” commercial kitchen as a case study.  Kandice discusses the integration of the connected lighting control system with the building automation system and how it meets the customer’s needs.

This video excerpt, from a 2020 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit workshop, has Ron Bernstein, Chief Executive Officer of RBCG Consulting, providing a system integrator’s perspectives on the benefits of integrating building systems, including lighting.

This video excerpt, from a 2020 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit workshop, has Lauren Morlino, Emerging Technologies and Services Manager at Efficiency Vermont, providing utilities’ and energy efficiency organizations’ perspectives on the benefits of integrating building systems, including lighting.

Do you have a lighting project that is worthy of ILC recognition? This webinar is for building or facility owners and managers interested in tapping into the benefits of advanced lighting systems and/or the integration of lighting with other building systems. Learn how to access practical resources, gain access to technical assistance and guidance, and receive recognition for your advanced lighting projects. Speakers introduced new recognition categories and explained how to successfully submit your project for recognition. Join other industry professionals like you who are using advanced lighting to improve energy efficiency, operations, and occupant comfort.

Part 1: High-Impact Envelope Strategies –The Building Envelope Campaign covered a metric that can measure your building envelope performance and can aid in design decisions, success stories were also covered. Part 2: Integrated Lighting Strategies – The Integrated Lighting Campaign discusses how integrating your lighting system with other building systems can enable deeper whole-building energy savings and non-energy benefits with significant value-add. A summary of those that submitted for recognition is also included.

Interested in submitting a lighting project for recognition to the Integrated Lighting Campaign? Learn about the recognition categories, four of which are new in 2023. Participants and Supporters now have more opportunity than ever to get recognized by DOE!

Indoor farming, or controlled environment agriculture (CEA), is an energy and resource intensive process but has the potential to produce high value crops at maximum productivity and resource efficiency when ideal growing conditions are met. To meet ideal growing conditions, the facility’s horticultural systems, like lighting, HVAC, and humidity must be finely tuned and controlled. Integrating these systems can yield synergistic energy savings and, just like commercial facilities, the lighting system and controls can serve as a solid foundation for integration through data collection via sensors and providing a network interface. Watch to learn from the Better Buildings Lighting Systems Technology Research Team and two Integrated Lighting Campaign Recognized partners, University of Vermont and Vertical Harvest Farms, as they share their success stories in integrating their lighting with horticultural controls.

Vertical Harvest Farms Infographic for 2022 ILC Recognition