Futureproofing Tip 1: Choose your communication protocol wisely

DOE Recognizes 14 Partners in 2023 ILC

Through the Better Buildings Initiative’s Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC), the U.S. Department of Energy recognizes the use of advanced lighting by building owners and managers for increased building efficiency and comfort. This year, the ILC recognized the following organizations for leading the adoption of advanced lighting controls and integrated lighting.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) recognized 14 organizations for leading the adoption of advanced lighting controls and integration of lighting with other building systems. This campaign is part of the Better Buildings Initiative and worked with these partners, as well as 18 recognized last year, to demonstrate that integrated lighting systems are enabling deeper energy savings in buildings and creating an enhanced user and occupant experience. Partners were recognized at the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) annual conference on August 5th, 2023.

Need inspiration for lighting upgrades at your facility? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently highlighted some prime examples.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) 2023 Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) recognized 11 organizations for exemplary commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in their buildings, and 3 organizations for exhibiting exemplary support and advocacy for this work. Partners were recognized on August 5 at the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) annual conference for projects that showcase how lighting system upgrades can lead to significant energy savings and create more comfortable, productive, and environmentally responsible spaces.

Through the Better Buildings Initiative’s Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC), DOE recognizes the use of advanced lighting by building owners and managers for increased building efficiency and comfort. This year, the ILC recognized 14 organizations for leading the adoption of advanced lighting controls and integrated lighting.

Integrated Lighting Campaign highlights eleven projects and three partners for advanced lighting achievements

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) 2023 Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) recognized 11 organizations for exemplary commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in their buildings, and three organizations for exhibiting exemplary support and advocacy for this work. Partners were recognized on August 5 at the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) annual conference for projects that showcase how lighting system upgrades can lead to significant energy savings and create more comfortable, productive, and environmentally responsible spaces.

2024 ILC Recognitions have been announced! See the DOE press release here:  

https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/doe-recognizes-18-organizations-excellence-integrated-lighting-systems 

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.

The Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) confers recognition each year to organizations that are helping drive the adoption of advanced lighting systems and the integration of lighting with other buildings and business systems. Supporters (e.g., utilities, designers, ESCOs, energy efficiency organizations, and manufacturers) help the campaign identify and recruit exemplary projects that may be eligible for recognition from DOE. Join us to learn about the new recognition categories for Participants and opportunities available to Supporters, including recognition available as an Exemplary Supporter or DEI Champion and how your products and/or services may be featured in a future case study.

You can watch the recording here.

The Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) completed its first full year since its launch during the Better Buildings Summit of 2020. The ILC team presented alongside DOE’s Buildings Envelope Campaign at the 2021 Better Buildings Summit. ILC presented the summary of the breadth of projects that submitted for recognition in this inaugural year. ILC was joined by presenters discussing real-world benefits of current integrated lighting strategies and best practices for making lighting integration projects successful. Whole-building energy savings and non-energy benefits were among the benefits discussed by Jay Amundson (University of Minnesota) and Scott Hackel (Slipstream). Both organizations are partners of the ILC.

The Lighting Controls Association (LCA), an ILC Organizer, published a new learning module, EE302., Part 3: A Year with a Networked Lighting Control System. Education Express is a free online education program (registration is required) that provides opportunities for continuing education units. The new module was designed to help building owners/managers and electrical industry consultants visualize networked lighting controls as tools that can be used to improve operations while also saving energy.

To learn more and take the module visit LCA Education Express.

DOE released 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 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) provides up to $80M to help advance innovative building technologies, including next generation lighting.

The ILC is designed to help facility owners and managers take advantage of savings opportunities and benefits of advanced lighting controls and integrated lighting systems.

The Next Frontier in Lighting: Getting Connected with the Integrated Lighting Campaign workshop is now available at the Better Buildings Solution Center.  View all the recorded presentations and materials from the 2020 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit.

This toolkit collects resources to help facility owners and managers take advantage of savings opportunities from high-efficiency interior lighting solutions.

2015 – 2019 ILC outcomes report distills four years of results and lessons learned.

Engineering Company Recognized for Advanced Use of Lighting Sensors and Controls.

New Integrated Lighting Campaign Categories Reflect Emerging Industry Priorities

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has more than 1,075 buildings with 137 truck station campuses across the state. MnDOT’s Cedar Avenue truck station, located in Richfield, Minnesota, provides critical roadway snow removal support within the Minneapolis metro area. It includes administrative offices, a training room, and a large breakroom, along with truck maintenance and service facilities.

The focus of this case study is to highlight the strategies used at Cedar Avenue truck station for integrating plug load and lighting systems. An integrated controls pilot project with retrofit installation was conducted from October 2019 to April 2020 and has been recognized by the Integrated Lighting Campaign in the following categories:

• Integrated Controls for Plug Loads & Lighting Systems
• Integrated Controls for HVAC & Lighting Systems

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory staff who lead the U.S. DOE’s Better Buildings Lighting Systems Technology Research Team (https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/alliance/technology-solution/lighting-electrical) will share the latest findings from field demonstration projects of advanced lighting systems. In addition, Integrated Lighting Campaign Participants who were recognized for their successes will also share their insights and lessons learned related to their installations of advanced lighting and control systems. Finally, attendees can provide input on how DOE resources can provide the most valuable impact.