San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization

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Technology Tuesdays

This week, I would like to continue a conversation I began in my last post. As I stated before, according to Southern California Edison, lighting can account for as much as 39% of your electricity load.

SO… it makes sense to be IN CONTROL of your lighting and utilizing lighting controls is the best way to accomplish that.

Here are some additional examples:

Daylight Response – Daylight-responsive controls contain a light sensor (photosensor) that dims lights as the amount of available sunlight increases. Alternatively, they increase light when available sunlight decreases. These devices are a convenient way to take advantage of available sunlight and help to avoid unnecessary energy usage.

Typically, these devices can save up to 28% on lighting energy and take the guesswork out of lighting adjustment.

Task Tuning – The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) publishes recommendations for acceptable lighting in varying applications. As you look around your facility, you may notice a similar level of existing lighting in all workspaces. However, copy rooms may not need as much lighting as an individuals’ workstation. Additionally, a breakroom may require less lighting still, according to the IES.

It is recommended to light spaces to the minimum recommended level; not above. This can be accomplished by installing lower wattage lamps or de-lamping in some spaces which can generate roughly 36% in lighting savings.

Demand Response – Many energy users are on a Time-of-Use rate plan with their utility. This means, they are charged more for energy during certain times of the day (peak). Reducing lighting power during peak times saves money. Also, reducing lighting power when the utility has communicated an emergency and requests a decrease in energy consumption.

Demand response can be achieved manually, or it can be automated using an Energy Management System (EMS).

Let METU start saving money for you!

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Sources: https://lightingcontrolsassociation.org/2017/07/21/introduction-to-lighting-controls/