High-Efficiency Lighting Systems With Advanced Controls

The adoption of LED modules coupled with advanced control systems allows a high level of performance both for occupant's satisfaction and for energy performance. The article describes the lighting design process and highlights that the impact of controls on the energy performance can be very high. A complete case study of a lighting system renovation implemented in a library room is shown. The library was divided in different zones. In each zone, the optimal control was adopted. Energy results demonstrated improvements in energy savings and performance via the proposed means. The energy performances measured before the renovation and after the renovation were 72 and 8.5 kW h/m
²
per year, respectively, with a saving of more than 70%. The article introduces a double-level on/off switch, one based on the soft BUS control and the other based on deep switch of the power circuit that allows saving of the standby power during the long off-time and increases the reliability. The article highlights the importance of postinstallation phases, which concern parameter programming and optimization. Only because of a careful measurement and monitoring system it is possible to optimize operation of the automatic control systems and to implement the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach.