Intelligent lighting set to revolutionise energy management
It is hard to believe that with lighting accounting for 19% of all global electricity consumption, only a tiny percentage of lighting in commercial spaces is controlled by anything other than a basic on/off switch and the majority of traditional lamps in use consume over 70% more power than the most energy efficient luminaires available on the market today. For years we have tried to educate one another to switch off the lights when we leave a room with polite reminders and notices left in kitchens and bathrooms. However, our best efforts are having a minimal effect compared to the astonishing number of commercial spaces and warehouses that are left permanently lit for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Imagine how much this is costing a business!
Why is this happening?
Intelligent lighting or automated lighting is by no means a new concept; the technology to control lighting remotely has been steadily progressing for many decades. Basic infrared motion sensors have
been in use for a number of years in ‘green’ offices but the traditional fluorescent and HID lamps used in large commercial spaces are not designed to be switched on and off regularly. For example, HIDs used in cold stores must cool down after being switched off before they can be turned on again. This can take up to ten minutes and is the primary reason why many warehouses choose to leave the lights on permanently.
LEDs, on the other hand, can be switched off and on as often as necessary and are ideal for use with sensors and controls. However, it is only in the last few years that LEDs have reached the required energy efficiency levels and become a financially viable option for replacing HIDs and fluorescents.
Advances in lighting technology
Most people are unaware of just how quickly the technology behind LEDs has advanced in recent years, particularly in terms of energy efficiency. Between 2009 and 2011 the efficiency of LEDs doubled and LEDs today are more efficient than ever. While fluorescent tubes have doubled in efficiency since 1950, white LED efficiency has increased by a factor of ten since 2000. LEDs also have a lifespan that far exceeds that of traditional lamps and therefore not only require less power to operate but incur lower maintenance costs too.
When coupled with intelligent lighting controls, there is potential to make tremendous savings in commercial spaces using LED luminaires. Some cold store warehouses have seen over a 90% drop in lighting costs using intelligent LED systems! And this doesn’t account for the additional energy savings made by not having to cool the store as much because LEDs are cool to the touch.
Lighting technology has developed to a point where we are now able to revolutionise energy management in commercial spaces. It has advanced so rapidly that most organisations are unaware of what intelligent LEDs have to offer and some may find the results almost unbelievable. However, experts predict that it will not be long before we make the switch suggesting as much as 46% of the world’s commercial lighting will be LED in the next five years. More about intelligent lighting.