Connected Lighting Systems

Lead Performer: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) — Richland, WA  
DOE Total Funding: $4,800,000
Project Term: October 1, 2018 — September 30, 2021
Funding Type: Direct Funding

Project Objective

Connected lighting systems (CLS) comprise an emerging class of lighting infrastructure that does more than just light spaces. Through the incorporation of distributed intelligence, one or more network interfaces, and application-specific sensors, CLS become data collection platforms that enable a wide range of valuable new capabilities. While application-specific CLS with access to the right data have the potential to be significantly more energy-efficient than their historical counterparts, their cost is unlikely to be justified by energy savings alone.

The objective of this research is to define, address, and improve upon six key areas of solid-state lighting-based CLS that are key to enabling the energy-savings potential. These focus areas include energy-reporting accuracy, system-level energy performance, interoperability and system integration, important new features, cybersecurity vulnerability, and electrical immunity. This research will support development of new metrics, methods of measurement, and industry standards for connected lighting components and systems.

Project Impact

This CLS research will increase the likelihood that emerging products and integrated systems will result in significant energy savings, lighting service improvements, and value-added benefits for building owners and occupants as well as city managers and residents. The research team will not focus directly on improving specific CLS components, but instead will examine and reveal common challenges and limitations as well as potential value-added opportunities emerging from CLS technology. This research will help contribute to and stimulate technology evolution and develop guidance for key industry stakeholder groups. This project contributes to the DOE Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Program Goals scenario, in which the annual energy savings attributable to lighting controls increases by 48% in 2030, from 741 TBtu under the Current SSL Path scenario to 1100 TBtu.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Erika Gupta
Lead Performer: Michael Poplawski, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

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