The estimated 26.5 million streetlights in the U.S. consume as much electricity each year as 1.9 million households, and generate greenhouse gas emissions equal to that produced by 2.6 million cars. Switching these streetlights to LED can save energy and money, and incorporating remote monitoring and adaptive lighting control systems can increase those savings substantially.
Intended as a living document that will evolve to accommodate future changes in the market, the model specification provides suggested high-level requirements and a template for translating unique user needs into clear and consistent language. This version has undergone public review to gather input from users, technology providers, and other industry stakeholders to determine what requirements should be mandatory, how best to support the breadth of system architectures and features available in the marketplace, and where the development of standards that reduce user risk could be encouraged.
Leviton recently announced the expansion of its suite of energy management technology with the launch of its revenue-grade VerifEye Submetering Solutions. Easy to install and maintenance-free, VerifEye provide users with turn-key tenant billing implementation. VerifEye enables tracking, monitoring and verification of real-time energy usage, providing precise data for billing, reducing operating costs and allowing users to experience long-term energy savings of 15 to 20 percent. A robust, comprehensive submetering platform, VerifEye delivers a seamless solution to simplifying the complexities of allocating energy costs and billing tenants, while enabling smart metering and LEED compliance requirements.
VerifEye gives energy managers the ability to easily identify precisely how and where energy is being used throughout a facility, from the individual circuit-level to tenant-occupied spaces and major building systems loads. Enhancing user accountability and driving the implementation of energy-saving programs in virtually any application environment, its energy measurement and verification solutions are ideal for installation in multi-tenant residential and commercial facilities, commercial offices, retail spaces and manufacturing facilities.
The portfolio of VerifEye solutions includes submeters, communication products for data translation and software options for tenant billing or energy monitoring. The submeters record consumption data in real-time and transmit the output to the communication products that send the data to the Energy Manager Data Center where it is stored, managed and used for reporting. Users can utilize the online Leviton Energy Manager to view energy usage reports or the PC-based Leviton BillSuite software to generate tenant electricity bills, helping to accelerate cash flow and improve profitability.
VerifEye Submeters are available in single-phase (Series 1000) and three-phase (Series 2000) versions in steel and NEMA 4X enclosures. The Series 1000 and Series 2000 submeters measure kilowatt hour consumption and demand. For applications requiring higher levels of output metrics, Series 3000 Smart Meters additionally provide instantaneous power, voltage, amperage, wattage, volt-ampere reactive (VAR) and volt-ampere (VA) per phase measurements. Leviton Mini Meter™ submeters afford the most cost-effective option for measuring energy consumption. All VerifEye submeters feature LED displays for quick, easy visualization of power status and signal strength.
VerifEye’s open architecture provides easy integration building management system (BMS) platforms. VerifEye also provides seamless integration with third-party billing systems, as well as utility company steam, gas and water meters, providing a comprehensive picture of total facility energy utility usage.
VerifEye Submetering Solutions are available in wired, wireless and IP versions to meet site-specific needs and afford contractor-friendly installation in new construction and retrofit environments. VerifEye is UL Listed, cULus and ANSI C12.1 certified.
Acuity Brands, Inc. recently introduced Lithonia Lighting D-Series Area LED luminaires integrated with Sensor Switch motion sensors. The D-Series Area Size 1 and Size 2 LED luminaires utilize motion sensors to increase energy savings in outdoor applications, saving approximately 80% in energy than comparable fixed output metal halide fixtures.
D-Series Area LED luminaires provide a modern look ideal for many commercial and municipal applications, including parking lots, plazas, campuses and streetscapes. Ideal for 15-to 30-foot mounting heights, the luminaire-mounted motion sensor provides a 15-to 20-foot coverage radius and a 300-degree coverage pattern. Innovative presets gradually dim the LED luminaire to a pre-set “low” level when the area becomes unoccupied, achieving energy savings while still providing security lighting. When motion is detected, the luminaires quickly ramp to the full output. The motion sensors feature nine fully programmable attributes including maximum output, motion time delay, dimmed level, fade down and ramp up times.
Version 4 of the popular Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system is expected to be released at Greenbuild in November 2013.
Final balloting to approve the new LEED version is expected to occur in June, so we don’t know exactly what will be contained in the new rating system. One thing is almost certain, which is that the prerequisite for the Energy + Atmosphere section will change from the 2007 to the 2010 version of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 energy standard.
This is because the 2010 version of 90.1 is now the national energy standard. By October 2013, all states in the country must put in place a commercial building energy code at least as stringent as ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 or justify why they can’t comply.
This standard is expected to be tough to beat in terms of both lighting power densities and controls. For controls, ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 requires automatic shutoff, bilevel lighting and daylight harvesting in a wide range of applications. These requirements are mandatory, meaning compliance translates to satisfying the LEED prerequisite.
What control options are available that can go beyond the prerequisite and earn LEED Energy + Atmosphere points?
The solution may be contained in the language of the standard. ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 contains mandatory control requirements (you have to do this) but also lists advanced control options that may be institute in exchange for a power credit (you do this, and you get more watts for the design as function of the control strategy and the size of the controlled loads).
The advanced control options, applicable to interior lighting systems, are found in Table 9.6.2 (applicable to the Space by Space design compliance method) and include:
• manual or programmable dimming control (must be combined with occupancy sensing in meeting and training spaces);
• multilevel occupancy sensors controlling the downlight component of workstation-specific luminaires with continuous dimming to OFF, which may be combined with occupant dimming of this downlight component;
• automatic bilevel or multilevel switching or continuous dimming daylight harvesting control in primary daylight zones under restrictive conditions related to effective aperture and size of zone; and
• automatic continuous dimming daylight harvesting control in secondary sidelighted daylight zones with a daylight aperture considered large enough.
Again, implementing these strategies above and beyond all applicable mandatory strategies is rewarded with a power adjustment credit using the following formula:
Additional Interior Lighting Power Allowance = Lighting Power Under Control (watts) x Control Factor (specific to the given control strategy by space type, from Table 9.6.2)
The control factor is specific to control strategy (manual dimming, etc.) and space type (open office, private office, meeting space and various public spaces). The factor ranges from 0.05 (manual dimming in a private office) to 0.30 (occupancy sensing controlling the downlight component of workstation-specific luminaires with continuous dimming to OFF combined with personal continuous dimming).
So if manual dimming is implemented to control a 1000W load in a retail sales area, resulting in a control factor of 0.10, 100W of additional lighting power is gained, which can be used by the designer anywhere within the building.
It’s a good addition to the code, as it provides additional options to achieve flexibility. It might also be useful for LEED. What if the additional lighting power was not claimed as additional lighting watts but instead as direct energy savings?
The Lighting Controls Association contacted the USGBC about this issue and received this reply:
“If a project is pursuing LEED certification using the building energy simulation option (modeling per ASHRAE 90.1-2010), and the optional lighting controls are installed, the additional lighting power allowance would be added to the baseline building lighting power allowance for that space. Any reduction from that value in the proposed building could be claimed as savings.”
The Lighting Controls Association has interpreted this to mean that Table 9.6.2 in ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 provides control options that can be used to either achieve additional lighting power using the Space by Space Method OR reduce energy consumption and thereby contribute to LEED Energy + Atmosphere points.
Suggested energy savings are built into the standard. In our above example, using manual dimming in a retail sales area to control a 1000W load would result in 100W of power savings that could be applied to LEED.
Again, this particular method of claiming energy savings would be applicable only to those projects that use the Space by Space Method of compliance.
This may be beneficial for designers of lighting systems in LEED projects, as it opens a range of lighting control strategies that can be enacted to exceed the minimum standard criteria and earn LEED Energy + Atmosphere points.
This short video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2012 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Leviton’s universal dimmer line.
The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls in nonresidential applications. In the award’s second year (2012), 13 projects were recognized with an Award of Merit.
This month, we will explore the lighting control scheme for the UB Alumni Arena at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Lighting control design by Paul D. Mercier, LC, IALD, Kimberly R. Mercier, PE, LEED-AP, both lighting designers with Lighting Design Innovations; and Peter T. vom Scheidt, PE, LC, lighting designer with Wendel. Photography by Robert Maxwell, Paul Hokanson and Paul Mercier. Lighting control manufacturer: Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC).
Existing arena lighting was insufficient? control was ON/OFF and “all ON” use was the norm in the facility that is open 18 hours daily. Furthermore, events required a separate control system. The designers were challenged to integrate controls into a single system, customize lighting solutions for multiple users, and save energy and maintenance costs. The lighting solution met all objectives on budget.
Intramural usage employs dual-lamp 310W 92 CRI ceramic metal halide highbays. Energy consumption is 35% less than existing. Lamps are dimmable and allow light levels from 50% to 100% with consistent uniformity.
Architectural, emergency, and theatrical control are integrated creating a single user interface for all lighting. Users access preset scenes through touchscreen panels and keypad stations. Password protected access limits control to assigned clearances.
NCAA metrics are met by 1000W metal halide sportslighters that replaced existing 1500W luminaires. Controlling light to the Basketball/Volleyball court and maintaining darker surroundings improves visual clarity.
Wrestling is more compact. The Wrestling scene utilizes 40% fewer luminaires than Basketball/Volleyball, creating intimacy in the large venue. Existing sportslighters required lamp changes every 6 months. New controls limit use to NCAA events? the time of use savings increases lamp life to 6 years.
NCAA, HD Broadcast, and IESNA requirements for uniformity, horizontal and vertical footcandle values are achieved.
Theatrical queuing over distributed Ethernet/DMX control. Luminaires are multifunction? LED “starfield” downlights and T5HO track luminaires are also utilized for egress.
DMX and zoned control for pushbutton functionality result in more effective lighting at a fraction of the previous O&M costs.
512 channels of DMX control theatrical and moving lights for distinguished speakers? eliminating the need for additional rental lighting for broadcasted events.
Multiuse functionality through control of the lighting systems has resulted in extreme energy savings and O&M reductions. The side effect? The home teams are winning.
Hubbell Building Automation’s WASP2 won Best of Category for Controls, Building Integration, Site Automation and Distribution Systems at the LIGHTFAIR 2013 Innovation Awards in Philadelphia.
The WASP2 Fluorescent High Bay Occupancy Sensor provides occupancy-based ON/OFF control of high-bay fluorescent fixtures in warehouse, distribution centers and similar facilities. The product features an integrated daylight sensor that can turn the lights OFF when there is ample daylight. Single and dual-output versions, interchangeable area and aisle lens options, low- and line-voltage models, low-temperature (-40°C)/water-tight versions, five-year warranty.
Philips’ Programmable Xtreme CosmoPolis Ballast is a fully controllable HID ballast for use with Philips high-efficiency CosmoPolis ceramic metal halide lamps. The ballast is programmable via a USB interface from Philips and downloadable software. Two-way communication and monitoring is enabled via the DALI protocol. It’s ideal for wireless mesh network control.
Additionally, the ballast has onboard standalone features that can be programmed for bilevel dimming, scheduled dimming and dimming override. Line-voltage dimming and customizable light levels can be achieved. The ballast also features 208-277V operation, integral 10kV/5kA surge protection and a rated life of 80,000 hours to 10% failures at 80C case temperature.
WattStopper has announced a modular panel to provide electrical contractors with cost-effective code-compliant lighting control for a wide variety of small projects. The new LC8 panel allows installers to quickly configure customized control solutions from just three standard off-the-shelf products. The panel accommodates up to four relay modules, with any combination of two different types of module. Choices include a dual single-pole 120/277 VAC relay module and a single double-pole 208/240/480 VAC relay module. Each panel is equipped with a system clock and touch screen interface for simple scheduled control, including astronomic control options. Accessories include an exterior photocell and a new line of low-profile decorator style switches for manual control.
The LC8 is ideal for applications such as small stand-alone retail projects, libraries or bank buildings, or for controlling lobbies, corridors, public spaces or exteriors of larger buildings. The new panel will appeal to electrical distributors as well as contractors because it is a price leader in its category, and because its modular design facilitates quick and easy configuration for so many applications.
Panel configuration takes just a few minutes, and each panel provides zone-based control of up to eight channels of lighting. The relay modules simply clip onto a DIN rail in the LC8 panel via integral connectors. Zones respond to control signals from the system clock or accessory photocells, switches, occupancy sensors or other input devices. The panel is shipped with pre-programmed control scenarios to simplify setup of automatic lighting control for energy savings and code compliance. Users program the LC8 with a backlit touch screen interface that offers context-sensitive on-screen help.
In addition to the LC8, WattStopper recently introduced a companion line of LVSW-100 Series low voltage switches for applications that require manual control. The low profile 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 8-button switches are compatible with standard single-gang decorator style wall plates. Additionally, the switches feature replaceable buttons, so that each switch may be customized in the field, either with different color buttons or with custom-engraved buttons. Buttons can be replaced without removing the switch from the wall. Each switch button includes an LED pilot light that displays the status of connected LC8 panel relays. LVSW-100 Series switches and button kits are available in five colors.
By Lighting Controls Association, on April 29, 2013
Schneider Electric offers a free whitepaper addressing measurement and verification of lighting systems.
Measurement and verification (M&V) defines a process used to track energy performance of equipment, systems and buildings, enabling evaluation and comparison. M&V plans have become an essential element in many LEED Projects as well as many public projects.
The whitepaper, authored by Scott Jordan, product manager for the LifeSpace Division of Schneider Electric, addresses the various types of M&V plans used to evaluate lighting systems, provided benefits and implementation of an M&V system.
Acuity Brands, Inc. recently introduced 
This standard is expected to be tough to beat in terms of both lighting power densities and controls. For controls, ASHRAE/IES 90.1-2010 requires automatic shutoff, bilevel lighting and daylight harvesting in a wide range of applications. These requirements are mandatory, meaning compliance translates to satisfying the LEED prerequisite.
Hubbell Building Automation’s 
Schneider Electric offers a free whitepaper addressing measurement and verification of lighting systems.
