SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS
SMART LIGHTING NETWORKS Data also plays a key role in smart, sustainable, lighting networks. The standardised DALI protocol is built to enable data-rich networks in which the feedback and exchange of data is enabled by two-way digital communication. DALI control gear then routinely reports output levels, lamp failure information, emergency test data and other information to application controllers. These are the decision-making devices in a DALI system. This valuable data feeds into the lighting control system and triggers automated, real-time changes, that in turn lead to energy savings. To standardise the location and format of new
PLACING SUSTAINABILITY UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
The need to ensure lighting is sustainable and
energy efficient is going to remain a key focus for those working across the building environment sector. As one of the key ways to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions, connected lighting is here to stay, as Tim Whitaker from the DALI Alliance explains
N
ew lighting technologies, in particular the shift towards LED light sources, has delivered
huge gains with regard to reducing energy consumption. By introducing sophisticated lighting systems, enabled by protocols such as DALI, the energy savings can be even greater. DALI can also make additional important
contributions to sustainable lighting systems through extended luminaire lifetimes, and future-proofing.
LIGHTING CONTROL One of the most inefficient elements of a building is having lighting on even when a space is unused. To counter this, an effective approach would be to introduce an automated DALI lighting control system with sensors to detect occupancy, movement and daylight levels. The utilisation of a PIR sensor means presence and movement can be detected in different spaces. The system then responds by turning lights on and off when needed. By only being on when the area is in use, unnecessary electricity use can be massively reduced. Thinking about daylight levels, light level sensors are an additional tool in the drive for
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energy savings. Sensor data informs the system how much natural light is available in a particular location, and the artificial lighting levels can then be increased or decreased accordingly. Greater energy savings can be achieved with
a more sophisticated lighting control system, for example by adding more functions and more intelligence. This does, of course, require suitable software that is intuitive and user- friendly. Looking at the role of DALI, this
types of data that can be stored in control gear such as LED drivers, several DALI data specifications have been developed. This data, which is drawn from the light sources, luminaires and the drivers, can be used for asset management, energy monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and a variety of other applications. Bolstering this, some drivers have the capability to report real-time energy usage and power consumption. This is incredibly useful, as the savings achieved through the effective use of a lighting control system can only be quantified if energy consumption is effectively monitored. To build up an accurate picture of savings, it is important not only to measure the overall energy usage, but also to understand the specifics of different areas in a building – or even inside individual luminaires. Predictive maintenance also helps with
sustainability. LED drivers can report a wide range of operational and diagnostics data, allowing the system to proactively alert a facilities or operations manager to any faults. Employing this data-informed predictive maintenance strategy, rather than a rudimentary time-led one where replacements are scheduled after a fixed period of time, can deliver significant savings. This in turn contributes to the overall sustainability of the lighting control system.
AN EFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLE, SOLUTION While there is a lot to consider when designing a new or improved lighting scheme, an effective DALI lighting control system can offer huge gains with regard to sustainability, energy consumption, and advantageous use of data. As a global industry organisation focused on standardisation and market acceptance, the DALI Alliance also enables the broad adoption, scale and technology leadership that is needed to make a real step-change across the industry. Ultimately, whatever the
Lighting at Manchester Airport (Laing O’Rourke)
protocol can standardise the functionality of input devices such as switches, sliders and push-button devices.
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2023
requirements of a lighting system, standardisation with DALI has been proven to deliver an efficient, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective solution.
DALI Alliance
www.dali-alliance.org
www.essmag.co.uk
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