Networked lighting controls (NLC) enable many useful functions, including dimming, high-end trim, occupancy/vacancy sensing, scheduling, and daylight harvesting. A recent article by Levin Nock of the Design Lights Consortium (DLC) in EC&M argues that a NLC function of growing importance is demand response (DR). Demand response is when end-users voluntarily reduce electricity usage at peak periods to obtain better utility rates or other financial incentives. Sometimes this involves allowing the utility to send DR signals to the facility to start turning down or offloads, during peak periods.

Electric utilities are willing to provide the incentives to reduce peak loads because wholesale electricity at peak periods is at significantly higher cost to utilities. Extreme peak demand periods can also threaten the stability of the electric grid. DLC estimates that NLC can reduce LED lighting loads by up to 50%, and if integrated with HVAC can deliver energy reductions of up to 20% of total building energy.

Nock’s full EC&M article can be found here, and more information on the DLC NLC Program can be found here.

Image: Lutron Athena Dashboard

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and President of Lighting Solution Development, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has co-chaired ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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