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 [...]

  Earlier this year, the U.S. General Service Administration (GSA) published LED Lighting and Controls Guidance for Federal Buildings. The guide was authored by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The document provides guidance for Federal agencies to select the most cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting systems available. It [...]

  Trying to decide if you will attend The DLC Controls Summit this fall? Here are some highlights from the recently published event agenda. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 Panel/Q&A: Pathways to Connected Lighting The DLC’s new playbook will help efficiency program members learn from each other’s experiences. This session will explore how the playbook will [...]

The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) has released their final version of v5.1 Networked Lighting Control technical requirements (NLC5.1). NLC5.1 is a minor revision that contains updates to the policy’s energy monitoring and cybersecurity requirements. There will not be a delisting associated with the policy. Existing listed v5.0 NLC will continue to be DLC listed. Cybersecurity Updates: Now [...]

      The Design Lights Consortium (DLC) has published a new Lighting Controls Best Practices document that explains five basic networked lighting control (NLC) strategies: dimming, high-end trim, occupancy/vacancy sensing, scheduling, and daylight harvesting and gives an overview of how to implement them to maximize energy savings. The guide is written to describe each [...]

In mid-April, the TALQ Consortium released a new version 2.6.0 of its Smart City Protocol. Version 2.6.0 introduces a new Cabinet Control profile, an extension of active periods and new commands for color lights – the latter being aligned with the DALI-2 (IEC 82386) Part 209 definition. The updated TALQ protocol (both data model and [...]

  To improve greenhouse management, Sollum Technologies announced a new strategic partnership with Damatex climate control systems. This collaboration combines the greenhouse lighting control features of Sollum’s proprietary SUN as a Service® cloud platform (SUNaaS®) with Damatex’s advanced climate control systems. The benefits are all about simplifying clients’ daily operations. The synchronization of both control platforms consolidates multiple functions [...]

MHT Technologies, a leader in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) lighting, has released Inspextor Smart Desk, a PoE connected, adjustable-height desk that monitors its surroundings, and communicates through the Inspextor cloud-based software / app. The desk can communicate with different building or workplace management systems. Office workers can select an available desk based on their preferences, whether location, [...]

    Two lighting control trade shows + conferences have emerged in the past couple years: 1. NYControlled produced by IESNYC & DLFNY, and 2. the DLC Controls Summit. Here is an update on each. Both are occurring in October, this year.  NYControlled  The 2024 show has been announced for October 29th, 2024, 11am – 7pm [...]