Updating requirements related to energy monitoring and cybersecurity, NLC5.1 is the latest step in the DLC’s effort to expand adoption of NLC technology

MEDFORD, MA – April 22, 2024 – The DesignLights Consortium marked Earth Day with the release of a draft update to its Networked Lighting Controls Technical Requirements (NLC5.1), continuing efforts to increase market adoption of energy saving and smart building-enabling NLC technology.

May 31 is the deadline for comments on the draft policy, which is tentatively scheduled for final release in July ahead of the DLC’s annual NLC listing update in August. Comments should be submitted to comments@designlights.org using the NLC5.1 Comment Form.

“Research shows that NLCs can increase the energy efficiency of commercial LED lighting projects by an average of about 50 percent – and nearly 70 percent for some building types. Integrating lighting controls with other building systems can push the savings even higher, yet NLCs are still underrepresented in the market,” DLC Executive Director and CEO Tina Halfpenny said. “By continuing to update our NLC requirements, we are aiming to increase investment and uptake in this transformative technology.”

Since its establishment in 2016, the DLC’s NLC program has worked to remove barriers to adoption of NLCs by developing technical requirements that improve cybersecurity, energy reporting and interoperability of lighting control systems. Products that meet DLC requirements are eligible for incentives from 75 percent of North American energy efficiency programs, improving the return-on-investment of NLC systems and thereby future proofing investments in commercial LED upgrades.

The draft NLC5.1 updates, which will not involve any product delisting, address two key areas:

• Energy Monitoring
  • Recognizes ANSI C137.5 and C137.6
  • Recommends that interval data be shared in either .CSV or Excel file types
  • Revises DLC recommendations for file contents

• Cybersecurity
  • Accepts PSA-certified chip level 1
  • Includes updated criteria for acceptance

The proposed updates are available to view in detail on the DLC website. In advance of the May 31 comment deadline, the DLC will host a question-and-answer session on May 6 at 2:00 pm EDT. Register here. Stakeholders can also learn more about NLC system capabilities and DLC requirements by watching our Energy Reporting Update webinar recording here.