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Lighting Systems

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Commercial lighting uses about 4.0 quads of primary energy annually – more than 20% of total commercial building energy use in the United States. Lighting represents a large end-use of electricity and is often targeted for energy savings through energy-efficient lighting and control systems. Through the Lighting Systems Technology Research Team, partners work together to reduce lighting energy use by sharing insights and experiences related to emerging lighting and control systems and documenting the application of solutions. By developing resources like lighting specifications and application guidance, the Team helps build confidence and demand for higher efficiency technology.

Explore a new level of energy savings by integrating lighting with other building systems

Interactive Outdoor Lighting Decision Tree Tool

Events & Webinars

Browse upcoming events and opportunities by clicking through our monthly calendar, registering for upcoming webinars, exploring our On-Demand webinars library, and more!

Join the Integrated Lighting Campaign

Improve your building’s energy and performance by adopting advanced lighting, including lighting that is integrated with other building systems. Join the Campaign to get expert support and technical assistance and earn DOE recognition.

Interior Lighting Toolkit

Find resources to help facility owners and managers take advantage of savings opportunities from high-efficiency interior lighting solutions.

Other Resources

Case Study

Beyond Widgets: Automated Shading Integrated with Lighting Controls Case Study

This case study covers the potential for deeper energy savings and occupant comfort through the integration of lighting controls and automated shading. Research conducted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) found annual energy savings of up to 30%.

Beyond Widgets: Task/Ambient Lighting and Plug Load Control Case Study

This case study by LBNL explains the energy and cost savings potential of task/ambient lighting systems when integrated with plug load occupancy controls. 

Beyond Widgets: Workstation-specific Lighting and Daylight Dimming Case Study

This case study by LBNL explains the energy and cost savings potential of workstation-specific lighting with daylight dimming controls. 

U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters Lighting Retrofit Case Study

The James Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C. – headquarters for the U.S. Department of Energy – implemented a lighting upgrade project through an energy savings performance contract (ESPC), curbing lighting energy use by about 50% and saving nearly $258,000 per year.

Field Validation of Lighting Retrofit with HVAC Integration and Plug Load Controls at CentraCare in Becker, Minnesota Case Study

This case study covers how CentraCare upgraded their Becker, MN site by utilizing a packaged solution for a lighting retrofit, including site survey, design, system selection, and financial assistance with materials and labor.

Field Validation of Lighting Retrofit with HVAC Integration and Plug Load Controls at Hennepin County Building, Minnesota Case Study

This case study highlights how Hennepin County, MN partnered with Slipstream to integrate light-emitting diode (LED) lighting with luminaire-level lighting controls (LLLCs), automatic receptacle (plug load) controls, and HVAC controls on one floor of a multistory building, 

Field Validation of Lighting Retrofit with HVAC Integration and Plug Load Controls at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Case Study

This case study details the field validation of a lighting retrofit with HVAC Integration and Plug Load Controls at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) building. 

Field Validation of Lighting Retrofit with HVAC Integration and Plug Load Controls at City-Owned Building in City of St. Paul, Minnesota Case Study

This case study details the field validation of a lighting retrofit with HVAC integration and plug load controls at City of St. Paul Streets Maintenance Division building.

Field Validation of Lighting Retrofit with HVAC Integration and Plug Load Controls at the University of Minnesota Case Study

This case study details the field validation of a lighting retrofit with HVAC integration and plug load controls at the University of Minnesota Jones Hall building. 

Fact Sheet

Wireless Occupancy Sensors for Lighting Controls Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides federal facility managers with an overview of the energy savings potential of wireless lighting occupancy sensors for room types, cost, installation of wireless sensors, light source, and codes and standards.

High Efficiency Troffer Lighting Fact Sheet

This fact sheet summarizes key components of the Better Buildings High Efficiency Troffer Lighting Specification and how to apply it to save energy and money by upgrading to high- efficiency LED technology.

Upgrading Troffer Luminaires to LED Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides technical information on initial costs, operating costs, current light levels, and dimming requirements to consider when deciding on an LED upgrade for a fluorescent troffer system.

LED Retrofit Kits, TLEDs, and Lighting Controls: An Application Guide Fact Sheet

Retrofitting fluorescent troffers with LED sources can lead to project-level savings between 20% and 60%. To achieve these savings while maintaining high-quality lighting, facility managers need to consider a number of factors — this fact sheet provides retrofitting guidance, including the LED and control options available, the benefits and disadvantages of each option, and agency-specific requirements.

Report

Interior Lighting Campaign 2015 – 2019 Results Report

Interior Lighting Campaign (ILC) participants have replaced more than 3.5 million lighting systems saving roughly 800 million kWh of electricity annually and $85 million in energy costs. This report summarizes 4 years of results and lessons learned after reviewing more than 3,500 retrofit projects submitted through the ILC.

Internet of Things (IoT) Products and Applications: Lighting Manufacturer and End-User Perspectives Report

This report from PNNL summarizes research into industry and customer needs around the adoption of IoT technologies and lays out the barriers and best practices that need to be addressed to move forward.

Evaluation of Advanced Lighting Control Systems in a Working Office Environment Report

The full report and report summary focuses on an evaluation of a set of advanced lighting control systems and their potential application to U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) facilities.

Toolkits

Upgrade Your Parking Lot or Structure by Upgrading to High-Efficiency Lighting Toolkit

The latest high-efficiency alternatives with energy-saving controls—including light-emitting diode (LED), induction, and fluorescent technology options—can save building owners over 40% on their parking lot lighting bills.

Upgrade Your Interior Lighting to High-Efficiency Solutions Toolkit

This toolkit collects resources from the Interior Lighting Campaign to help facility owners and managers take advantage of savings opportunities from high-efficiency interior lighting solutions.

Webinar

Advanced Lighting Controls with LED Webinar

Researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory evaluated five different LED systems with ALC at a test-bed site in Fort Worth, Texas, and provided an analysis of the added savings and costs of the controls as well as guidance on where ALC with LED can be best deployed.

The Next Frontier in Lighting: Getting Connected with the Integrated Lighting Campaign Webinar

This interactive 2020 Summit workshop provided an in-depth look at how leading-edge lighting systems are capable of communicating with other building systems to enable additional energy-saving opportunities while collecting valuable insights about a business’s operations.

Contacts

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Michael Myer, Senior Lighting Research Scientist with the Energy Policy and Economics Group, has been with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for 12 years. Prior to joining PNNL, he worked as an architectural lighting designer in New York. Michael became an architectural lighting designer after completing his M.S. in Lighting at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his B.A. in Theatre at Arizona State University. Since joining PNNL, he has worked on a wide-ranging number of lighting projects. Michael splits his time across a variety of programs, including Building Energy Codes and Federal Appliance Standards, Commercial Building Integration, and Advanced Lighting/Solid-State Lighting. These programs provide him with a cross-cutting point of view where he can borrow and share across the programs. Michael has been involved in many field evaluations and demonstrations.

Better Buildings Alliance