Lighting controls: evolution and revolution

The basic function of a lighting system is to provide a defined amount of light to a space according to context-appropriate design criteria while minimising energy use. Lighting control strategies based on occupancy and daylight adaptation have been consistently shown to substantially lower lighting energy use compared to fixed systems, and are now ubiquitous in building energy codes. The adoption of light emitting diodes and the integration of information and communication technologies enable lighting control systems to become smarter with a greater integration of sensing, data processing and connectivity, and to evolve into a platform for both lighting and non-lighting applications. We describe different lighting control strategies and their evolution with a focus on commercial office applications. To illustrate emerging approaches, we then discuss two particular smart lighting systems – a wireless, distributed lighting control system and a power-over-Ethernet, centralised lighting control system, with cloud connectivity. The role that a connected lighting system can play in the overall building eco-system is then discussed, and new applications and services that are enabled are presented. Finally, we discuss the challenges to the market adoption of connected smart lighting systems, and the arising opportunities for researchers and practitioners to realise one more round of high-value returns offered by lighting systems