Computer Model for Sensor-Less Daylight Harvesting

The positive effects of Daylight Harvesting (DH) for commercial buildings, has been widely researched by experts and building designers. Offsetting the required artificial lighting through intelligent lighting control and increasing the amount of daylight used in the design, has significant benefits for investors and the environment. It equates to reduced maintenance costs, lower carbon emissions, improved health benefits for occupants, and creates a better working environment. There is also a significant monetary benefit, with studies showing that 30-40% of a building’s total energy consumption can be attributed to lighting. Daylight harvesting can offset this cost through energy savings. Despite the benefits of daylight harvesting, decision makers in commercial building design and building owners, tend not to implement these systems. Experts suggest the reasons for this is due to the difficulty of implementing designs, complication of systems and calculations, the requirement of specialised knowledge and software, and the lack of information on real life cycle costs and return on investment. This dissertation outlines a newly proposed computer simulated model using MATLAB and Simulink, based on innovative technology, to harvest daylight without the use of multiple sensors. This is called Sensor-less Daylight Harvesting (SDH). Using this tool, building owners can visualise the benefits and cost involved with implementing daylight harvesting systems during the design phase of a building project, leading to, more efficient lighting designs clear financial details on return on investment, standards and regulations compliance including NABERS, Wells and Australian standards and accurate energy savings, without the requirement of site calibration