CLTC is developing an integrated building control system for existing commercial buildings. To date, few research efforts have accounted for the interdependence of lighting, fenestration and HVAC systems and the consideration of HVAC status in an integrated approach to optimize whole building energy-efficiency via a single, unified control platform.
CLTC is a trusted resource for up-to-date lighting information and practical guidance on energy-efficient building technologies. We would like to introduce our new Lighting Best Practices Series with the release of two publications:
The potential to reduce energy consumption in existing and commercial buildings is enormous. On average, 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Lighting has a large potential for energy savings for any U.S. building end use, with a significant fraction of that potential coming from lighting controls.
One of the features of networked lighting controls is the ability to monitor lighting energy use over time and adjust the system to achieve the best possible performance. Facility managers can match system use to expectations and adjust system settings to result in optimized user comfort while maximizing savings. Real-time energy monitoring offered by some control systems has also piqued the interest of utility program managers in locations in the U.S. where rebates assist with the accelerated adoption of emerging technologies.
CLTC, in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and the California IBEW-NECA Labor Management Cooperation Committee (CA LMCC) is working to expand career pathways in the electrical industry. With new funding from the California Energy Commission, CLTC will develop training resources to increase workforce development opportunities in disadvantaged communities.
So cool, so green! That’s what Sierra magazine says about the University of California, Davis — ranked No. 2 in the magazine’s 2015 “Cool Schools” report, released on Aug. 11.
This makes four out of the past five years that UC Davis has been among the top five in the environmental magazine’s evaluation of sustainability efforts at U.S. colleges and universities. UC Davis was the No. 1 “Cool School” in 2012.
