CLTC, in partnership with Southern California Edison, completed a project portfolio from 2014-2018 to assess controls, lighting, and daylighting technologies and their potential for commercial applications. The projects have elements of market assessment, EM&V, and selected demonstrations.

The project focus is on evaluating the following technologies:

Advanced lighting control systems (ALCS) provide networked control and monitoring capabilities of connected luminaires via onboard metering and system reporting features. These advanced features allow system owners to dynamically balance visual comfort and lighting energy use. CLTC, in collaboration with SDG&E, developed a technology validation program to determine the accuracy and reliability of onboard metering and system reporting features of advanced lighting control systems.

The California Community Colleges (CCC) and the project team at the University of California collaborated on a shared initiative to improve and advance energy efficiency workforce development to meet industry standards and employer needs in the clean energy economy. The project team will assess and improve existing CCC training programs over the course of this project.

CLTC partnered with Bosch to demonstrate the Bosch Direct Current Building-Scale Microgrid Platform (DCBMP) at an American Honda Motor Co., Inc. warehouse facility. Bosch demonstrated the effectiveness of the DCBMP, a commercial-scale DC building microgrid that integrates advanced technologies to provide reliable power to the connected loads, resilience during grid outages, increased building energy efficiency and renewable energy utilization.

Lighting projects that involve updating CFL lighting systems should consider all viable retrofit options. When retrofitting between CFL four-pin lamps and LED solutions, it is important to observe safety precautions and consider performance variables.

CLTC researchers are developing a standard methodology for conducting field demonstrations to better inform energy codes and standards enhancement.

The California Lighting Technology Center partnered with San Diego Gas & Electric and two Southern California cities on a project to help accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient advanced outdoor lighting control systems.

The project evaluated outdoor wireless lighting control systems that allows for remote operation and monitoring of fixtures using a web-enabled central management system. Laboratory and field assessments were conducted for separate systems installed as part of citywide retrofit projects in San Diego and Chula Vista.

Linear fluorescent lamps account for 83 percent of installed lamps in the California commercial sector per a lighting market characterization performed in 2014. LED lighting products are receiving attention for their potential to replace fluorescent lighting, reduce energy use and improve lighting quality in a variety of indoor commercial applications, including offices, classrooms and retail stores.

Public buildings across California are undergoing retrofits as part of efforts to meet state energy and climate goals, including those mandated by AB 1109, Executive Order B-18-12 and the Lighting Action Plan of the California Public Utilities Commission. As funding expands and legislative deadlines approach, facility managers feel increasing pressure to act, but they face a daunting task in selecting from the growing number of lighting solutions on the market.

California’s 2013 Title 24 requirements for building energy efficiency call for some high-efficacy lighting in a limited number of residential space types, such as kitchens and bathrooms. A future code requirement that all residential lighting be high efficacy has the potential to yield significant energy savings across the state, but implementation must first be proven practical and cost-effective.