Energy saving is a topic that has been in vogue for several years. One of the ways to achieve this saving is through lighting controls, which can be part of an energy efficiency macro project that includes the automation of other services of a building or installation. It should be remembered that the lights can be controlled with dimmers, timers, occupancy sensors, among other systems.On the automation of various systems within a building, including lighting, David M. Weinstein, vice president of sales for the Window Systems Division of Lutron Electronics, said that it is common to find integrations between light and blind systems, energy-saving functions and even integration with security systems in which lights react to intrusions and emergency situations.
Around the world there are multiple buildings that can illustrate the above, The New York Times Building is one of them. This building reduced energy consumption by 70%, which represents a saving of 315,100 dollars per year and 1,200 metric tons less CO2 emissions. Among its main features, this construction offers large spaces and large windows that allow an excellent view towards the neighboring skyscrapers; In addition, the entire building is built to obtain the maximum use of light. For this purpose, it was necessary to install Lutron's Quantum solution, which uses sunlight control strategies, occupancy monitoring, time control, among others.
The 70% of energy savings that this building has obtained was discriminated as follows: 10% thanks to the occupancy sensors (they turn off the lights if the spaces are empty), 2% was due to the schedules (the lighting changes during certain hours of the day), another 30% came from the use of sunlight (the intensity of artificial light is decreased during the hours of the day), and 58% thanks to the adaptation of light levels, that is, each space has a different level of lighting according to its needs. In this case, sensors are installed to make the most of the brightness of the space, continuously and imperceptibly the levels of electric light are adjusted maintaining a consistent level of lighting all the time, so that people do not perceive the changes. In addition, each floor is divided by areas, each has its own levels that adjust to the requirements of employees and the work that is done in a certain place, also according to the amount of sunlight that penetrates the space. To achieve that level of accuracy it was necessary to install around 18,000 sensors.
Regarding Latin America, Weinstein opined that what is fundamentally lacking in the region is a more educated customer in the face of lighting control technology and added that "the value of a lighting control system and blinds versus an on/off switch or a manual blind is significant. Our main obstacle to growth is customer knowledge and education on this issue."
