Reduced energy use is not the only benefit of smart lighting management systems. Aside from energy-efficient daylight harvesting sensors and gradual light intensity as the day progresses, there are a world of possibilities that modern lighting systems offer. Retailers can program sophisticated lighting scenarios, while lamps or light fixtures use wireless communication technology to respond to situations. Functions can range from indoor positioning systems to alarm features. However, this should be based on respective needs and requirements and thus requires an investment that is not solely centered on saving energy.
The use of artificial intelligence and self-learning building management systems will also prompt efficiency improvements in the future. At this stage, several systems already integrate a variety of factors – including updated weather data, number of people inside the building, etc. – to continuously optimize and improve building energy performance strategies.
High levels of transparency, communication, and collaboration are required to unlock the potential of these systems. The technologies must be able to communicate with each other, necessitating vendor-independent interface management.
Besides cross-vendor collaboration, data protection and information privacy are also important aspects to consider. You need better systems to protect sensitive information as more data is consolidated, analyzed, and accessed on online platforms.
Investments in energy efficiency measures and technologies are worthwhile but must still be carefully considered. The EHI study asserts that capital-intensive investments in cooling, HVAC systems or renewable electricity generation do not pay off as quickly as investments in LED technology.