Lighting Controls Software for Self-Commissioning and Optimized Energy Savings

Commercial lighting controls are often cumbersome, require extensive wiring and other logistics and are expensive. A much simpler turn-key method for implementing daylighting is preferably. EFOIs solution, called the CRICKET Network, includes ultra-simple sensor along with advanced LED lighting units and the advanced controls software to be developed here. EFOI will develop a low cost Control system for the lighting in commercial buildings. The project will develop lamp-to-lamp communication and optimization software that integrates EFOIs breakthrough sensor technology into a system which is self-commissioning, safely minimizes energy use, and integrates a demand response function. The end objective of the combined Phase I/II effort is a seamless lighting and control system installable at 30 cents a square foot that provides energy savings of over 50% over the state of the art by harvesting daylight efficiently. This will be done with working prototypes installed in a demonstration installation, and committed vendors so the system can be made in the USA with US components. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits The product is being developed primarily for Energy Services Companies (ESCOs), the very companies identified by the White Houses Better Building Initiative as leading the charge for over $4B in Federal and private building upgrades. The software will be used in a LED lamp, which will maximize commercialization potential by enabling retrofitting of commercial spaces. Almost one quarter of electricity used in the US in buildings is used for lighting. The CRICKET Network will save electricity and therefore significant carbon emissions and millions of dollars per year for the US Economy. EFOI is targeting commercial spaces illuminated with linear fluorescent tubes. These markets give a total of 55 Billion Sq Ft of addressable floor space. The novel sensor will reduce energy used in these fixtures by 31%, saving 0.23 quads of energy. The EFOI team is based in Ohio and has a long history of successful technology transition from R & amp;D to the lighting market. EFOI has over half their sales into the ESCO market today and is well poised to quickly bring this technology to a very broad market.