Blog Posts - 10.12.2024
The lighting industry is undergoing profound change. Sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important in the building sector, while at the same time modern lighting technologies such as LED lighting, intelligent sensors and networked systems are being continuously developed to provide innovative, highly energy-efficient solutions.
In this blog, we take a detailed look at the current lighting trends that are shaping the future of the industry. The focus is on the increased use of daylight to minimise artificial light, the optimisation of lighting control systems to increase efficiency and innovative approaches such as LED upcycling. In addition, three case studies impressively demonstrate how much can be saved through intelligent and efficient lighting systems.
Finally, we take a look at the future of lighting technologies: What potential is there in light sources that collect data? Why is remote control of lighting worthwhile? And how can lighting be used as a network infrastructure for the Internet of Things (IoT) in buildings?
Immerse yourself with us in the fascinating world of lighting trends!
LED technology: Mature, but not at the end.
LED technology has experienced an enormous boom in recent years, almost completely replacing conventional light sources such as fluorescent tubes – mainly due to the ban on fluorescent tubes in Europe. This ban was introduced for several reasons: Fluorescent tubes contain toxic mercury, which is harmful to the environment and requires special disposal measures. They are also considerably less energy efficient than modern LED systems. The ban is intended to accelerate the transition to more sustainable lighting technologies. Find out more about the FL tube ban in this blog post.
The development of LED technology has been characterised by significant progress in recent years. LEDs have evolved from an energy-saving alternative to a key component of intelligent lighting systems. While conventional fluorescent tubes provide around 60 lumens per watt (lm/W), modern LEDs now achieve over 200 lm/W. This means that LEDs produce more light with significantly less energy and therefore play a key role in reducing energy consumption.
A further step in the development of LED technology is the integration of intelligent sensors. These systems automatically adapt the lighting to the ambient conditions and the presence of people, which also saves energy. For example, the light is only switched on when someone enters the room and can be adjusted in brightness depending on the time of day and natural incidence of light. This is particularly advantageous in office buildings and industrial facilities, as it minimises energy consumption in large areas.
Upcycling lighting: conversion instead of complete replacement.
Another important trend in sustainable lighting is the upcycling of existing systems. Instead of completely replacing old systems, efficiency is increased through the targeted replacement of components such as light sources. Switching to modern LED technology significantly reduces energy consumption while retaining the existing infrastructure. This not only saves costs, but also reduces the so-called ‘grey energy’ that would be generated in the manufacture of new products.
Innovative upcycling solutions also include retrofitting existing LED systems with sensor technology if this is not yet integrated. One example of this is the NOMUS Sensor Node, which makes it possible to upgrade luminaires with sensors for motion detection and light control. This improves efficiency as the lighting reacts automatically to ambient conditions.
Work is also increasingly being done to reuse disused LED luminaires and their components. Materials such as aluminium housings or electronic components from old luminaires are being used in new products to reduce the consumption of resources and close the material cycle. The recycling of LED components such as chips and circuit boards is also an emerging trend that not only reduces waste, but also improves the environmental footprint of the entire industry.
Focus on daylight utilisation: saving energy through natural light.
Lighting systems and buildings that make optimum use of daylight are key components of modern sustainable building technologies. New buildings should be planned in such a way that as much daylight as possible enters during the day. The use of daylight sensors is crucial for new and existing buildings. Such sensors recognise when and how much daylight is available and adjust the artificial lighting accordingly. The reduced operating time of the lighting reduces energy consumption without minimising room comfort.
Especially in stairwells, offices or entrances, this type of lighting offers a cost-efficient solution as existing resources are better utilised. In combination with intelligent lighting systems that integrate motion sensors, buildings can significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
Would you like to find out how much energy, costs and CO2 you can save thanks to daylight and motion sensor technology? This energy calculator will provide you with all the important data in just a few minutes.
Stricter guidelines for energy-efficient lighting.
With the increasing focus on sustainability, legal regulations are also becoming stricter. The ban on fluorescent tubes has driven the sustainable development of the lighting industry, but the potential for increasing efficiency is far from exhausted. This is because energy consumption depends not only on the efficiency of the light source, but also on the actual burning time. For example, if you reduce the burning time by 70 % per day, you save just as much energy.
In the European Union, more and more companies are having to switch to energy-efficient lighting systems in order to meet the requirements for reducing COâ‚‚ emissions. In Switzerland, SIA standard 387/4, which sets out requirements for the energy-efficient planning and operation of lighting systems in buildings, has been in force since the beginning of 2024. These regulations promote the spread of intelligent lighting systems that rely on sensors and networked technologies.
According to Energylight, the combination of LED technology with motion sensors, daylight control and networking is the optimal solution for achieving savings of 90-95%. Connected lighting systems such as NOMUS enable pleasant lighting conditions despite high savings.
Best practice: Successful applications of intelligent lighting.
From theory to practice – the following examples illustrate how intelligent lighting solutions contribute to the sustainability strategy of building owners:
Use of daylight sensors at the ZHil Manegg development.
Sustainability is the focus of the new Manegg development. The owner, Mobimo, therefore opted for the intelligent ‘NOMUS’ lighting system, in which each light source is equipped with motion and daylight sensors. These systems dim the light sources to achieve the desired lux level together with the daylight. Thanks to the combination of sensors and networking, the intelligent lighting system achieves energy savings of 60 % compared to other modern LED lighting systems.
From LED to sensor-controlled LEDs in the Stampfenbach parking.
Security was always a top priority in the Stampfenbach car park, which meant that the lighting was switched on around the clock. However, in view of rising energy prices, a more efficient solution was required. The intelligent ‘NOMUS’ lighting system continues to ensure safety by fully illuminating areas with people or vehicles, while dimming unused zones down to ambient light. Thanks to energy savings of 80%, the owner saves CHF 12,268 per year and reduces CO₂ emissions by 5,234 kg.
Luminaires with sensor technology upcycle at the VSE headquarters.
The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE) has increased the energy efficiency of its lighting systems by an impressive 78 % without employees noticing any change in the quality of light. Integrated motion and daylight sensors ensure that the light adapts dynamically to the presence of people and creates a pleasant ambience. Particularly noteworthy is the environmentally friendly upgrade of the original luminaires in the break zone with the NOMUS Sensor Node, which significantly reduces energy consumption and extends the service life of the lighting.
A look into the future: lighting as a data collector.
The future of lighting goes beyond simply saving energy. In future, intelligent lighting systems will not only collect and analyse data in order to further optimise building efficiency, but will also be able to take on crucial functions for facility management. Thanks to networking via the Internet of Things (IoT), these systems will be able to monitor and adjust energy consumption in real time.
One example of innovative solutions are the new sensor-controlled light sources that not only provide light, but also collect valuable data on usage and movement in the building. For example, cleaning staff can be better planned based on the recorded movements of people. The sensor technology in combination with artificial intelligence enables comprehensive control that goes far beyond simple light regulation and automatically adjusts the light to actual requirements. By integrating several sensors per light source, energy savings of 90% on average are possible – without any complex installations.
The modern technology makes it possible not only to use this collected sensor data, but also to visualise it in a user-friendly dashboard. This allows building managers to react to changes in real time and optimise operating processes in the long term.
For more in-depth insights into the role of lighting as a data collector in building technology, please refer to the blog: Data thanks to light sources – How buildings are becoming smart buildings.
The future lies in sensor technology, networking and data.
In summary, it can be said that developments in lighting technology are primarily focussing on sustainability and energy efficiency. From the further development of LED technology to the use of daylight sensors and intelligent, networked lighting systems – the trends are aimed at reducing energy consumption and increasing comfort at the same time.
Would you also like to benefit from the advantages of intelligent lighting? If so, we would be happy to help you convert to an efficient lighting system. Book a 15-minute discovery call and find out how much energy-saving potential there is in your building.
