Optimising buildings through data-driven lighting systems

In the quest to make buildings more energy-efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly, data has emerged as a powerful tool. Smart lighting systems, such as Organic Response , which leverage wireless technology and smart sensors, are at the forefront of this transformation.

By collecting and analysing data on everything from energy consumption to occupancy patterns, these systems have the potential to help building owners and landlords optimise building performance, reduce carbon footprints, and create better environments for occupants.

But how exactly does this data-driven approach work, and what are the key benefits?

The role of smart lighting systems in building automation

Smart lighting systems are more than just a network of lights - they are integral to the broader concept of building automation. At the application level, wireless lighting technology is particularly effective for both new developments and the retrofitting of existing buildings. This technology supports the decarbonisation of older building stock by enabling advanced lighting controls without the need for extensive rewiring or infrastructure changes.

Automating lighting to minimise waste

One of the most significant operational challenges in building management is ensuring that lights are not left on unnecessarily; wasted light is both unsustainable and costly.

The functionality of a traditional lighting control system is fixed during commissioning and often doesn’t deliver optimal energy efficiency or lighting conditions for users. A smart lighting system can dynamically adjust lighting based on real-time sensor data and system settings can be reconfigured manually or automatically to optimise performance continuously through its lifetime.

This approach ensures that lights are only used when needed, optimising energy consumption without compromising the quality of the lit environment. For instance, smart lighting systems can adapt to varying occupancy levels, while maintaining optimal lighting in spaces where people are present, balancing energy efficiency and user comfort.

Data: the key to optimisation

Nick Van Tromp, UK Controls Manager at Fagerhult, explains why data is at the heart of these advanced lighting systems: “Large amounts of information about energy consumption, light levels, and occupancy can be collected and stored in secure cloud portals. With access to this data, building managers can make informed decisions about how to optimise lighting across different spaces and data from multiple buildings can be compared for even greater insights.

“We have recently conducted a study looking at occupancy data and how making simple changes to things like sensor time-out periods and varying light levels with distance away from occupants can impact energy savings, without compromising user experience. The results showed that in high-traffic areas, such as corridors and open-plan offices, adjusting system light levels saw the best results, whereas adjusting time-out periods was more effective in spaces that were frequently unoccupied, such as meeting rooms.

“This kind of data-driven decision-making is transforming the lighting industry, enabling a shift from reactive to proactive building management.”

The evolution of data-driven decision-making in lighting

“The lighting industry has been increasingly focused on the potential of data to drive efficiencies and optimise building performance,” Nick continues, “and whilst the collection of data from various systems within a building is not new, the challenge has been in making this data actionable. Traditionally, building managers would have to manually analyse data to identify trends and make decisions, but with the sheer volume of data now available, this approach is becoming less feasible.

“As a result, there is a growing push towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into building systems. AI has the potential to automate the analysis of complex data sets, providing insights and even making real-time adjustments to optimise building performance. While the industry is still in the early stages of this transformation, the direction is clear - AI will play a crucial role in the future of smart building management.”

Overcoming challenges: data integration and standardisation

One of the main hurdles in realizing the full potential of data-driven building optimisation is the lack of standardisation. In many buildings, different systems operate in isolation, making it difficult to consolidate data into a common format for analysis. The absence of a universally accepted standard for data presentation in buildings has created a fragmented landscape.

However, efforts are underway to address this challenge. Nick explains: “Data ontologies such as RealEstateCore aim to standardise data collection and analysis across different systems. This type of initiative could pave the way for more integrated and efficient building management practices.”

Leveraging data for broader applications

Smart lighting systems also offer the potential to serve as the backbone for other building data and sensors. Since the lighting network spans the entire building, it can be used to collect additional data, such as CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity. This approach reduces the need for multiple networks and allows for a more streamlined and cost-effective way to monitor environmental conditions.

For example, by integrating environmental sensors with the lighting system, building managers can track air quality in real time. This information could be displayed on digital signage within the building, providing occupants with insights into the health of their environment, a feature that aligns with the growing trend of promoting well-being in the workplace.

The future of smart buildings

As more organisations recognise the value of data in optimising building performance, we can expect to see wider adoption of these technologies. With advancements in data analytics and AI, smart buildings can only be on an upward trajectory, offering both cost savings and enhanced user experiences.

“Data is the key to unlocking the full potential of smart lighting systems,” Nick concludes, “by harnessing the power of data, building managers can not only improve energy efficiency but also create more sustainable and responsive environments. As the technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for optimising building performance through data are virtually limitless.”

Find out more about how Organic Response could help optimise your building, or get in touch with our expert team for more information.