Building Lighting Systems Research Articles

A Lighting Control System in Buildings based on Fuzzy Logic

Lighting generally consumed 25%-50% of total electricity consumption in a building. Nowadays, the building lighting source is dominated by the use of fluorescent lamps. The previous technical papers by other researchers had focused on power density control of incandescent lamps, which is now rarely used, unconsidered national standard as control reference value, and required a high-cost in investment. By these reasons, this paper proposes a building lighting system based on fuzzy logic scheme to automate fluorescent lamps in order to achieve illumination according to Indonesian National Standard (SNI). The input variables were indoor lighting, inference from outdoor lighting, and occupancy. The output variable was the required illumination to achieve the standard. The required illumination determined the number of lamps that had to be turned on. In the experiment result, a classroom illumination of lighting without controller in workdays was about 350 lux, while with the proposed controller it varied between 250–300 lux close to the SNI, i.e. 250 lux. Meanwhile, with the proposed controller the electricity consumption for a classroom was 75% lower than the lighting without controller.

A Lighting Control System in Buildings based on Fuzzy Logic

Lighting generally consumed 25%-50% of total electricity consumption in a building. Nowadays, the building lighting source is dominated by the use of fluorescent lamps. The previous technical papers by other researchers had focused on power density control of incandescent lamps, which is now rarely used, unconsidered national standard as control reference value, and required a high-cost in investment. By these reasons, this paper proposes a building lighting system based on fuzzy logic scheme to automate fluorescent lamps in order to achieve illumination according to Indonesian National Standard (SNI). The input variables were indoor lighting, inference from outdoor lighting, and occupancy. The output variable was the required illumination to achieve the standard. The required illumination determined the number of lamps that had to be turned on. In the experiment result, a classroom illumination of lighting without controller in workdays was about 350 lux, while with the proposed controller it varied between 250‐300 lux close to the SNI, i.e. 250 lux. Meanwhile, with the proposed controller the electricity consumption for a classroom was 75% lower than the lighting without controller.

Visualisation of impact of time on the internal lighting of a building

With the increasing realisation of the importance of information and elicitation of knowledge, the need for improved methods of extraction and abstraction of information and knowledge has gained equal attention. To this end, visualisation methods have been viewed an effective way of abstracting information. Over the past three decades, these methods have undergone a rapid revolutionary progress, supported by sophisticated visualisation tools, analytical and simulation methodologies and techniques. During this period, the visualisation of an object, such as a building, 'in time' – viewing it from different perspectives – has gained significant attention and developments have been underpinned by sophisticated software technology. However, visualisation of a building 'through time' – viewing it as it degrades through aging – has received limited attention. Indeed, the ability to visualise the behaviour of a building, through time, has the potential to yield significant advantages: at the design phase, the informed choice of different building materials enables the architect to meet the client's technical, aesthetic and economical objectives. Extending the same capabilities to the maintenance phase can result in the development of just-in-time schedules which can prevent wastages without compromising the service to the users of the building. With advances in the BIM technology and the promised paradigm shift in the manner stakeholders collaborate and interact, the ability to simulate and visualise the time-based behaviour of building elements can assist decisions relating to both design and scheduling. In this paper, the overall model of the visual building design and maintenance is proposed and its practicality is demonstrated through its application to the building lighting system. The overall process is modelled and generalised and the lighting system is introduced as an example where the research work can be applied: the time-related behaviour of different light sources under the impact of intrinsic and environmental factors is modelled and expressed in a mathematical form which facilitates visualisation through the use of Visual User Interface.

Virtual Reality Technology Used in Civil Engineering Education~!2010-02-18~!2010-06-15~!2010-09-02~!

Where educational validity is concerned, a school of engineering can reasonably be expected to constantly update computational resources in frequent use in the professions. Virtual Reality (VR) technology could be applied as a complement to three-dimensional (3D) modelling, leading to better communication whether in vocational training, in education or in professional practice. Techniques of 3D modelling and VR were applied to the development of models related to the construction process. The 3D models created to support rehabilitation design emerge as an important tool for the monitoring of anomalies in structures and to assist decisions based on the visual analyses of alternative solutions. The VR model created to help the management of lighting systems in buildings allows the visual and interactive transmission of information related to the physical behaviour of the elements, defined as a function of the time variable. Didactic interactive models showing construction works were also developed. These applications allow the visual simulation of the physical progression of each type of work and also assist in the study of the necessary equipment needed and how it functions on site. The introduction of CAD and VR techniques in school is helpful to students in order to prepare them to consider these technologies as important supports, later in their professional practice

Smart operation of air-conditioning (A/C) and lighting systems for national load management

In the countries of Arabian Peninsula, demand for electric power, primarily controlled by the air-conditioning (A/C) and generally peaking at 15:00 h, is currently growing well over 5% annually. Adaptations of smart operation of A/C and lighting systems in government and institutional buildings that commonly function between 07:00 h and 14:00 h has been evaluated as a technique for national load management in this paper. Time-of-day control for lighting and A/C systems in line with the building occupancy and pre-closing treatment for the A/C system were implemented in a major government building in Kuwait. Reduction of well over 38% in the peak power demand of 5,250 kW was achieved after 14:00 h, the official closing hour for the building. Also, the pre-closing treatment effectively achieved a reduction of over 5% after 13:00 h. Implementation of these measures in many similar buildings in Kuwait can reduce the national peak power demand by 4%, thereby reducing the need of new power plants by nearly 400 MW; besides achieving considerable reduction in electricity consumption. More importantly, the major savings in electric power and energy can be realised without any expenditure or compromise in comfort quality.

Occupants' operation of lighting and shading systems in office buildings

In most buildings, people operate control devices such as windows, shades, luminaires, radiators and fans to bring about desirable indoor environmental conditions. These control actions have a significant impact on buildings' performance and sustainability (energy use, indoor climate). A better understanding of the logic and patterns of such control-oriented user behaviour can not only facilitate better predictions of buildings' performance, but also support the effective operation of buildings' service systems. This paper describes an extensive empirical study of control-oriented user behaviour (as related to systems for lighting and shading) in a number of office buildings in Austria. The results specifically shed light on the relationships between control actions and environmental conditions inside and outside buildings.

Energy modeling of two office buildings with data center for green building design

Energy simulation models are developed with EnergyPlus for two office buildings in a R&D center in Shanghai, China to evaluate the energy cost savings of green building design options compared with the baseline building. As a R&D center of an international IT corporation, there are data centers in the two buildings, which make them different from typical office buildings. The data centers house high energy consuming IT equipments and need 24 h air-conditioning every day all year round. In order to achieve energy cost savings, multiple energy efficiency strategies are employed for design proposed building, encompassing high performance building envelope, lighting system, and HVAC system. Through energy modeling, the design proposed options are compared to an ASHRAE 90.1-2004 compliant budget model to highlight energy cost savings versus “standard practice” and show the potential LEED™ Credit EA1—Optimize Energy Performance. Meanwhile, they are also compared to China Code model to figure out the energy cost savings versus the most popular practice conforming to China Public Building Energy Saving Design Standard. The whole building energy simulation results show that the yearly energy cost saving of the proposed design will be approximately 27% from China Code building and 21% from ASHRAE budget building, which can achieve 4 points for LEED credit due to energy performance optimization.

Acoustics curriculum for architectural engineers

As building design and technology increase in complexity, the need to consider acoustics in the design also increases. For decades, architects have relied on engineers for the design of structural, mechanical, electrical, and lighting systems of buildings, and are increasingly relying on engineers for the design of high‐efficiency building enclosures and natural lighting systems. At the same time, building systems have become increasingly integrated, and good design of the building systems requires a very interdisciplinary education. These needs have given rise to the formal discipline known as architectural engineering (AE). With education in architecture, structures, building systems, and construction management, the architectural engineer is uniquely qualified to begin a career as an acoustical consultant. There are now over a dozen ABET‐accredited AE programs throughout the country and most offer at least some education in architectural acoustics and noise control. In this talk, the requirements of an...

Techniques for managing planar daylight data

This paper describes fine-grained visualization techniques for reviewing time-dependent data common to building simulation. These techniques enable rapid inspection of trends and singularities in the data that are difficult to ascertain from conventional methods. In the case of daylight simulation, understanding when and where sunlight is available in a proposed design can lead to significant energy savings in the resulting electric lighting systems of buildings. This article presents an integrated framework of three main visualization routines for managing simulation data for exploratory data analysis.

Office worker response to an automated Venetian blind and electric lighting system: a pilot study

A prototype integrated, dynamic building envelope and lighting system designed to optimize daylight admission and solar heat gain rejection on a real-time basis in a commercial office building is evaluated. Office worker response to the system and occupant-based modifications to the control system are investigated to determine if the design and operation of the prototype system can be improved. Key findings from the study are: (1) the prototype integrated envelope and lighting system is ready for field testing, (2) most office workers ( N= 14) were satisfied with the system, and (3) there were few complaints. Additional studies are needed to explain how illuminance distribution, lighting quality, and room design can affect workplane illuminance preferences.

International Daylight Measurement Programme -- Singapore data III: Building energy savings through daylighting

Average-year data from measurements of daylight and solar radiation at a measuring station in Singapore are used to assess the potential for energy saving through the integration of daylight in the lighting systems of Singapore office buildings.

Adoption of optical fibres or of optical light films in architecture

The paper aims to discuss the speedy spread of the use of optical fibres or optical light films lighting systems, as an alternative to classical lighting systems in buildings. A series of architectural projects has been selected to provide more evidence about advantages of these new lighting equipement, in terms of thermal and lighting comfort together with low cost energy. As a matter of fact their efficiency has even lead some professionals to use them in some buildings after suppression of the initial lighting system. The fact that the optional fibres or optical light films are used in various spaces has enabled to hope for a development of their applications in interiors and especially public places, in hot contries where heat output from traditional lighting bulbs is more likely to provide discomfort and hence where requirement for air conditionning is unavoidably maximised.

Energy conservation and retrofitting potential in Hellenic hotels

Energy consumption data from 158 Hellenic hotels and estimated energy savings that result from the use of practical retrofitting techniques, materials and new energy efficient systems are presented. The data were collected during an extensive energy audit of buildings that was carried out in Hellas, within the frame of a National Energy Programme sponsored by the CEC VALOREN Programme, for energy conservation in buildings. During this short monitoring campaign and on-site visits of a trained panel of engineers to each building, all information related to the building's construction, heating, cooling and lighting systems, and all other mechanical and electrical systems, was collected. The main results and energy characteristics of cooling, heating and lighting on energy consumption and performance are discussed. The annual average total energy consumption in hotels is 273 kWh/m 2, one of the highest among all categories of buildings. Several scenarios for possible interventions to the building's outer envelope, heating, cooling and lighting systems are proposed and evaluated, in order to assess the effectiveness of various energy conservation techniques. Based on the results from several simulations, it is concluded that it is possible to reach an overall 20% energy conservation.

Barriers to the adoption of an energy efficient technology

Solid state electronic ballasts promise significant energy savings in the lighting systems of large buildings. However, organizational factors and standard operating procedures may inhibit the adoption of this technology in the large, bureaucratic public and private sector organizations which represent the major potential users of this technology.