DOE Study Examines Connected Lighting’s Reporting Capabilities

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Program has been working closely with industry to identify and collaboratively address the technology development needs of connected lighting systems (CLS). The group recently published the first part of an ongoing study on lighting systems using low-voltage power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology and said such systems “can not only drastically improve the energy performance of lighting and other building systems, but also enable a wide array of services, benefits and revenue streams that would enhance the value of lighting systems.”

Advances in Ethernet cabling technology and standards, along with advances in luminous efficacy of LED lighting enables connected lighting systems that can report their own energy consumption, delivering increased energy savings over conventional lighting solutions by facilitating data-driven energy management. DOE’s study classifies PoE system devices in relationship to how they are used in systems — introducing new terminology as needed — then describes different PoE system architectures and discusses existing standards and specifications that address energy reporting, and existing test setups and methods for characterizing PoE system energy reporting performance.

Here's the study (PDF): PoE Lighting System Energy Reporting Study, Part 1