Lighting systems to save energy

in educational classrooms
Luigi Martirano IEEE member
University of Rome Sapienza
DIAEE – Electrical Engineering Area
Rome, Italy
[email protected]

Abstract building by combining the electric lighting with daylighting

In educational buildings a significant component of the energy and real presence of personnel.
used is spent in illuminating the interior of the building. As the Several lighting control strategies are available to manage
energy costs rise, increasing effort has gone into minimizing the lighting energy use in buildings: scheduling, occupancy,
energy consumption of lighting installations. This effort could
daylighting and luminance control are the most significant.
follow three basic directions: new more efficient equipment
(lamps, control gear, etc.), utilization of improved lighting An appropriate electric lighting control concept for a
design practices (localised task lighting systems), improvements daylight-building consists of a group of components coherent
in lighting control systems to avoid energy waste for unoccupied and integrated in a certain sequence. The two main
and daylight hours. By controlling the lighting in such a way components are: the integrated lighting control zones and the
that the lighting level is always accurately matched to the actual control strategy for each zone. This paper concentrates on
need allows to save on the energy costs and to improve the identifying the integrated lighting control strategy in
human comfort and efficiency. Establishing an integrated educational classrooms, taking into consideration the
lighting control concept is a very important part of the lighting available daylight and the actual occupancy of persons in
design process. The paper describes two different smart control
each zone of the classroom.
systems designed according the same concept but with different
components, for the lighting systems in two classrooms at the The main strategies of the concepts are:
Engineering Faculty of the Universty of Rome Sapienza. The 1) to subdivide the classroom in different zones with different
installations are realized according to a research project about uses (i.e corridor zone, teacher zone and scholars zone) and
the assessment of the impact of lighting control systems in with different lux values (zoning strategy);
electrical energy consumption and energy commitments. The 2) to schedule the general ON/OFF switch by a remote
results are useful to compare the two different control controller (scheduling strategy);
approaches (switching and dimming) and the two different kind 3) to integrate the electric lights with available daylighting in
of actions (with or without luminaries upgrade) in order to the room (daylighting strategy);
analyze costs, energy consumption and comfort.
4) to switch OFF automatically the lights according the real
The two different control technologies are compared with
respect to a third classroom without smart control, used as occupancy of the different zones (occupancy strategy);
reference for evaluations. 5) to organize fixed scenarios activate d by manual push
buttons (i.e. teaching, projection, etc.)
Keywords – lighting systems; lighting controls; building The designer has to arrange the control groups in order to
automation; energy management satisfy the strategies above mentioned. In particular the lights
have to subdivided:
I. INTRODUCTION
a) in control groups GC according to the zones;
b) in regulation groups GR constituted by rows parallel
In educational buildings a significant component of the
respect the windows.
energy used is spent in illuminating the interior of the
The concept could be implemented in two different ways:
building. In recent years the European Union EU has actively
- by adopting normal ballasts and switching mode, useful in
promoted political campaigns toward energy efficiency [1].
cheap restoration cases;
An energetic management program could be follow three
- by adopting electronic control gear and dimming mode,
basic directions: new more efficient equipment (lamps,
useful for new installations or deep restorations.
control gear, etc.), utilization of improved lighting design
The author arranged the lighting control concept in two
practices (localised task lighting systems), improvements in
classrooms with same extension and same exposition but
lighting control systems to avoid energy waste for
adopting the two different ways mentioned in order to
unoccupied and daylight hours. Building Automation and
analyze the installation costs and the energetic impact. A
Control systems (BACS) allow pursuit of intelligent energy
third classroom is used as benchmark value. The system is
management; they provide complex and integrated energy
completed by electrical energy meters and supervisory
saving functions based on the actual use of a building,
system to monitor the hours of utilization of classrooms, the
depending on the user’s real needs to avoid unnecessary
electricity consumed by the lights and the related energy
energy use. The key to design an integrated lighting system is
savings achieved. The project could be offer helps to
the electric lighting control strategy. An appropriate light
organize reference guides for future installations and actions
control system improves the operating efficiency of a
in educational buildings in order to save energy.

978-1-4244-8782-0/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE

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 II. CLASSROOMS III. LIGHTING CONTROL CONCEPT

The two classrooms used for the installations are the number Principle of operation of the control system of a single
7 and the number 8 of the first floor of the Enginnering classroom: the strategies
Faculty of the University of Rome. The light control of a single classroom will be built to meet
the following operating strategies: scheduling, daylighting,
occupancy, luminance control, zoning.
Centralized switching scheduling
The classroom lighting system will be switched on off in a
general way through a command available to the staff of the
faculty. This command will be made with key-operated
switch inside the classroom and the remote generally guard
the entrance.
Automatic mode (daylighting, occupancy, luminance control,
zoning)
When turned on the lights will be in automatic mode, the
system will operate with input signals from sensors placed in
the field of light and presence.
Lights will be:
- Turned on (occupancy strategy) according to the actual
occupancy in the classroom. The room is divided in three
different zones (zoning strategy) with three different
design luminance level (figure 2). Zone 1 “student zone”
is served by three control groups: GC1.1, GC1.2, GC1.3;
Figure 1. Classroom 7 and 8 dimensions. zone 2 “teaching zone” by one control group GC2; zone 3
“corridor zone” by one control group GC3.
Classroom number 7 window window door

The classroom 7 is a squared room of 9,80 x 10,80 m with

two large windows and one external door.
For this room the 12 luminaries ceiling 4x18W are to be GC1.1 GC1.2 GC1.3
upgraded by the replacement of the electric auxiliaries with GC2
high efficiency and dimmable electronic ballasts with DALI
protocol. Dimming control will be used to maintain the ZONE 2 ZONE 1
optimal luminance level. The BUS of the control system will
be implemented with standard Konnex technology by using
input equipment for sensors. Lluminance and occupancy
sensors will be used.
GC3 ZONE 3
Classroom number 8
The classroom 8 is a rectangular room of 9,80 x 12,80 m with
two large windows and one external door. Fig. 2. Classroom 8: control Groups GC according to the occupancy
For this room the existing 15 luminaries ceiling 4x18W are of the single zones. GC1.1, GC1.2, GC1.3 are for zone 1; GC2 is for
not to be upgraded. Switching control will be used to zone 2; GC3 is for zone 3.
maintain the optimal luminance level, by organizing the
luminaries in several switch-groups. The installation will - Adjusted in flux emitted according to the natural available
consist in the implementation of the control system with lighting in the classroom (daylighting strategy). At this
standard technology BUS Konnex. Luminance and aim the luminaries will be divided in 8 regulation groups
occupancy sensors will be used. (GR1-GR8) organized for parallel rows respect the
Reference classroom number 4 windows. The adjustments' will be made automatically in
To analyze the different energy consumption of the 7 and 8 switching mode for the classroom number 8 and in
classrooms in comparison with a reference normal classroom, dimming mode for the classroom number 7. The average
it will be installed a meter system for a classroom with a maintained luminance values of reference for the
similar extension, exposure and use (room number 4). adjustment will be independent for the 3 zones of the
classroom: 300 lux for zone 1, 500 lux for zone 2 and 150
Tab I. Summary of actions to be taken lux for Zone 3.
Actions Classroom Classroom Classroom - Constantly adjusted only for the room number 7
4 7 8 (luminance control strategy) according to the average
Smart metering X X X maintained luminance values above mentioned.
Smart control X X
Luminarie upgrade X

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 window window door

The automatic, manual and scenario modes could be enabled

GR1
GR2
GR1
GR2
GR1
GR2
by the general supervisory system located in the security
GR3
GR4 entrance box.
GR3 GR3 GR3

GR5
GR4 GR4 GR4
IV. LIGHTING CONTROL ARCHITECTURE
GR6
GR5
GR6
GR5
GR6
GR5
GR6 The control is organized according to the HBES standards
GR7
(EN 50110) adopting a KNX system. HBES systems are with
GR8
GR7 GR7 GR7 "distributed intelligence" as each device is properly
GR8 GR8 GR8
programmed, it has an "address" unique in the whole system
needed to be recognized as the recipient of the message,
scheduled to make an accurate function, according to a
Fig. 3. Classroom 8: Regulation Groups GR by switching according expected mode, with another component of the system
to the daylight available established by the program.
The system is programmable by a PC software system (ETS
Scenario mode mode). The operation of the system is independent of the
The smart control will offer several scenarios activated by presence of a PC or a supervisory system and therefore it
touch screen or manual pushbuttons, for example in case of ensures high reliability. In fact, each component of the
slides projection. The scenarios could be programmed during system has electronic elements in which contains all
the startup up process. information relevant to the very functioning of the device. In
this way it is not necessary to have a central (industrial PLC)
SUPERVISORY to coordinate communication between devices and for
SYSTEM
managing the entire operation of the system. The lack of a
enable enable
disable disable central element is an undoubted advantage for the continuity
of service; any failure on a device only creates the
daylight
sensor AUTOMATIC MANUAL inefficiency of the device in question, while the rest of the
occupancy
MODE MODE
plant continues to operate normally.
sensor
The system thus created is expected to support the system for
n group controls
manual control by local control (generic buttons) or remote
controls (buttons or touch screen) and a manual or automatic
Luminaires programmed scenarios described above.
The system will consist of:

+ - power supply KNX system and other KNX devices;

- input devices as interfaces of sensors and KNX system and
output device (actuators) to switch the luminaries;
Supervisory

Automatic Scenario Manual

level

Mode Mode Mode

- occupancy sensors and daylighting sensors interfaced with
Daylight
the KNX system using the input devices.
sensor The line between KNX devices is provided by a simple
Automatic
level

Presence
twisted pair cable.
sensor

Scenario Scenario
Classroom number 8 – SWITCHING MODE
OFF In the classroom number 8 the total flux emitted by the
system is regulated by switching the single ballasts (ECG1
Manual

Manual
level

Manual
OFF
and ECG2) of each luminaries (switching mode) in order to
guarantee 3 different values of light: 0%, 50%, 100% (fig.4).
The control system consists in:
- 2 lux sensors
Actuator

Actuator
level

switch
or dimmer - 1 KNX input device for the lux sensors
- 5 presence sensors (double technology infrared and
- microwave with special detector area;
- 1 KNX input device for the presence sensors
Fig.4 Schemes of the lighting control concept. - 4 KNX actuators with 8 channels for the lamps control

Manual mode (override)

ECG1 Light value ECG1 ECG2
The system is completed by pushbuttons to manage manually 0% 0 0
the lighting system. It is possible: 50% 1 0
- To force on or off (override) the status of single lighting ECG2 100% 1 1
groups.
- To manage directly the system in manual mode Fig. 5 Scheme of the switching mode for a 4 lamps- 2 ECGs
excluding the automatic mode. luminaire

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 window window door - 4 presence sensors (double technology infrared and
L BUS line microwave with special detector area;
sensors line
power line
- 1 KNX input device for the presence sensors
- 1 KNX actuator/DALI interface for the lamps control
L daylight sensor

2
Occupancy sensor,
the number indicates the zone Smart metering and supvervisory system
Actuator with 8 channels
The scheme is completet by a smart metering system for each
A8c
classroom and a general supervisory system that uses
WinswitchTM software.
A8c Actuator with 6 channels

DI Input device
All the metering, command, regulation, occupancy,
AL Bus supply
A6c 2 luminance, daylight signals will be stored and managed by
3
1.1

A8c DI DI
1.2

A6c
1.3

A6c AL
the supervisory system to realize a database useful for the
energy management office of the university.
Fig. 6 Classroom 8: architecture of the control system
By the supervisory system it will be possible also control the
switvching and the regulations.
window window window For each room it will be possible to show in real time:
- The real presence of activity;
1-1.1 1-1.2 1-1.3 - The real energy consumed by the lightings
3-2 2-1.1 2-1.2 2-1.3 The supervisory system data wil be collected in a web page.
4-2

3-1.1 3-1.2 3-1.3 V. ENERGETIC IMPACT

4-1.1 4-1.2 4-1.3
5-2
6-2 To estimate the actual energy efficiency of lighting control
5-1.1
6-1.1
5-1.2
6-1.2
5-1.3
6-1.3
systems is an important goal since an accurate evaluation
could help and guide designers towards the most appropriate
7-2
8-2 choice among a great number of available solutions. In
7-3 7-3 7-3
8-3 8-3 8-3 particular the control strategies can be based on daylight
availability, on room occupancy or on pre-defined scenes and
the type of control can be automatic, manual or both using
different management criteria.
The EN 15193-1 [3] provides the Lighting Energy Numeric
Fig. 7 The control systems of the classroom number 8. There are 15
Indicator LENI used for certification purposes and very
individual channels used. Each channel is represented by the symbol
X-Y(.Z) where X is the regulation group RG according to the useful in designing the light control system:
natural light; Y is the zone 1, 2 or 3 and Z is the subzone of zone 1.
LENI = W/A [kWh/(m2 × year)]
Classroom number 7 – DIMMING MODE where
In the classroom number 7 the flux regulation will be done by A is the considered useful area [m2]
dimming mode of each couples of lamps of the luminaries. In W is the total annual energy used for lighting, equal to
this case it is necessary to substitute the magnetic ballasts W = WL + WP [kWh/year]
with new electronic control gear adopting DALI protocol as sum of the WL estimated annual lighting energy and WP
(digital addressable lighting interface). this kind of ballast parasitic energy (emergency and standby controls). The light
offers a complete 0-100% regulation for each luminarie. control systems consume some energy also in the standby
mode so that a night-time switching is recommended.
door window window The author evaluated the energetic impact of the control
BUS line system by adopting the LENI methodology.
A A A
sensors line
power line
Calculation of WL depends on the installed lighting power
corrected by 3 derating factors: - FD “daylight dependency
daylight sensor
L
factor”, - FC ”constant illuminance factor”, - FO “occupancy
A A A Occupancy sensor,
2
the number indicates the zone dependency factor”.
L L
An estimate of the lighting energy (WL) required to fulfill the
Dimmerable ECG (DALI)
A A A A
illumination function and purpose in the building shall be
DI Input device established using the following equation [kWh/year]
A A A AL Bus supply

Pn FC (t D FO FD + t N FO )
WL = ∑
1.1 1.2 1.3
3
DI DI AD

to the classroom #8
BUS supply
1000
Fig. 8 Classroom 7: architecture of the control system
where:
The control system of classroom 7 consists in: - Pn is the total installed lighting power in considered area A
- 2 lux sensors [W],
- 1 KNX input device for the lux sensors - tD “daylight time usage” are the operating hours during the
daylight time, [h]

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- tN ”non-daylight time usage” are the operating hours during action in energy reduction like improvements in lighting
the non-daylight time, [h]. control systems to avoid energy waste for unoccupied and
The standard EN 15193-1 [3] offers information, methods daylight hours. In the case study, energy savings due to the
and reference values. A previous paper shows the action in power reduction could be assumed about the 20%,
methodology application [5]. savings due to the action in controls about 35-42% according
The author suggest to introduce an utilization factor F to to the control mode if by switching or dimming, and total
simplify the LENI approach equal to: savings obtainable by adopting both actions together about
54% .
F = F0 • FC • [ p • ( τ • FD + 1 – τ ) + 1 – p]

where: References:
p = PD / PN [p.u.] [1] European Council, Directive 2002/91/EC of the European
PD = is the installed lighting power in the daylight zone [W] parliament and of the council of 16 December 2002 on the energy
τ = tD /t [p.u.] performance of buildings, Official Journal of the European
Communities. 2002.
t= tD + tN [hours] [2] CEN/BT WG 173 EPBD n° 36 Version V5 – Explanation of the
general relationship between various CEN standards and the Energy
LENI is equal to: Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (''Umbrella document'')
December 2005.
LENI = (PN • t0 • F ) / (1000 • A) [kWh/ (m2 x year) ] [3] EN15193_1 “Energy performance of buildings – Energy
requirements for lighting - part 1: Lighting energy estimation”,
Table II shows the LENI evaluated for classrooms 7 and 8 March 2005.
according to the standard UNI15193, before and after the [4] EN 12464-1 “Light and lighting - Lighting of work places - Part
actions proposed. 1: Indoor work places” Standard 2002
[5] L. Martirano, G. Parise, Ecodesign of lighting systems, Industry
Applications Magazine, March-April 2011, pages 14-19.
Table II Energetic impact of actions in classroom 7 and 8
Luigi Martirano (StM’98-M02) received the M.S. and Ph.D.
Room 7 Room 8
degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Rome “La
Area [m2] 106 126 Sapienza”, Italy, in 1998 and 2002, respectively. He discussed a
Number of luminaries [#] 12 15 PhD thesis on “Electric Power Systems Circuit Protection”. In 2000,
Before actions

Power of each luminarie [W] 90 90 he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University
Power of the lighting system [W] 1080 1350 of Rome "La Sapienza" where he is currently an Assistant Professor.
Annual operating time [h] 2000 2000 He is the author or coauthor of more than 40 technical published
Utilization factor [p.u.] 1 1 papers and a co inventor of one international patent. His research
LENI [kWh/m2/y] 20,4 21,4 activities cover power systems design, planning, safety, home and
Power of each luminarie [W] 72 90 building automation, protection and coordination, lighting systems.
After action

He is a member of the IEEE Industry Applications Society, of the

on power

Power of the lighting system [W] 864 1350

LENI [kWh/m2/y] 16,3 21,4 AEIT (Italian Association of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
and of the CEI (Italian Electrical Commission) Technical
[kWh/m2/y] 4,1 0,0
Savings total Committees CT205 and SC311B. He has been Registered
[%] 20% 0%
Professional Engineer.
After After action

Utilization factor [p.u.] 0,6 0,65

actions on control

LENI [kWh/m2/y] 11,8 13,9

[kWh/m2/y] 8,5 7,5
Savings total
[%] 42% 35%
LENI [kWh/m2/y] 9,5 13,9
[kWh/m2/y] 10,9 7,5
Savings total
[%] 54% 35%

The parasistic energy consumption WP could be stimated by

adding 1 kWh/m2/year for emergency lighting and about 2-5
kWh/m2/year for the automatic lighting controls.

VI. CONCLUSIONS

Intelligent management of energy efficiency, optimizing of

costs and quality, requires imagination that can reveal
opportunities, expose risks and support strategic decision
making. In the energy management of buildings like
educational ones, an effective program could be follow three
basic directions: actions on efficient equipment, actions on
lighting design practices, actions in lighting control systems.
The paper considered possible actions in power reduction like
new more efficient equipment (lamps, control gear, etc.) and

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