DOE Publishes Research On Connected Lighting Systems Challenges & Opportunities

In September 2021, the US Department of Energy (DOE) published a research study about how users and stakeholders engage with connected lighting systems (CLS) and make decisions during each step in the supply chain process, from production to operation, in commercial buildings in the United States. CLS have seen slower than expected adoption and have faced many operational and installation challenges since they were first introduced in the market.

The goal of this study was to provide an overview of:

• The decision-making process for CLS and how/why technologies and features are selected;
• The user experience in each step of the supply chain and the challenges faced;
• Barriers to adoption for CLS and opportunities to address these barriers; and
• Potential opportunities to improve the design of CLS to increase adoption and enhance usage.

Though important and influential to the CLS market, utility incentives, regulations, energy codes, and policy impacts were not a focus of the study.

The key challenges identified for CLS are:

• Complexity and Variability
• Experience and Relationship-Based Market
• Contractor Apprehension and Reluctance
• Consumer Lack of Perceived Value
• Embedded Sensors & Controls
• Cost Transparency
• Interoperability

Potential opportunities identified to address these challenges are:

• Workforce Development
• Technical Research and Development
• Data Collection / Field Validation
• Market
• Education
• Stakeholder Engagement

Detailed research findings are available here.

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and Senior Business Development Consultant at Capacity Consulting, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has been co-chair of the ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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