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Zhaga has recently announced the release of two standards: Book 21 (New):   Zhaga’s new Book 21 defines a standardized interface for linear socketable LED modules used in SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) luminaires, aiming to future‑proof product design and support circular economy goals. The specification covers electro‑mechanical, mechanical, electrical, thermal and photometrical interfaces so [...]

  One of the more serious problems in the residential and light commercial lighting industries is frequent incompatibility between LED lighting and dimmers. One company has a new solution specifically for low-voltage, 24VDC lighting (typically linear). NSL introduced Dim Drive, an all‑in‑one low‑voltage LED lighting solution that integrates a 24VDC constant‑voltage LED driver and a full‑range [...]

  Bluetooth Networked Lighting Control (NLC) has become the leading wireless standard for commercial and industrial lighting control, and the new Bluetooth HVAC Integration NLC Profile extends this platform to HVAC, enabling more responsive, energy-efficient building systems. Leveraging existing dense grids of Bluetooth occupancy sensors for both lighting and HVAC can unlock significant incremental savings [...]

By Brent Protzman, Ph.D., Director of Product Management at Lutron Electronics Design professionals in the commercial building landscape are fundamentally shifting their approach to occupant comfort and energy efficiency. While architects and designers have long recognized the importance of daylight control, their toolkit could only do so much. Now, the intelligent, automated shading systems that [...]

  By Valeria Palacios Klein CLD, Senior Lighting Designer at Coastal Source When people hear the phrase colored lighting in outdoor spaces, it’s likely they immediately think of bold, oversaturated hues that feel more theatrical, even gauche, than refined. But color-tunable lighting (often referred to in the industry as RGBW) has evolved dramatically. Today’s advanced [...]

By Dan Hollenkamp, COO at Toggled Dan Hollenkamp, COO of Toggled, shared the following seven trends that he believes will redefine buildings and energy management in 2026: 1) Smart Buildings Become True Energy Orchestrators: By 2026, smart buildings will function more like managed micro-grids as operators face rising energy demand, electrification pressures, and aging infrastructure. Even [...]

  JLL’s 2025 Global Real Estate Technology Survey reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in buildings has surged remarkably, with 92% of corporate real estate occupiers now piloting AI solutions—a rapid jump from less than 5% just three years ago. However, only 5% of organizations report achieving most or all of their expected results from [...]

  The 2025 Smart Home Technology Trends Survey, conducted by Harbor Research for the Association for Smarter Homes & Buildings (ASHB), details escalating adoption, evolving consumer attitudes, and emerging opportunities in the smart home sector across the U.S. and Canada. Drawing insights from 611 respondents, the report highlights a rise in smart home adoption—from 49% [...]

  By Brent Protzman, Director of Product Management at Lutron Electronics The way we design and use commercial real estate has undergone a fundamental shift. Spaces that were once almost exclusively cubicles and private offices must now adapt to hybrid work models, evolving technology, sustainability mandates, and heightened occupant expectations. Looking forward, the buildings that [...]