Dynamic Daylight Metrics for Electricity Savings in Offices: Window Size and Climate Smart Lighting Management

Ignacio Acosta, Miguel Ángel Campano, Samuel Domínguez-Amarillo and Carmen Muñoz
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Ignacio Acosta: Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Miguel Ángel Campano: Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Samuel Domínguez-Amarillo: Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
Carmen Muñoz: Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas, Universidad de Málaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-27

Abstract: Daylight performance metrics provide a promising approach for the design and optimization of lighting strategies in buildings and their management. Smart controls for electric lighting can reduce power consumption and promote visual comfort using different control strategies, based on affordable technologies and low building impact. The aim of this research is to assess the energy efficiency of these smart controls by means of dynamic daylight performance metrics, to determine suitable solutions based on the geometry of the architecture and the weather conditions. The analysis considers different room dimensions, with variable window size and two mean surface reflectance values. DaySim 3.1 lighting software provides the simulations for the study, determining the necessary quantification of dynamic metrics to evaluate the usefulness of the proposed smart controls and their impact on energy efficiency. The validation of dynamic metrics is carried out by monitoring a mesh of illuminance-meters in test cells throughout one year. The results showed that, for most rooms more than 3.00 m deep, smart controls achieve worthwhile energy savings and a low payback period, regardless of weather conditions and for worst-case situations. It is also concluded that dimming systems provide a higher net present value and allow the use of smaller window size than other control solutions.

Keywords: daylight autonomy; window design; energy saving; smart control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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