California Exterior Lighting Occupancy Survey Phase 2

Occupancy-controlled luminaires have proven to have significant energy-saving potential in exterior applications such as residences, parking garages, parking lots, and pedestrian walkways. Sites will be identified, equipment procured, and deploy monitoring equipment to gather data. To be able to predict with adequate levels of accuracy and precision and the level of savings to be expected. It is fundamental to determine typical occupancy patterns for a variety of exterior space types, since savings are highly dependent on occupancy rates, i.e. the percentage of time that a space is occupied.

Occupancy-based adaptive lighting is an evolving strategy that improves energy efficiency in both indoor and outdoor applications. This strategy is implemented through bi-level lighting control using dimmable or dual light sources and motion sensing technologies that reduce light levels during vacancy periods and provide full light output only during occupancy periods, substantially reducing energy consumption. For outdoor lighting this energy-savings strategy is most effective in spaces with intermittent occupancy patterns during evening and nighttime, and minimum light requirements for safety or other reasons, such as parking lots and garages, building perimeter and local auxiliary areas such as courtyards, and pedestrian pathways. As occupancy-based adaptive outdoor lighting is demonstrating promise for significant energy savings, utility companies are interested in supporting extensive implementation through rebate and incentive programs. As rebates and incentives are based on potential energy savings, utility partners initiated a research project focusing on quantifying occupancy patterns in different space types and locations to better understand energy savings potential