Lighting Demonstration Showcase Effectiveness Study – Pacific Energy Center

During the summer of 2012, the Emerging Technologies program at PG&E collaborated with PG&E’s training center in San Francisco, the Pacific Energy Center (PEC), to update existing lighting installations– replacing what are now generally considered to be standard fixtures in terms of technology and energy efficiency, with newer, more advanced lighting and control technologies. The lighting classes offered at the PEC are directed at internal and external parties, including customers, contractors, designers, architects, installers, low income segment outreach specialists, and other trade allies. The wide array of fixtures installed in the main lighting classroom will enable a lighting class instructor to demonstrate and compare multiple types of light fixtures and technologies and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. As a rule, class participants at the PEC generally include more lighting designers and architects. Accordingly, at the PEC, in addition to being able to compare a wide range of pendant, troffer, and downlight lighting, the fixtures are networked and controllable by wireless, digital controls, which are of greater interest to the designer and architect communities. The combination of advanced controls and fixtures allows for dynamic lighting, which is the manipulation of color temperature and light intensity which can be used to imitate the rhythms of natural light that in turn enhance mood and sense of well-being. This report analyzes the surveys gathered after demonstrations to four different classes held at the PEC in September through October 2012.