SURVEYING THE SECTOR
The drive for net zero is also becoming increasingly prevalent in both building regulations and government-led initiatives .
centres and networks must cut carbon emissions in half by 2030 . A difficult task , particularly when you consider the IEA also predicts electricity consumption to rise by 30 % in data centres by 2026 , due to on-going growth and expansion .
With stark figures such as these , the onus is on data centres to monitor and analyse their energy use , finding areas where savings can be made so that they can deliver their services as proficiently as possible . Data centre infrastructure management ( DCIM ) has become a powerful tool in helping organisations to do this ; providing operators with a universal set of metrics to monitor and optimise infrastructure whilst also positively impacting the bottom line .
However , despite the advanced DCIM technology utilised within data centre operations , lighting is often overlooked . Senseless when you consider that lighting accounts for at least 5 % of all energy use in a data centre and represents an area where substantial savings can be made . Luminaires are a key asset in a building and building managers should ensure they are investing in efficient , long-lasting lighting solutions that not only lower energy consumption but also support broader sustainability targets .
Smart lighting systems are an ideal option for data centres . Offering more efficiency , better control and helping to lower operational costs , they have the potential to cut the amount of energy used to light buildings by up to two-thirds . Using wireless technology and protocols such as Wi-Fi , Bluetooth and Zigbee , smart lighting works by seamlessly connecting luminaires , enabling a network of lamps to be created that can be controlled and automated from one central point .
The options and benefits this offers are endless . Every single detail of the lighting system can then be programmed to meet specific requirements , changing as required at different times of the day or according to the use of the space . Factors such as colour , brightness , intensity and the combinations of lamps in use can all be automated and controlled to the most minute detail , meaning that energy use is controlled to this exact level too .
Smart lighting systems are particularly useful in areas that people do not enter regularly , ensuring that lighting will not be left on unnecessarily and eliminating waste .
Whilst implementing smart lighting systems is vital for optimising lighting efficiency , effective monitoring is also required to enable managers to take energy optimisation to the next level . A brand-new innovation that can facilitate this is light monitoring dashboards . A tool that can report real-time data from luminaires , enabling lighting environments to be monitored , managed and optimised like never before .
Light monitoring dashboards collect information from smart fittings across the entire installation network , displaying data in a user-friendly interface that offers full visibility of the lighting infrastructure at a glance .
The benefits of this insight are vast . Operators can quickly identify inefficiencies or waste , such as lights operating unnecessarily or outside of programmed parameters . Dashboards can also streamline maintenance by predicting potential issues before they arise , reducing the need for manual inspections and reactive repairs . This in turn can support carbon reduction efforts , minimising the need for maintenance teams to drive around sites and manually check emergency and non-emergency luminaires .
Light monitoring dashboards also provide a convenient central hub from which all lighting data and reports can be accessed and stored . This greatly simplifies reporting procedures and means that the status of every lighting device can be viewed in one place . Providing instant compilation and access to information required for statutory reports , dashboards
Predictive maintenance reduces costs , automated reporting saves time and real-time monitoring supports better decision-making .
Kate Baker , Connected Lighting Manager at Ansell Lighting
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