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LightFair International 2022 - A Recap

With LightFair 2022 now behind us, we want to reflect on how amazing it was to participate again this year.

Exhibitions have always been about bringing sellers and buyers together. After a period apart, participants, including GRE Alpha, were able to collaborate and share new products and ideas.

Here’s a short recap to get everyone excited about the months ahead—and looking forward to LightFair 2023.

Networking at LightFair

LightFair International is one of the best places for meeting and networking with thought and industry leaders in the LED lighting space. The focus this year was on lighting fixtures, control products, LEDs, architectural lighting, landscape lighting, and much more.

On the event floor, we had many discussions driven by the various dimming and LED driver products we offer, from BLE to 0-10V to phase dimming.

The GRE Alpha Booth

At the GRE Alpha booth, we saw rising interest across several of our products—live demonstrations were a favorite among industry visitors. We had the chance to highlight our app-controlled, multi-color FlexLight production sample during demos, as well as our wide variety of dimming modules. There was keen interest in our highly adaptable wireless models, as well as a continued focus on innovations contributing to energy conservation.

New products for this year’s LightFair included our 5-channel RGB + tunable white module and our multi-function module controlled by Casambi BLE and Tuya BLE. This innovation was made possible by our cutting-edge partnership with Casambi in 2020. Lighting professionals also put our most popular models, such as the SLD-DIM1B and the SLD-DIMTW, through their paces.

Compared to past shows, we saw some increased interest in various outdoor models (such as the XLD75 and the XLD200) when paired with our dimming modules.

You can find all of GRE Alpha’s dimming modules here.

Looking Forward to Next Year—and Beyond

GRE Alpha is happy to announce that we will be attending LightFair again in New York City in May of 2023. For now, you can browse our selection of dimming modules and other LED lighting technology that we highlighted at this year’s event!

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GRE Alpha 2022⁠–2⁠023 Catalog Announcement 

It’s that time of the year—The GRE Alpha 2022⁠–2023 Product Catalog has arrived! 

We're excited to continue providing new products and innovative technologies that support our clients in the ever-changing field of LED lighting. 

Here are some of our featured products for 2022: 

• Model SLD-DIM–CB2-UL: This is a 2-channel, multi-function Casambi BLE-based dimming module, which can be set for tunable white, dim-to-warm, and 100% dimming via the Casambi app. 
   
• Model SLD-DIM-CB5: This is a 5-channel, RGBWW Casambi BLE dimming module for use in RGB and tunable white strip lighting applications. 
   
• Model SLD-DIM-WF2-TW: This is a 2-channel, multi-function Tuya Wifi/BLE-based dimming module that enables easy IoT integration. This model is easily controlled by smart lighting/IoT technologies, such as Amazon Echo. 

Specifiers and designers were able to examine these products firsthand at GRE Alpha’s booth during LightFair 2022.  

The catalog also includes some of the products that we’re known for, including the Plug and Play XLD75, our constant voltage LED drivers, LED dimming modules, and more.  

Learn more about our innovative products in the 2022-2023 GRE Alpha product catalogs.  

How DALI Is Advancing Street Lighting Solutions & Smart Cities 

Lighting technology continues to accelerate at an unparalleled rate. The ability to monitor luminaires, track their status, and control nearly every aspect of their functionality opens the doors to limitless possibilities. 

DALI is at the forefront of this movement. 

DALI provides operators with more control over lighting fixtures than ever before—especially when it comes to streetlight LED drivers. 

Let’s dive into what DALI is and how DALI is used in street lighting and smart city applications.  

What is DALI? 

DALI is short for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface—it’s a standard communication protocol that powers lighting equipment and gives far more control to the lighting operator. It’s a system that provides a means for a two-way connection: 

• Operators can precisely control nearly every aspect of the lighting fixtures 

• The fixtures themselves can provide several key operational status markers, such as light level, lamp life, failures, and more 

DALI was introduced to the world in the 1990s, with its successor, DALI 2, launching in 2014. As DALI continues to evolve, the potential for new applications and uses moves forward as well.  

The biggest requirement for effectively using DALI in a larger system is the implementation of well-trained personnel and software tools. In most cases, the system is easy to install.  

Real-World DALI Applications 

As we mentioned, technological advancements with DALI have enabled operators to unlock potential uses that leave a lasting impact.  

This is especially true when it comes to street lighting. Classic street lights have become the target for operators to become a part of digital infrastructure. DALI’s light monitoring capabilities open the doors to huge energy savings with outdoor light fixtures, such as street lights.  

Take this overpass in X’ian, which is a large city and the capital of the Shaanxi province in China, for example. An entire DALI-controlled lighting system was installed on the fences and the undersides of the bridges, which includes nearly 10,000 LED drivers and supporting components. The installation was made to help create a more welcoming space in the areas underneath the overpass.  

However, without the high level of control provided by DALI, this project would never have come to fruition. DALI not only allows the operators to shut off and turn on the lights digitally but also gives operators full control over the brightness and color of the lights. This is crucial for changing the lights depending on the flow of traffic, or even to provide welcoming light colors in response to certain holidays.  

DALI has also helped make sizable strides towards the creation of “smart cities”.  

The ability to control street lights at will is only one part of the idea behind smart cities. Experts are already trying to push the boundaries of the DALI system with the capability to monitor other pertinent information, such as weather conditions, cameras, security usage, digital signage, and more.  

DALI’s light monitoring capabilities provide nearly endless possibilities for the advancement of these smart cities. Operators have a system that is simple to wire and set up, yet highly functional.  

GRE Alpha’s Impact on the Advancement of DALI 

GRE Alpha is an expert in creating DALI LED drivers that are rugged enough to support harsh outdoor applications. Our drivers are ideal for outdoor environments supporting ambient temperatures of -20°C to 50°C (full load) and humidity levels ranging from 5%-95%. 

In addition to the manufacturing of these quality LED drivers, our affiliated firm, GRE Manufacturing, has been an accredited DALI testing facility since 2018.  

GRE Alpha is proud of the current state of our partnership with DALI while also looking forward to future advancements. The opportunity to continue moving forward with DALI technology excites us and keeps us motivated to stay up to date with the latest DALI information.  

For more examples of street lighting and signage, check out our product showcase. Or, if you’re looking for street lighting solutions, you can find them on our specialty solutions page.  

The Importance of Horticultural LEDs (And GRE Alpha’s Impact On The Industry) 

Progression in LED technology continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible. 

One of the biggest benefits of these advances is the effect of LED lighting on the horticulture industry. With horticultural LEDs, indoor gardening is not only a possibility—it’s a highly efficient method for growing plants. 

Let’s look at the importance of horticultural LED lighting and how GRE Alpha is helping to advance the industry.  

The Importance of Horticultural LEDs and Grow Lights 

Growing plants effectively requires a combination of several factors, including nutrients, air, water, and the proper temperature. Achieving this ideal situation can be difficult, especially when the natural lighting conditions are less-than-stellar. 

This is where horticultural LED lighting really makes a difference.  

LED lighting provides significant advantages over traditional, existing horticultural lighting. For starters, LED lighting provides the best possible energy efficiency in a horticultural environment. LEDs tend to last longer and consume less power when compared to their older counterparts. With LEDs, the light’s spectral composition is completely controllable down to precise measurements which can influence plant growth. A wide spectral output provided by LED lighting makes it possible to effectively grow all sorts of different plants depending on their specific lighting requirements and conditions. In some cases, the presence of LED lighting can even improve the taste of certain plants.  

As LED technology advances, so do the benefits to horticulture. LEDs are becoming increasingly easy to integrate into digital and programmable systems, meaning that the current state of lighting can be monitored and altered accordingly.  

What Features To Look For in an LED Driver  

Powering horticultural LEDs is impossible without a quality LED driver.  

When searching for an LED driver, here are some potential features to look out for. 

Smart driver technology 

Some drivers on the market are known as “smart drivers” These LED drivers offer additional functionality achieved through a high-end processor. For example, a connected interface with the capability to communicate with the rest of the lighting system’s network.  

With a wireless or cable connection, the operator can control several aspects of the lighting function, such as brightness, on/off scheduling, temperature, electrical use, and more.  

Smart driver technology costs tend to be higher, meaning that they’re mostly found in commercial or industrial settings. However, the possibility for new developments in applications and interfaces make them an intriguing feature to monitor.  

Dimming technology 

Dimming is often a desired feature in horticultural environments.  

One common method of providing dimmable features to LED lighting is with DALI, or “Digital Addressable Lighting Interface”. DALI is a standard communication protocol that gives power to lighting equipment while also putting more control in the operator's hands. For example, a grower is able to make precise adjustments to light intensity using DALI technology.  

How GRE Alpha Impacts the Horticultural LED Industry 

LED drivers in a horticultural setting are exposed to many different elements that could cause malfunctions, such as humidity, moisture, and higher temperatures. There’s no avoiding these elements since they’re all associated with plant growth. 

This means that LED drivers not only have to be efficient, but also highly reliable and durable. 

We know that having the right lighting control system makes all the difference when it comes to effective plant growth. That’s why GRE Alpha provides a wide range of lighting control solutions suitable for a horticultural environment. Our LED powering solutions are robust and stand up to the elevated temperatures and other environmental conditions associated with plant growth.  

Want to Learn More About Horticultural LEDs? 

GRE Alpha is committed not only to providing high-quality and industry-leading LED technology, but also to keeping our audience up to date with the latest LED drive information. 

For more information on horticultural lighting solutions from GRE Alpha, visit our specialty solutions page. 

GRE Alpha is Excited to Exhibit at LightFair 2022

 GRE Alpha is excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at the 2022 LightFair International Trade Show from June 21st to the 23rd.

The trade show showcases the best in lighting design, technology, architecture, urban planning, and more. LightFair is one of the most important events for the LED lighting industry and is the place to learn about the latest technology and industry insights. It’s also a great opportunity for people to see GRE Alpha dimming modules firsthand. Attendees will be able to visit our skilled team for in-person product demonstrations at booth 2377 in the West Hall.

GRE Alpha is showcasing products featuring compatibility with some of our partners, such as Casambi, Tuya, and Enocean. While the trade shows were on hold, GRE continued to innovate with top-notch partners. For example, with Casambi, GRE launched the SLD-DIM-CB Dimming Module—a 240 watt single-channel output constant voltage LED dimming module that allows for seamless integration with Casambi-enabled luminaires, sensors, wall-mounted and wireless switches.

Here are some of the featured products for 2022:

• Model SLD-DIM–CB2-UL - This is a 2-channel, multi-function Casambi BLE-based dimming module which can be set for tunable white, dim to warm, and 100% dimming via the Casambi app
• Model SLD-DIM-CB5 - A 5-channel, RGBWW Casambi BLE dimming module for use in RGB and tunable white strip lighting applications
• Model SLD-DIM-WF2-TW - A 2-channel, multi-function Tuya Wifi/BLE-based dimming module that enables easy IoT integration and is easily controlled by smart lighting/IoT technologies, such as Amazon Echo

GRE Alpha is honored to be a repeat guest at the 2022 LightFair International Trade Show and we can’t wait to demonstrate our cutting-edge products.

For more information about the 2022 LightFair International Trade Show, check out this link.