The benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) in LED lighting are well-documented regarding consumer usage.
But what about commercial and industrial use?
Over the past decade, the rise of smart lighting has allowed entire industries to revolutionize their usage of LED lighting, and it also doesn’t show any signs of stopping either. In fact, by 2026, the smart lighting market size is projected to reach a staggering total of 27.7 billion USD.
So, what makes smart lighting and the IoT such attractive options on the rise for commercial and industrial use?
There are several benefits to IoT and smart lighting usage for all kinds of industries. Some of which are less obvious than others.
Let’s dive into some of those.
IoT technology allows for easy and fast monitoring of power and energy consumption.
We’re already seeing much of this with streetlights, which make up a sizable portion of a city’s energy usage. With the introduction of passive infrared sensors to detect people, cities can reduce their energy consumption by automatically turning off lights that aren’t useful without anyone around.
This principle can be applied to just about any other industry as well. IoT usage makes it possible for any facilities manager to monitor the power consumption of every light fixture closely and act accordingly with real-time data.
Managing light fixture maintenance is much easier using IoT technology. Facility managers can easily check on light fixtures using various software to check for flaws, predict power outages, and much more. It’s the easiest and most efficient way to check on the operational status of light fixtures.
The level of convenience provided by smart lighting systems for industrial companies can’t be understated. With IoT technology, operators can control everything anywhere they want—no need to move from fixture to fixture, and it’s available in one convenient location.
IoT technology and smart lighting allow building and facilities managers to change the decor and appearance of spaces on the fly. While this benefit may not apply to everyone, it’s a must-have for multi-use spaces that consistently change the look and feel of their space depending on what’s going on in the building.
With IoT technology, changing up the look of your space with lighting is easier than ever.
A smart building is any infrastructure that automates various operations and processes with the help of information technology—this includes ventilation, heating, security, and much more.
Of course, lighting is also an essential component of a smart building.
IoT integration gives smart building managers incredible flexibility with their LED lighting.
For starters, it allows third-party devices, such as motion and sound sensors, to work alongside light sources. This allows light fixtures to be controlled automatically to enhance the working environment for employees while also keeping power consumption to a minimum.
It also lets facility managers control the light source depending on the time of day. This helps mitigate the effects of eye strain, migraines, and other light-related issues for workers and students, depending on the building.
Building managers can also monitor every lighting fixture from one convenient place, making maintenance much easier and more efficient.
No smart LED luminaire can function without a proper LED driver. When you add IoT functionality to the mix, you’ll need an LED driver to support the proper smart lighting technology you plan to use. Some LED drivers support specific wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth Low Energy or Zigbee.
Back in 2020, Zigbee announced the formation of a team dedicated to commercial IoT development.
When looking for an LED driver, you’ll want to check for compatibility with your wireless protocol of choice. For example, the Zigbee Wireless Constant Voltage Dimming Module allows full control of lighting fixtures through Zigbee smart lighting networks, including dimming features and smartphone control.
Bluetooth lighting control is a popular option. GRE Alpha's BLE dimming modules work with the latest in Bluetooth mesh technology and are available for Casambi and Xicato configurations.
For EnOcean protocols, the EnOcean Wireless Dimming LED Module from GRE Alpha allows seamless integration into either existing LED lighting systems or brand-new projects.
As we continue to move forward with smart lighting and IoT solutions, GRE Alpha continues to innovate and come out with new products to support these lighting solutions in the future. Learn more about our innovative products today.
Filed in: Company News