IES and IUVA Collaborate to Publish ANSI Standards for Measuring Ultraviolet C-Band (UV-C) Sources Used for Disinfection

CEA Member IES in the News

The Illuminating Engineering Society and the International Ultraviolet Association have partnered to publish American National Standards for the measurement of ultraviolet C-band emissions. The first two ANSI standards are expected by year’s end, including methods of measurement for low pressure mercury lamps and solid-state UV sources.

For more information: Full Press Release

World Economic Forum: The Moment of Truth for Global Energy Transition is Here

The year 2020 was supposed to be a turning point in the global energy transition. The production and consumption of energy accounts for two-thirds of annual global anthropogenic emissions, making the energy transition central to delivering the promise of the Paris Agreement.

Countries were expected to take stock of their Nationally Determined Contributions to meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals and potentially strengthen their commitments to keeping global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees, with the ambition of reducing this figure to no more than 1.5 degrees. The year 2020 arrived with a sense of gathering momentum as the world entered its decade of delivery.

But over the course of the past few months, we have been up against a low-probability, high-impact catastrophe of global proportions. The speed, scale and intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic caught us off guard, necessitating the reallocation of resources and a collective conviction towards limiting the extent of the damage, and restoring normalcy to the economy and to society as soon as possible.

Read Full Article

How Much Electricity Consumption is Too Little?

This excerpt is from UC Berkeley’s Energy Institute Blog, June 3, 2019, by James Bushnell:

Energy efficiency world views collide.

There are two dueling, strongly held, views on the definition of energy efficiency. The idea of energy efficiency, at least to economists, is to overcome market failures that can lead to people consuming energy even when the full societal costs of the energy exceed their benefits. An alternative perspective also pervades policy circles. This perspective appears to be that people should just use less energy, period. To economists, this view is a perversion of the notion of energy efficiency. Energy efficiency should be about the efficient use of energy, not the non-use of energy.

To read the complete article, please visit the Energy Institute Blog here.

Professional Opportunities at the California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future — one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future; the Energy Commission plays a key role in implementing and crafting policies and programs to create a low-carbon economy.

To find out more about specific opportunities, visit the CEC’s Careers page.

IMARK Now Spring 2019: Codes of Conduct

Featured in the Spring 2019 issue of IMARK Now, industry experts share the most important points that electrical distributors need to know about key energy codes, like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) 90.1 and California Energy Commission (CEC) Title 24 as well as the lighting and other products that can help achieve compliance.

Read the complete article here.

Echoflex Solutions hires Dixon Soracco as Western Regional Sales Manager

Squamish, British Columbia (4 April 2019) – Dixon Soracco has joined Echoflex Solutions as the Regional Sales Manager for the U.S. West. Based out of Portland, Ore., Soracco will be the main liaison between Echoflex, their reps and customers throughout the Western U.S.

“I’m happy to be a part of Echoflex Solutions,” said Soracco. “I’m a big believer in the value of lighting controls —not only for energy savings but also occupant comfort.   What’s exciting to me about Echoflex Solutions is how we can bring advanced code compliance to the market with our wireless, pre-commissioned product.”

Soracco’s strong background in lighting and lighting controls began in the theatre and since then he has expanded his knowledge to the commercial and industrial sectors through working with a variety of lighting representatives, dealers, manufacturers and most recently Harry L. Stearns in Portland, Ore.

Soracco is excited to join Echoflex at what he deems an interesting time in the industry. “As the industry of lighting controls grows and becomes more complicated with new technologies and integrations, it is easy to become distracted from the primary goals of energy savings and occupant comfort. We at Echoflex are committed to being customer-focused and finding solutions that meet and exceed the customer’s needs. Our solutions are easy to maintain, and in a lot of applications, come pre-commissioned from the factory. Now who doesn’t love that?”

Soracco can be reached at Dixon.Soracco@echoflexsolutions.com.

For more info about Echoflex Solutions, please visit echoflexsolutions.com.

Echoflex Solutions boosts safety and efficiency with two new products

Echoflex Solutions continues to expand their control offerings with the Emergency Lighting Circuit Transfer Relay and the Echoflex Demand Response Interface. The Emergency Lighting Circuit Transfer Relay (ELCTR) gives users full transfer switch functionality and safety at a fraction of the cost of a larger panel. The Echoflex Demand Response Interface (ERDRI) is a dedicated contact closure interface that ensures your system can respond to Demand Response requests from the power utility, making it easy to integrate energy management into any Echoflex lighting system.

Emergency Lighting Circuit Transfer Relay

The National Electric Code clearly defines requirements for devices that can be used for emergency transfer of branch circuits. Most existing products do not meet these fault-current rating and endurance requirements. The new Echoflex Solutions Emergency Lighting Circuit Transfer Relay does. The Emergency Lighting Circuit Transfer Relay (ELCTR) is a branch circuit emergency lighting transfer switch designed to transfer a single lighting circuit up to 20A from one power source to another during a power failure or other emergency situation.

 The Emergency Lighting Circuit Transfer Relay is UL 1008 Listed for North American emergency lighting applications. The ELCTR’s rugged construction and fail-safe circuitry are essential where life safety is an issue. It also features a fire alarm input and a signal disconnect relay for emergency control bypass of 0-10V or DALI fixtures.

Echoflex Demand Response Interface

Demand Response commands from public utilities are written into many of today’s energy codes, like California’s Title 24 and ASHRAE 90.1. The new ERDRI from Echoflex allows systems to comply with these requirements. Echoflex’s Demand Response Interface sends a Demand Response command to your lighting system when the input is closed and a Demand Response cancel when the input is open. An LED display indicates the current Demand Response threshold and input state.

For more information, visit echoflexsolutions.com.

2019 California Energy Standards Published

The California Energy Commission has published the 2019 Building Energy Efficiency Standards. The updated standards take effect January 2, 2020. The new standards include changes affecting newly constructed buildings, additions and alterations to existing buildings.

We are proud to announce that CEA’s recommendations for simplified lighting alterations and automated demand response requirements have been incorporated under Section 141.0 and 110.12, respectively. The publication of these recommendations under the 2019 Energy Standards represents a significant milestone for the Alliance. CEA would like to thank its members, CEC staff and other participants for their contributions of time and expertise in development of these updates.

To learn more about California’s Building Energy Efficiency Programs, please visit https://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/. The 2019 Energy Standards may be downloaded here.

CPUC considers Workforce Requirements for Utility Energy Efficiency Programs

The California Public Utilities Commission is considering requirements for minimum workforce standards to be applied to utility energy efficiency programs beginning no later than January 1, 2019. These requirements are part of a larger effort to ensure taxpayer funded energy-efficiency projects conducted by California’s investor owned utilities and regional energy networks require a minimum level of relevant training for contractors installing certain types of commercial equipment that receive utility incentives or rebates. Studies show that quality installation standards and use of a well-trained workforce better ensure customers receive the full energy savings benefit of energy-efficient building equipment.

Last week, an administrative law judge issued its proposed decision regarding the requirements.

“This decision addresses workforce standards required to be applied by all energy efficiency program administrators (PAs) to all programs meeting certain size and measure criteria in their business plan portfolios. The workforce standards are applied to large non-residential projects involving heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning measures, as well as lighting controls. These are intended as a starting point for potentially more far-reaching requirements in the future…”

In order for the proposed decision to take effect, the CPUC must formally vote on its adoption.

The proposed requirements apply to nonresidential HVAC and lighting controls projects meeting certain criteria that receive utility rebates and incentives. To learn more about the proposed requirements, please see the full proposed decision issued on September 7, 2018.

Light! Design Expo 2018

Thanks to the generosity of the San Francisco Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the CEA recently participated in the annual Light! Design Expo at Pier 27 in San Francisco on June 28. Hosted annually by the Section, this lively architectural lighting and design expo is a do-not-miss event for lighting and building design professionals around the Bay Area. The CEA table received

Light! Design Expo's product showcases and educational seminars are specifically geared toward the lighting design and specification community: lighting designers, architects, interior designers, engineers, building owners, facilities and maintenance teams, school districts, municipalities, contractors and more.

CEA Members at LightFair 2018

Many of CEA's member organizations will be exhibiting at Light Fair 2018. This year the trade show and conference is being held in Chicago, IL  - May 8 to May 10. Visit one of our member's exhibits to learn more about CEA.  

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CEA Member                                   Booth #

• Acuity Brands 2602, 1802

• Eaton 807

• Enlighted 412

• ETC 667

• IALD 2812

• Leviton 2025

• LEDVANCE 1041

• Lutron 2431

• Legrand (Wattstopper) 1843

• Philips 1402

Occupancy Controls and Egress Lighting

California's Building Code supersedes the Energy Code. Per the building code, when a space or room is occupied, the entire means of egress from that occupied space to the public way must be illuminated to at least 1 foot-candle (fc).

Use of occupancy controls to reduce light levels during unoccupied periods is allowed.  However, in low mode (unoccupied), lighting along the entire means of egress must remain at 1 fc or above. The means of egress is composed of three distinct sections:

• Exit Access: That portion of a means of egress system that leads from any occupied portion of a building or structure to an exit.
• Exit: That portion of a means of egress system between the exit access and the exit discharge or public way. Exit components include exterior exit doors at the level of exit discharge, interior exit stairways and ramps, exit passageways, exterior exit stairways and ramps and horizontal exits.
• That portion of a means of egress system between the termination of an exit and a public way.

More information may be downloaded below including relevant code sections, determinations published by the California fire marshal, and relevant definitions.

• Download the Fire Marshal's determination.
• Download the Building Code related to egress lighting requirements.
• Download the Energy Code pertaining to occupancy control requirements for lighting systems.
• Download definitions used in the Building Code  - Egress Lighting.

ETC releases Unison Foundry family of distributed power control products

ETC is pleased to introduce a new member of the Unison family: Unison Foundry™. Foundry power products are a line of DMX-controlled, distributed power control products that includes Mini Panels, Relay Controllers, 0-10V Controllers, and Phase-adaptive Dimmers. Foundry products are the perfect partners for Unison Paradigm®, Unison Mosaic® and Echo Control Systems that utilized DMX. These combinations help users create complete lighting and plug-load control packages that provide energy saving features and meet stringent energy codes.

The Foundry Mini Panel is a discrete feed panel available in two versions: four or eight circuits. Each Mini Panel can be wired with a discrete power input for each circuit, or a single input may be shared across multiple circuits.  With support for both 120V and 277V circuits simultaneously, as well as normal and emergency circuits, Foundry Mini Panels offer unmatched flexibility. Fully isolated 0-10V dimming is also standard for each output, meaning Foundry Mini Panels offer outstanding versatility in a compact, robust package.

Foundry Relay Controllers, 0-10V Controllers, and Phase-adaptive Dimmers allow you to place power control exactly where you need it. They are simple to install using a ½-inch conduit knockout and are plenum rated for installation almost anywhere. Foundry Relay Controllers are fully rated for 20 amps making them ideal for both lighting and plug-load applications.  The 0-10V Controllers are fully isolated, providing the best compatibility, even when used with non-isolated 0-10V drivers. The Foundry Phase-Adaptive Dimmers provide smooth reverse- or forward-phase dimming at 120V or 277V for lighting loads up to 600 Watts.

With Unison Foundry you can build a power infrastructure with the flexibility and features you need to meet the demands of state-of-the-art lighting control systems, now and in the future.

 For more info about the entire line of Unison Foundry products, visit etcconnect.com/foundry.

New Lamp Standards in Effect January 1

Image Courtsy of the California Lighting Technology Center

In California, three new lamp standards went into effect on January 1st. The standards impact general service lamps - the common "light bulb", LED lamps and small-diameter directional lamps. The new standards regulate performance for all applicable new products offered for sale in California after January 1, 2018. 

Notable in the new standards are improvements in the required efficacy of new products. Efficacy is measure of light delivered to power consumed. Higher lamp efficacy translates to more energy-efficiency products.

According the California Energy Commission, 

California opted to permit the federal general service light bulb standard to take effect two years ahead of national adoption. This ensures consumers start saving energy and money earlier. Incandescent and halogen light bulbs will not be able to meet the standard, leaving the door open to more energy saving light bulbs.

More information on the new Standards can be found on the Energy Commission Website.

California Building Energy Efficiency Standards expected to Regulate Licensed Healthcare Facilities beginning in 2020

California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) staff, in consultation with the staff of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), have recommended a phased introduction of nonresidential energy efficiency code for licensed medical facilities with the first phase beginning with the launch of the 2019 Standards, which are expected to become effective on January 1, 2020.

The Energy Commission is recommending a phased approach to ensure facilities have ample time to transition to the new requirements. According to the Energy Commision's measure proposal,

"...the proposed measures will have no negative impact on patient or healthcare staff health and welfare. The first phase would begin with the 2019 code cycle (going into effect on January 1, 2020). The proposed first phase would not introduce significant new healthcare facility-specific code, but rather add relevant definitions and extend a subset of existing and proven commercial building energy efficiency standards that have no potential adverse effect on patient health. By extending the scope of the building standards, developing appropriate code definitions, and then applying exceptions where necessary, the 2019 code cycle can lay the foundation for sensible and cost-effective future energy building codes for hospitals and licensed medical facilities in the state. "

To read the Energy Commission's full measure proposal for licensed healthcare facilities, click here.  Additional information on updates to California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards may be found on the Energy Commission website.

Electrical Contractor Magazine publishes its Annual Lighting Special Report

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine has published its annual Lighting Special Report. This month, the magazine is dedicated to all things lighting! Among the dozens of great articles, you can find informative features on Circadian Lighting, Color Tuning LEDs, and Smart Lighting for the Home. Check out the magazine's online edition here.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR also provides an excellent annual review of the work, companies and trends associated with the U.S. electrical contracting industry. This review, typically published in July for the previous year, provides valuable insights into the electrical contractors themselves and the electrical work they are doing across the country.  You can check out the 2016 year-in-review here, which was compiled from more than 2400 electrical contractor survey responses.

About ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR:

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR provides its audience with the latest industry trends in National Electrical Code, other applicable codes and standards, power supply and transmission systems, low voltage and integrated systems, utilities, alternative and renewable energies, energy efficiency, safety best practices and standards, lighting, controls and automation, design/build, service and maintenance, cabling, legal and contracts, estimating, market development, and research.

ETC and Echoflex take balloon museum to new heights

Middleton, WI (13 December 2017) – The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum in Albuquerque showcases the beauty, ingenuity and history of lighter-than-air flight in a building that has become a beloved landmark in its hometown. Thanks to new control products from ETC and their partner Echoflex Solutions they were able to modernize their lighting control, offering a dynamic lighting environment that was also more energy efficient.

Dynamic Lighting

The Museum doesn’t just house balloons, it also is meant to look like one. Its striking facade is the silhouette of a hot air balloon, with the top of the building a dome—newly washed with color-changing LED fixtures. The museum wanted to take advantage of capabilities of the LED fixtures and reinforce the iconic nature of the building. The solution was an ETC Paradigm system. Lighting looks were programmed into the system and now the museum staff can choose custom colors for different holidays or special events.

“Because we are used a lot and we do a lot of activities all year round in the very early morning or late at night, it gives us a way to add an element of beauty to the building,” says Paul D. Garver, manager of the Museum. He has plans to let the lights react to weather conditions like temperature, wind speed and more, and when he’s ready to do that ETC’s system will be able to accommodate that as well. As it is, the lights are still a big hit. “They’re a living, breathing part of what’s going on and it’s a big benefit to us.”

The Paradigm system is also a hit inside. The Museum’s event spaces are now easily changeable thanks to Paradigm control and the 7-inch Touchscreen station. Positioned near the ballrooms, the museum can easily shift preset looks in the ballrooms, showcasing the flexibility of the space.

“We use the Touchscreen and its ease of use as a selling point to potential clients,” says Garver. “Everyone is really impressed.”

Echoflex Solutions technology also helps out in the gathering spaces. Echoflex TAP daylight sensors communicate wirelessly with their dimmers, automatically dimming lights to conserve energy and ensuring a space is always lit correctly. High-ceilinged event spaces are well-served by MOS high-ceiling occupancy sensors. The sensors charge via solar energy, so batteries never need replacing, and the excellent transmission range, along with tuned-sensor circuitry mean the lights quickly come on when needed.

The Great Hall

ETC and their partner made a big impact on the museum’s exhibit spaces as well. The museum’s Great Hall hall is enormous — it has to be in order to house balloon artifacts and models of gigantic zeppelins. While the lighting for these exhibits was simple, turning it on was anything but.

“We were going around having to manually turn everything on in the morning and off in the evening,” says Garver. “It was a huge hassle and a big waste of time.”

Fixing the problem was complicated by the fact the large exhibit halls and soaring ceilings necessary for the exhibits made re-wiring the museum cost prohibitive. The museum also wanted to upgrade the lighting controls in their event spaces. With the purchase of LEDs for the space, the Museum felt they could realize even more energy efficiency, but had no infrastructure to install remote sensors and controls.

The solution to both problems was wireless power control solutions from Echoflex Solutions. Self-powered, wireless wall switches from Echoflex gave the museum the flexibility to place control where they needed it and had the power to cover their large spaces. Other wireless control products only send signal 70 feet — hardly enough for the Museum. Echoflex Solutions products have a much longer communication range, and can send signals up to 300 feet. The Echoflex products integrate seamlessly with ETC’s Paradigm system, so scheduling the exhibits to automatically power on and off was a breeze.

And the exhibits are, ultimately, what the museum is all about. “Museums are educational and engaging venues,” says Garver. “We’re always looking for creative ways to get people involved and connected to us, lighting is one way to do that.” Now, thanks to ETC and Echoflex Solutions, it’s easier than ever for the museum to take its patrons to new heights.

WattStopper Digital Lighting Management Helps USGBC Meet Its Own Highest LEED Standards

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) headquarters in Washington, D.C. is more than just an office building. It serves as a living lab and a testament to the organization’s commitment to its own LEED standards. So when the USGBC team sought out a lighting and plug load controls solution to help it stay within the rigorous LEED Platinum standard, it turned to Legrand.  USGBC selected Legrand’s Wattstopper Digital Lighting Management (DLM) system to ensure it would improve energy efficiency and meet their needs. Wattstopper DLM offered an innovative and occupant-centric approach to lighting and plug load controls. It is an intelligent, distributed control system that automatically maximizes lighting levels and energy efficiency throughout a building.

For more information, click here.

Philips Lighting Named Industry Leader in the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Philips Lighting today announced that it achieved the status of Industry leader in the Electrical Components and Equipment category of the 2017 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The company’s overall score was 85 out of 100 points, demonstrating that sustainability is central to Philips Lighting’s company strategy and purpose. This is the first year that Philips Lighting has been included in the category as an independent company since its initial public offering in May 2016.

“We’re thrilled with this result. It is a real honor to be recognized for the hard work and commitment by everyone in our company. Sustainability lies in the very heart of our business. It is part of our daily work and driven by our leadership with a sense of urgency,” said Nicola Kimm, Head of Sustainability, Environment, Health and Safety.

In its annual evaluation, DJSI recognized Philips Lighting’s strong performance through the launch of its ‘Brighter Lives, Better World’ program, focusing on Sustainable operations and Sustainable revenues. As part of that program, Philips Lighting has made significant progress toward its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2020, reducing its carbon footprint by 21% over the course of 2016. Top scores (100/100) were obtained by Philips Lighting in the categories Climate Strategy, Environmental Reporting, Operational Eco-Efficiency and Innovation Management.

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Originally posted on LEDinside (September 7, 2017).

ETC embarks on a voyage with Norwegian Cruise Line

Credit: Harald Hohenthal/MEYER WERFT

Middleton, WI – This summer, Norwegian Cruise Line welcomed the spectacular Norwegian Joy to its fleet. A custom-built ship for the Chinese cruise market, Joy offers a luxurious experience for up to 3,850 guests. The ship features the first racetrack at sea; multiple bars, restaurants and casinos; a shopping center; a waterpark; and a theater. To help set the right mood for the ship’s many and varied attractions, the vessel is equipped with multiple lighting control desks and an array of lighting fixtures from ETC.

At 185,000 tons and 1,069 feet long, Joy is one of the largest cruise ships ever built, and was constructed by major German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. AV systems integrator Wärtsilä Funa Solutions was appointed to deliver the entertainment systems for the ship’s numerous attractions. The Funa team specified a total of 10 ETC lighting control consoles, positioned in strategic locations throughout the cruise ship. Sarah Wegner, a freelance lighting programmer and event technology specialist, was entrusted with the installation, setup and programming of the desks. Reliability was the overriding factor in determining the choice of consoles. "It’s essential that the consoles function reliably, since it’s not possible to get a replacement when the ship is on the high seas,” explains Wegner. “There is a mobile Ion, which could be exchanged in an emergency, but otherwise you have to wait until you’re back on dry land."

In the ship’s theater, which provides an experience to rival venues on the mainland, an ETC Eos® RPU is used for primary lighting control, with a Gio® console as backup. Ion® and Gio consoles are dotted around the ship for lighting control for a wide range of the other onboard attractions. The requirements are quite diverse: the Supper Club restaurant offers an intimate theater experience; the Spice H2O bar takes inspiration from summer beach parties; there’s an aqua park with waterslides; a small atrium stage; and an outdoor disco. An ETC lighting control desk is also used in the Galaxy Pavilion, which transports visitors into a virtual entertainment world featuring thrilling interactive experiences, including racing simulators and a virtual roller coaster.

Credit: Ingrid Fiebak-Kremer/Norwegian Cruise Line

“The theater shows are programmed by the production team,” says Wegner. “For all the other areas, I have saved cues and stored them either on a server or in the desk.” Media Tubes installed in the Galaxy Pavilion and Spice H2O for effect-lighting take advantage of the Eos console’s pixel-mapping capabilities. To achieve the desired looks, Wegner created the Media Tubes on an Ion control desk in pixel-mapping view. “Eos software is ideal for this,” adds Wegner. “I was able to check in the preview how the parameters affected the overall picture. I prepared everything in there and saved some sample cues.”

Additionally, the Galaxy Pavilion, Supper Club and atrium are equipped with a selection of ColorSource® Spot and PAR luminaires. These four-color LED fixtures are capable of supplying bright, colorful light that can be tailored to suit the distinct needs of the different venues. And, it’s not just the cruise passengers benefitting from ETC technology on Norwegian Joy. Behind the scenes, in the crew disco, Wegner has programmed an Ion console with a selection of different cues, comfortably retrievable by the crew from the server.

Credit: Rick Diaz Photography/Norwegian Cruise Line