SusLight_works

Currently, around 20% of global electricity consumption is used for lighting. Thanks to the invention of the white light-emitting diode (LED) at Fraunhofer IAF in 1995 and its rapid development, an efficient, environmentally friendly and long-lasting semiconductor light source with an energy-saving potential of up to 85% compared to light bulbs is now available. However, with the increasing spread of LED lighting, a number of problems and challenges are also emerging: The driver electronics generate high losses and often limit the service life of LED lights. Furthermore, as a semiconductor light source, LEDs offer new functionalities, such as loss-free dimming, variable colour temperature or adaptive light field, which are currently only insufficiently used. The lighting control installation in existing buildings also usually only allows very limited flexibility in room and daylight utilisation and needs-based light generation.

Building on the results of the LZN Suslight pilot project, innovative, smart and energy-efficient LED workplace luminaires were developed in the Suslight_Works demonstrator project.

The functions of demand detection, closed-loop control of colour temperature and lighting and daylight simulation are implemented: The built-in colour sensor technology enables a human-centric simulation of daylight, as well as resource conservation through demand detection and daylight utilisation, even for demanding activities in the office or on the shop floor. Both demonstrators have a sensor system that exactly replicates the eye to detect colour temperature and illuminance on the work surface, e.g. when using daylight, and IR sensors to detect demand/presence.

Depending on the activity, the luminaire is controlled either via the stored software, via a web interface or via a smartphone app. The two luminaire heads are controlled separately to serve 2-4 office workstations.

Furthermore, reliable electrolytic capacitor-free LED drivers in ASIC design were realised in order to increase the service life of LED luminaires.

The topics of smart and human-centred lighting and sustainability researched at Suslight_works are highly relevant for luminaire manufacturers, lighting designers and users, as they help to conserve resources and improve ergonomics and efficiency in the workplace.