Futuristic lighting tech that's here now

Lighting technology is not only growing far more durable and energy efficient, but is branching out into whole new territories. The wealth of LED (light-emitting diode) options is especially amazing, considering how out of reach (particularly in terms of cost) the technology appeared just a few short years ago.

Among the latest innovations with exciting possibilities:

No darkness for the ‘Droid

Lighting that can be controlled with your Android device: Google and Lighting Sciences Group recently demonstrated a system they’ve been working on together that could let you wirelessly “talk” with and control Android-enabled light bulbs.

The alphabet soup solution

IP-based lighting management: GreenWave Reality has just teamed up with NXP Semiconductors to offer an IP-based smart lighting control and management system for companies that make compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or solid-state lighting (which includes light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, and organic light-emitting diodes, known as OLEDs). Smart lights equipped with the system can be controlled by a laptop or smart phone, or even set to adjust automatically depending on outdoor lighting conditions or whether or not someone is in the room.

Anytime/anywhere control without new wiring

BEEMTech’s LightBEEM system lets building operators implement an all-in-one lighting control and energy management system without any rewiring necessary. The system, which uses power line carrier (PLC) technology to communicate over existing power lines, enables remote monitoring and control, time scheduling, automated reports, load shedding and customised scenario settings for maximising efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Now, with daylight harvesting

A collaboration between DimOnOff and Leviton is aimed at developing a two-way wireless interface that will make it easier to pair EnOcean sensor modules and LevNet radiofrequency relays to enable smart lighting and energy control. The platform will allow building managers to take advantage of daylight harvesting features, smart-grid demand and response programs and web-based control and monitoring from computing devices and smart phones. The EnOcean Alliance is a consortium of companies working to standardise wireless energy harvesting technology for smart green buildings.

All LED, all the time

GE’s come out with a new portfolio of what it calls LED edge lighting fixtures (pictured at top): a variety of recessed and suspended thin LED lights that can be used to provide ambient lighting in homes, schools, offices and businesses. Not only are the LEDs more energy efficient than standard fluorescent fixtures, but they’re supposed to last 75 per cent longer (12 hours of lighting per day for eight years), are instant on and dimmable, and don’t contain either mercury or lead.