The scope of the Task is on general lighting systems for indoor environments and the interrelation of buildings (their facades) with urban settings. The focus is laid on lighting appliances in non-domestic buildings. Technically the Task deals with integrating:
- daylight utilization by enhanced facade technologies and other architectural solutions,
- electric lighting schemes addressing technology and design strategies in the context of progressing digitalization, and
- lighting control systems and strategies with special emphasis on visual and non-visual user needs with special emphasis on the interface of day- and electric lighting.
This is put under the constraint of low carbon emission for fulfilling the lighting services in an LCA / circular economy context.
The Task targets building designers and consultants, industry (façade, electric lighting, and software companies), owners (investors) and authorities by providing strategic, technical and economic information and with network activities helping these stakeholders overcome barriers in identifying and then pursuing and implementing low carbon lighting concepts and installations. Thus, the so far focus mainly on energy efficiency only shall be widened.
Purpose and Objectives
The overall objective of the activity is to identify and support implementing the potentials of lighting (electric, façade: daylighting & passive solar) in the decarbonization on a global perspective while aligning the new integrative understanding of humans’ light needs with digitized lighting on a building and a building related urban scale. This can be subdivided into the following specific objectives.
Actively support broadening the view on lighting solutions as a whole in the context of decarbonization. Help bridge the gap between a component view (manufacturer’s focus) to design-oriented system approaches. Support the transition from a rather pure energy focussed view so far to a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective. On this basis, identify key impact factors, and develop the most effective strategies and roadmaps while including regional specifics. Contextualize this with the fast-developing digitization of buildings/lighting installations on the technology, design and operational side. Add to selected open points in the digital chain like better design processes. Align this with the still growing understanding of user needs; here especially build upon results from earlier Tasks (e.g., IEA SHC Task 61).
Integrate competencies: Bring the different involved players (electric lighting, façade, industry, controls) so far not connected on low carbon solutions together in workshops and specific projects. Create added value also by transferring into standardization, regulations and building certificates.
Foster the broad implementation of low carbon solutions, also and especially in developing countries, by promoting tailored “Low Tech – High Impact solutions” by demonstration, design guidelines and workshops.
Main Activities
To accomplish the objectives of the Task, the Participants will carry out research and developments in the framework of the following four subtasks and one joint working group:
- Subtask A: Low Carbon Lighting and Passive Solar: Scenarios, Strategies, Roadmaps
- Subtask B: Visual and non-visual User Requirements
- Subtask C: Digitalized Lighting Solutions (Technology & Design Tools / Process)
- Subtask D: Application and Case Studies