Characterization of Connected Lighting Systems Potential to Provide Grid Services

Lead Performer: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Richland, WA
Partner(s): None
FY20 DOE Funding: $773,417
Project Term: October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2021
Funding Type: Direct Funded

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

This project aims to quantitatively characterize the potential of connected lighting systems (CLS) to provide electric grid services. This goal will be accomplished by defining CLS characteristics that enable grid services, performance metrics key to the delivery of specific services, and methods for quantifying services; expanding Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) existing building-grid co-simulation platform by developing and incorporating CLS models; and quantifying CLS potential to provide specific grid services over a spectrum of building- and grid-operating conditions, using the co-simulation platform. A secondary objective of the project is to evaluate the ability of CLS to deliver specific grid services and stakeholder satisfaction, thereby facilitating the ability to guide CLS manufacturers toward the development of more-effective grid-responsive CLS. This goal will be accomplished by evaluating the ability of commercially available CLS to deliver specific grid services in a laboratory environment; developing one or more field-testing plans to validate laboratory results and discern owner, operator, and occupant satisfaction with the combined lighting and grid service; and validating the marketplace relevance of assumptions and recommendations. Project results will be disseminated to technology developers, lighting manufacturers, building owners and operators, system integrators, industry standards organizations, and other researchers.

PROJECT IMPACT

CLS incorporating solid-state lighting (SSL) technology have the potential to provide a range of electric grid services, including those that rely on fast response, for which many other building end uses are not well-suited. SSL power draw can be quickly modulated by dimming deeply and varying light spectrum and distribution, and thereby provide grid services at timeframes of hours to seconds or less. Further, CLS can monitor energy use and space conditions that affect occupant satisfaction, and can share historical and projected data for coordination and optimization with other building equipment. However, the ability of CLS to deliver potential grid services while simultaneously delivering sufficient lighting service and occupant satisfaction has not yet been proven or quantified. This project will evaluate and advance the ability of CLS to provide grid services through modeling and simulation, laboratory testing, and field testing.

CONTACTS

DOE Technology Manager: Brian Walker, [email protected]
Lead Performer: Michael Poplawski, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory