Lighting trends and challenges

By Philip Hammond, director at BHA School of Lighting

Over the past decade, I've chronicled the evolution of lighting technology in South Africa through numerous articles, both locally and internationally. As I began researching this piece on lighting trends since 2015, I realised how dramatically our industry has transformed.

The story begins with LEDs, first introduced to South Africa in 2008. These revolutionary devices have not only become the gold standard for energy-efficient lighting but have also catalysed a wave of technological innovations that would have been impossible without them.

Let's explore the remarkable developments that have shaped our industry since 2015 – some of which might surprise you, despite being available for years.

What has changed?

The newer technologies are all based on the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and include the following:

1. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is the powering of luminaires with low-voltage direct current using CAT data cables. Data transfer and powering luminaires can be done using the same cables. The benefits are greater energy efficiency, safety, lower installation costs, and eliminating the need for an electrician to install the luminaires. IT professionals or business owners can install the luminaires themselves. The result is between 50% and 80% lower installation costs, providing greater flexibility when layouts change. (Demonstrated in 2012.)
2. Visible Light Communication (VLC) makes it possible to enable luminaires to provide Wi-Fi connectivity. Or even better, to use LED light for data transmission, both up and down, at much higher transfer speed and much larger data packages. (Demonstrated in 2011.)
3. Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS), in simplistic terms, are like global positioning systems (GPS) for indoors. It uses luminaires fitted with beacons, making it possible to negotiate shopping malls, hospitals, museums, galleries and supermarkets using smartphones. (Demonstrated in 2014.)
4. Different control systems such as Bluetooth Mesh (BLE) or Casambi make it possible for many communications between luminaires and other devices, such as CCTV, to control luminaires over a vast area – even across the road and in multi-level facilities. Zones, scenes, motion sensing, daylight harvesting, and more to contribute to super efficiency. (Perfected and began using in 2015.)
5. Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) is lighting that promotes the well-being of the occupants in a way that mirrors the circadian rhythms of humans. (Conceptualised in 2014, and in use since 2015.)

We teach our students how to design the system architecture of each of the above so that they can then include luminaires with the relevant capabilities in their lighting designs. They learn how to develop the financial case to use the technologies in a presentation to their clients to show the return on investment (ROI) in a winning solution with longevity.

Despite the wealth of innovative lighting technologies available, their limited adoption within the built environment's professional community remains a significant concern. Nevertheless, to promote understanding and encourage the implementation of these advances in lighting and controls, I'll provide an overview of current possibilities in the field.

AI in lighting

Lighting is rapidly making greater use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Why is lighting adopting AI? Well, here are some of the reasons:

1. It streamlines workflow.
2. It can interpret high volumes of data.
3. It can summarise big subjects into easily readable notes.
4. Uses data that has been accumulated and interpreted can be used for smart lighting.
5. It can be used for predictive maintenance to identify lighting equipment that needs maintenance before it fails.

Exciting new technologies and controls

Rather than focus only on AI, here are some of the new lighting technologies and controls that are available:

1. Touchless light switches where light switches recognise the biometrics of the user.
2. Long-range Bluetooth Mesh for outdoor lighting.
3. Micro-luminaires with high light output and ease of installation.
4. 3D-printed luminaires.
5. Acoustic luminaires in high-traffic areas, such as call centres.
6. Embedded solar harvesting with illuminating fabric capable of delivering 109 W/m² of light.
7. Colour-tuneable LED grow lights for use in vertical farming with a variety of crops.
8. Therapeutic lighting, including light masks used for the treatment of a variety of skin conditions. Other forms of therapeutic lighting for treating Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s.
9. Quantum Dot lighting, known for the accuracy of its colour rendering.
10. Dynamic lighting, which can be used in a real-time environment, can adjust to the user’s personal preferences or tasks.

Never stop learning

Continuous learning is fundamental to my role in developing comprehensive technical manuals and training materials. This knowledge enables our students to master new technologies, incorporate advanced systems into their lighting designs, and effectively supervise contractors during installation.

Moreover, staying at the forefront of industry developments allows me to contribute meaningfully to the lighting community, both in South Africa and internationally.

A winning strategy I recently encountered resonates deeply with our industry: "Be teachable: you don't know everything, and you're not always right." This philosophy underscores why lighting professionals should embrace lifelong learning, constantly expanding their expertise in our rapidly evolving field.