The Department of Energy (DOE) has developed an interactive web tool called Commercial Lighting Solutions (CLS) intended to provide “how to” advice about ways to improve interior lighting efficiency and reduce energy consumption for a potential savings of 30% or more in commercial buildings.
The design guidance provided by the web tool will be available free of charge! How cool is that? 8)
The web tool that provides energy savings projections to users based on their choices.
CLS gathers information from users on building type and space description, then allows the user to select their preferred lighting solution, which include performance specifications for lighting equipment and controls, design layouts, and supporting documentation. Also included is detailed technical information aimed at architects and engineers.
CLS will also link users to participating utilities, where applicable, to access rebates and incentives.
A project of the Building Technologies Program at the DOE, the CLS team is currently gathering feedback while the CLS tool is in beta and making changes based on the feedback they are getting from it’s users.
Commercial Lighting Solutions have currently been developed and analyzed for five macro-types of retail stores with more on the way:
- Big box
- Small box
- Grocery
- Specialty market
- Pharmacy
Designed to meet or exceed the savings levels to qualify for Energy Policy Act tax incentives, the solutions are being developed in conjunction with an update to the Advanced Lighting Guidelines.
When it is ready, users of the Commercial Lighting Solutions web site often will have a choice of several design vignettes and lighting control strategies that suit parameters they input for their project.
A solution can be implemented as shown, or it an be used as a starting point for a design that is refined to serve particular corporate branding, architectural or business objectives.
Modeled results for each solution included on the web site must show decreased energy consumption of 30% or greater below a baseline design. Some of the solutions have achieved modeled savings of 50% or more!
Click here to check out the FREE Commercial Lighting Solutions Beta Tool
Originally reported on lighting.com
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First off, let me say that I am NOT posting this late. I did not get this until 25MAY09 but the contest runs until the end of July so you still have time. I am posting the email sent to me by HYVE regarding this really cool contest. I am considering entering and I hope all of you lighting designers out there do too. Come on! Strut your stuff – you might win something. If any of you do, please post back here or send me an email with images and an explanation (short) of your design – I would LOVE to post them here! 😀 Here is the email explaining the contest: 
Mr. Willi Bremecker, the Team Leader for Sales at DIAL – makers of DIALux – has informed me that there is now an 
Hess has introduced a large DIALux plugin with over 2200 luminaires and variations! Kewl 8) They have mimicked their website’s navigation in the plugin’s user interface which should make for easy browsing.
