Not all innovations lead to new products, instead, they can represent fresh approaches, improved processes or enhanced solutions. Kate Baker, Connected Lighting Manager at Ansell Lighting, highlights the benefits and impact that smart lighting can have, alongside the integration of light management tools to align with an efficient energy strategy.
At the heart of a data centre is its modus operandi to maintain and sustain access to power and connectivity 100% of the time. With energy consumption from data centres predicted to rise by 30% over the next two years, organisations must focus on finding ways to optimise electricity use to meet net zero targets and reduce operational costs.
As significant users of power and electricity, data centres face constant challenges around energy efficiency, operational costs and sustainability. To stay competitive and meet industry standards, they must operate at peak performance whilst carefully managing their Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metrics.Top of FormBottom of Form
The drive for net zero is also becoming increasingly prevalent in both building regulations and government-led initiatives as data centres, alongside other organisations are called upon to ensure that their buildings use no more fuel and power than is reasonable.
Indeed, the International Energy Association (IEA) says that for net zero goals to be achieved, data centres and networks must cut carbon emissions in half by 2030. A difficult task, particularly when you consider the IEA also predicts electricity consumption to rise by 30% in data centresby 2026, due to on-going growth and expansion.
With stark figures such as these, the onus is on data centres to monitor and analyse their energy use, finding areas where savings can be made so that they can deliver their services as proficiently as possible. Data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) has become a powerful tool in helping organisations to do this; providing operators with a universal set of metrics to monitor and optimise infrastructure whilst also positively impacting the bottom line.
However, despite the advanced DCIM technology utilised within data centre operations, lighting is often overlooked. Senseless when you consider that lighting accounts for at least 5% of all energy use in a data centre and represents an area where substantial savings can be made. Luminaires are a key asset in a building and building managers should ensure they are investing in efficient, long-lasting lighting solutions that not only lower energy consumption but also support broader sustainability targets.
Smart lighting systems are an ideal option for data centres. Offering more efficiency, better control and helping to lower operational costs, they have the potential to cut the amount of energy used to light buildings by up to two-thirds. Using wireless technology and protocols such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Zigbee, smart lighting works by seamlessly connecting luminaires, enabling a network of lamps to be created that can be controlled and automated from one central point.
The options and benefits this offers are endless. Every single detail of the lighting system can then be programmed to meet specific requirements, changing as required at different times of the day or according to the use of the space. Factors such as colour, brightness, intensity and the combinations of lamps in use can all be automated and controlled to the most minute detail, meaning that energy use is controlled to this exact level too.
Smart lighting systems are particularly useful in areas that people do not enter regularly, ensuring that lighting will not be left on unnecessarily and eliminating waste.
Whilst implementing smart lighting systems is vital for optimising lighting efficiency, effective monitoring is also required to enable managers to take energy optimisation to the next level.
A brand-new innovation that can facilitate this is light monitoring dashboards. A tool that can report real-time data from luminaires, enabling lighting environments to be monitored, managed and optimised like never before.
Light monitoring dashboards collect information from smart fittings across the entire installation network, displaying data in a user-friendly interface that offers full visibility of the lighting infrastructure at a glance.
The benefits of this insight are vast. Operators can quickly identify inefficiencies or waste, such as lights operating unnecessarily or outside of programmed parameters. Dashboards can also streamline maintenance by predicting potential issues before they arise, reducing the need for manual inspections and reactive repairs. This in turn can support carbon reduction efforts, minimising the need for maintenance teams to drive around sites and manually check emergency and non-emergency luminaires.
Light monitoring dashboards also provide a convenient central hub from which all lighting data and reports can be accessed and stored. This greatly simplifies reporting procedures and means that the status of every lighting device can be viewed in one place. Providing instant compilation and access to information required for statutory reports, dashboards streamline compliance audits and ensure accurate documentation is readily available.
Additionally, in areas where clients expect tight entry access into secure areas, the ability to remotely monitor the status of emergency lights supports regulatory compliance without the need for staff to be physically present in an area.
By leveraging luminaire-specific data, light monitoring dashboards can also provide data centres with tailored insights that improve programming, performance and even product longevity. For example, temperature readings might reveal a light fitting installed too close to a heat source, helping operators address potential issues before they impact the fixture’s lifespan. Similarly, diagnostic insights from driver data banks can guide more effective control plans, ensuring lighting is optimally programmed for its environment.
With a myriad of data points available in a data centre for review, building managers can use dashboards to support environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Predictive maintenance reduces costs, automated reporting saves time and real-time monitoring supports better decision-making.
In an industry that already invests heavily in monitoring its infrastructure, lighting deserves greater focus. Smart lighting systems and dashboards represent untapped potential for improving energy efficiency, enhancing operational control and contributing to sustainability goals.
By embracing more sophisticated lighting solutions, data centre managers can make lighting a vital part of their energy strategy – and step into the spotlight of innovation and efficiency.
