Control the LiTES for energy savings

DETROIT, May 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEnergy, in partnership with Michigan Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (MALCTP), DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, launched the Lighting Technology Energy Solutions (LiTES) program at the 2017 Energy Efficiency Conference & Exhibition hosted by DTE Energy and The Engineering Society of Detroit in Novi, Michigan. LiTES is a three-year initiative supported by the Department of Energy aimed to reduce energy usage in commercial buildings and help business owners save money through the deployment of connected lighting controls.

"Lighting control systems help provide light where it's needed, when it's needed and turn lights off in situations like when the sun is providing ample lighting to a room," said Jean Redfield, president and CEO of NextEnergy. "Lighting control systems have historically been complex and cost-prohibitive, but this program will demonstrate how new innovative systems will simplify the process in a beneficial and cost-effective manner."

Lighting accounts for more than 16 percent of electricity usage in small to medium sized commercial buildings, characterized as less than 100,000 square feet. More than 97 percent of all commercial buildings fall into this size category, making high cost of lighting usage a relevant issue for most building owners and tenants. This new collaborative program aims to reduce the energy footprint in these commercial buildings by accelerating the adoption of advanced lighting control systems. According to the Lighting Controls Association, coupling lighting with controls can generate as much as 38 percent energy cost savings.

Commercial building owners, contractors and advanced lighting control technology providers will all benefit from the program.

Building owners will gain exposure to lighting control solutions that will help them save money and reduce energy. The program will demonstrate lighting control solutions at 100 eligible sites and Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have designed incentives to support the integration costs of advanced lighting controls technologies. Energy savings tracked throughout the program will demonstrate how new lighting control systems benefit  building owners' and managers'  bottom line while reducing the environmental footprint of their buildings.

The LiTES program is designed to train contractors about the latest networked lighting control solutions and their advantages as well as provide consumers with information about advanced lighting control solutions. The MALTCP will add training sessions through a network of IBEW-NECA joint training facilities in Michigan, and DTE Energy and Consumers Energy will launch new training opportunities for their trade allies by hosting 12 half-day training sessions. In total, LiTES will support the training of approximately 100 contractors on advanced lighting controls technologies, installation methods, sales tools, benefits and new business models.

The program will also help advanced lighting control technology providers introduce their solutions to the market and increase awareness of lighting controls among potential customers.

Building owners, contractors, and lighting industry stakeholders interested in learning more about lighting controls and opportunities to get involved can visit nextenergy.org/lites for more information.

SOURCE NextEnergy

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https://nextenergy.org