Due to the closing of many coal and nuclear plants, utilities are trying to identify how to handle the changes. The closure of these plants around the country is a big deal for the energy industry, considering coal has been the primary source of power generation in the US for more than 100 years and nuclear for over 35 years.

The energy storage levels across the United States are increasing and have been growing consistently at about 8% per year. The main reason for this is because of increased awareness, economic gains and technology improvements. This trend is expected to continue, as energy storage costs are expected to decline by nearly 40% by 2022. According to the Energy Storage Association, energy storage could save businesses up to $21 billion annually by 2030.

In conclusion, if you are looking to navigate the energy markets, then your primary concern should be finding ways to purchase at low market times and to reduce your energy consumption. 

As a commercial or industrial business leader, it's only natural for you to be in control. This extends beyond your employees. Take charge of your spending and energy efficiency by instituting commercial lighting control systems in your building.

With lighting controls, you have options—and they're simpler than you think.

Most buildings are using more energy from lighting than necessary, which means they're overspending on electricity. In general, people set lights higher than needed for a given space. Meanwhile, unoccupied spaces lack technology that can shut off lights as needed.

Lighting controls help you manage when, where, and how much you're using lights. 

This helps you avoid being wasteful while retaining the necessary lighting you need for an efficient workflow or desirable consumer-facing space.

Some types of advanced lighting controls can save as much as 75% of energy compared to non-controlled lighting.

By installing energy saving lights with features like motion and occupancy sensors, photosensors, and daylight harvesting technology wherever you can, you'll be able to considerably lower energy demand on the homefront. Ultimately, you can take back control of your building, energy bill, and sustainability metrics.

Keep in mind that different types of lighting controls implement energy efficiency in unique ways.

To maximize the benefits of lighting controls, you'll want to know the key types of controls that you can implement.

Aside from outdated basic lighting controls, there are two broad categories of lighting controls you can install:

1. Advanced lighting controls: ALC systems are wireless control systems that serve functions like dimming, occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, scheduling, and demand response. They're good at optimizing a space for use and getting rid of unnecessary energy. They offer some of the biggest opportunities for effective energy reduction.
   
2. Networked lighting controls: NLC systems are a step above ALC systems because they use wirelessly networked integrated sensors. This enables the lighting fixtures that make up the building to communicate not only with the control system, but with one another. The systems use data to their advantage, helping you improve your energy usage over time.
   

Historically, the initial cost of advanced lighting control systems controls has been higher, leading business owners to veer away from this option. But they have decreased over the years (by as much as 20% cheaper from 2019–2020), which makes them a viable option for companies of different sizes. This is useful whether you're upgrading your lighting systems or setting up controls for new construction.

Meanwhile, networked controls are getting increasingly intelligent. Smart lighting is able to profile energy consumption for a variety of frameworks, and its list of applications is only growing. While the initial cost may be higher, they manage load to minimize cost and increase revenue over time. If you're renting out a warehouse facility, NLCs also reduce the cost of changeover to new building lessees.

Here are a few examples of networked lighting controls:

• Acuity Controls nLight AIR offers autonomous bridging technology. This means it optimizes your existing lighting control devices by connecting them to a hub, or system controller.
  
• SimplySnap by Synapse supports retrofit and new construction installations for a variety of lighting applications.
  
• Cree SmartCast Technology delivers lighting control solutions with a brand-specific one-button setup and motion sensing technology.
  

Frankly, the best way to keep your lighting controls solutions simple is to choose a holistic system that can grow with you. In the case of networked lighting solutions, you're optimizing your facility right now and for the future of energy usage by gathering data on the fly.

Because networked lighting is smart and centralized (and conducts two-way communication), you're setting yourself up for success. And while the systems may feel complex in nature, that's because they are—but they're doing the hard work so you don't have to. 

An NLC system is at the core of the 175,000-square-foot Toronto General Hospital's upgrade from basic, a process that cut the building's energy consumption by about 74%. Carnegie Mellon University also used a basic-to-networked upgrade to save about 70% of energy costs without sacrificing performance.

It goes to show how monumental a networked lighting control upgrade can be when done right. It doesn't have to make facility managers pull their hair out during the process, either.

LEED certification provides a framework for energy efficiency. To be LEED-compliant, commercial and industrial facilities must take lighting controls into account. 

Lighting controls requirements for LEED certification include:

• Daylight responsive controls for areas within 15 feet of windows and skylights that are lit during the daytime. Identify your daylit spaces and install automatic switches or dimming features that respond to existing natural light levels.
• Daylight responsive controls for at least 50% of the building's lighting load.
  
• Occupancy sensors for at least 75% of the building's connected lighting load.
  

Utility companies have ways of trimming peak demand to help maintain grid integrity and keep their costs down. One of those ways is through demand response programs.

There are two types of demand response programs: Economic and emergency.

Lighting is a key factor in energy usage, accounting for an average of 20% of electricity used on site. This makes it a great target for demand response. 

Installing lighting controls contributes to passive lighting demand response. Occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, and other types of lighting controls can minimize usage during times of peak demand. For businesses involved in revenue-generating demand response programs, reducing non-essential lighting is an easy way to earn money back on your energy and minimize the overall cost of lighting.

If you have never participated in a demand response program in your state before, it's a good idea to line it up with a lighting control installation. In Pennsylvania, commercial and industrial organizations make up a huge chunk of demand response participants, helping generate revenue for their respective businesses and minimize grid pressure during peak times.

Even though they're invisible to the average person who isn't involved in the process, choosing to install lighting controls is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a commercial or industrial facility owner.

The right choice for your business is one that works with the nuances of your building or complex. It's one that caters to your business operations and makes life simple for you, not only now but years down the line. 

Our advice? Work with a local energy consultant to determine the specific lighting control system that checks off all your boxes. There are plenty of options, especially when it comes to innovative networked lighting controls.

If you're running a facility in or around Pennsylvania, reach out to A1 Energy for a lighting control consultation. We have the scoop on energy-saving lighting controls that can:

• Shave your energy usage
• Make you LEED-compliant
  
• Help you generate revenue from regional demand response programs
  
• Gather data for an increasingly optimized lighting experience across your facility
  

An LED tube functions within a lighting fixture (sometimes referred to as a luminaire).

The lighting fixture houses the lamp. In this case, that lamp is the LED tube.

Not all tubes are LED. Oftentimes, companies will have fluorescent lighting fixtures in place that house fluorescent tubes. However, these businesses will often switch to LED tubes to avoid having to replace their entire network of lighting fixtures to achieve energy efficiency.

Some light fixtures have more than one lamp, which means they require multiple tubes within the housing.

There are various kinds of LED tubes, but modern businesses tend to prioritize the most commonly used types (we'll dive into that more below). There are numerous benefits to using LED tubes, even when you maintain your existing fixtures.

LED tubes do function in fluorescent fixtures, which is exactly why they're such a do-it-all option.

The first step in upgrading from fluorescent tubes is to remove the old lamps and their ballasts (when applicable). A ballast helps regulate a fluorescent light's voltage; without a ballast, a fluorescent tube has a rapid and uncontrollable current. LED tubes don't necessarily require a ballast, but many do function with one. This depends which kind of LED tube you opt for during your retrofit.

The professional you hire to install the LED tubes will likely need to do some rewiring to help the new lamps function in their fluorescent housing. The logistics of this depend on which type of LED tube you decide to install.

One reason why working with a professional is so helpful is because not all LED tubes are certified for safety and efficiency (e.g. DLC qualified and UL certified lighting). Using the wrong tubes on a large scale could be detrimental to your building's lighting network and overall safety.

LED tubes can be ballast-compatible or direct wire.

A ballast-compatible tube functions with the fluorescent fixture's existing ballasts. Magnetic ballasts are an older technology that you won't find very often anymore. Instead, you'll commonly encounter electronic ballasts, which run most fluorescent lighting systems. There are different types of tubes that operate this way.

Meanwhile, direct wire LED tubes bypass the ballast technology (which is why you may see them described as ballast bypass LED tubes). If you're using direct wire LED tubes, you'll remove the ballasts before installing the lamp. 

Even more than ballast-compatible tubes, a qualified lighting technician and electrician are crucial parts of the direct wire LED tube installation process.

Let's cover the three main types of LED tubes used in warehouse LED lighting:

• Type A: This is considered the easiest type of LED tube to install. It can operate right into a fluorescent ballast that's already in place. Be sure your existing fixture and ballasts are compatible so they won't hike up maintenance costs during the tube's lifetime.
  
• Type B: Unlike Type A, the Type B tubes need something called an integrated driver. This allows the existing fixture's voltage supplier to power the tube. You modify the fixture's electrical system by removing the ballast.
  
• Type C: For this tube, the power comes from a remote electronic LED driver. You need to remove your existing ballasts. Electrical modification is also required, but Type C improves performance. One remote driver can power multiple tubes in a fixture.  
  

At A1 Energy, we install direct wire LED tubes more frequently than ballast-compatible solutions.

When compared to fluorescent lighting, direct wire LED tubes have a whole slew of pros. For one, they last about 50,000 hours— which is significantly greater than the average fluorescent tube. Their brightness is about the same, but LED tubes can also be dimmed in certain scenarios.

When comparing direct wire LED tubes against ballast-compatible options, the key pro and con differs… 

Direct wire tubes are typically cheaper, which can benefit the average industrial or commercial business. 

However, direct wire tubes require an additional layer of caution during installation due to the fact that the tube is interacting directly with the line voltage.

Any switch from fluorescent to LED lighting is going to put a noticeable dent in your energy usage. Direct wire (or ballast-bypass) LED tubes are the most efficient type of LED tubes because no energy is lost in the ballast. That's more money in your wallet over the long term. 

If you're thinking about the environment, LEDs contain no mercury and require less energy to run. In a world where non-renewable energy currently has the stronghold, this is crucial.

Trying to decide on the right warehouse LED lighting with energy efficiency in mind? 

An LED lighting retrofit can be a highly involved process, from determining the right type of tube to actually instituting the installation safely and effectively. Plus, every building is unique, and every business owner has their own vision for what their LED lighting should be. That's why a lighting professional should be your first point of contact for an LED tube installation.

For industrial and commercial businesses in and around Pennsylvania, A1 Energy has lighting technicians on staff to help with any of your commercial lighting endeavors—including LED tubes.

Today, exterior lighting of any kind must be:

• Efficient and sustainable
• Inviting and comfortable
• Safe and secure
  
  

At least 80% of the world's population experiences light pollution, or the brightening of the night-sky from man-made lights. In coastal cities, that brightness often causes light to hit the seafloor. Light pollution can disrupt communities and ecosystems alike.

Lighting that is dark-sky friendly drastically reduces the fixtures' contribution to light pollution. So what does it mean to have LED area lights that are dark-sky friendly?

According to International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), lighting should:

• Only be on when needed
• Only light the necessary area
• Keep brightness at the minimum for visibility
• Keep blue lights off whenever possible
• Be shielded by sides and pointing downwards
  
  

You could have old and inefficient lights in your exterior commercial lighting setup, but what's the point? LED area lights are a sustainable, durable solution for businesses, especially those who require a robust exterior lighting system.

Modern LED lighting benefits businesses in a few ways. Most notably, they're highly durable, effective for directional lighting, and much more efficient than the alternatives.

Comparatively, non-LED lights like metal halide or high-pressure sodium lamps have a lower up-front cost than their LED counterparts. But down the line, LED lights actually save you money because of their efficiency. It's an investment that will come full circle in the long-term, which can be hugely beneficial for established and budding companies alike.

Plus, non-LED lighting tends to emit more heat. High-pressure sodium lamps in particular lose about 15% of their heat to emissions, which has to do with their omnidirectional lighting. In addition to taking up more energy, this can be dangerous for a warming climate. The global temperature has increased 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880, with 19 of the warmest years occurring since 2000. It can also be problematic for states prone to wildfires, like Texas, California, and Colorado.

In short, LED area lights just make sense, especially for commercial and industrial businesses.

Color temperature is a major consideration in exterior commercial lighting. You can find out precisely how cool or warm a light is by its degrees Kelvin (K). This measurement is a lot more accurate than simply referring to the words "cool" or "warm" on a package.

For any exterior lighting that is simply for display, you can go with 3,000K. This is considered a warm white light. However, any lighting required for security and functional visibility may require a higher rating. You just don't want the lighting too bright or it becomes difficult for people to see. 

Lights between 5,000–6,000K will deliver the highest contrast for the eyes. This is good for in-person visibility as well as security camera visibility. 

Check with a lighting consultant for an expert opinion on exterior commercial lighting color temperatures. 

In addition to setting up lights that are 5,000– 6,000K for optimum visual contrast, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind for your exterior lighting:

• Consider motion sensors.  These can help with efficiency and dark-sky friendliness while also keeping things secure on your property.
• Consider investing in a holistic audio visual (AV) integrator system.  Your lighting could work in tandem with an IoT system and other components to contribute to a well-rounded and innovative commercial ground.
  
• Work with an LED lighting consultant to figure out the best mix of lighting fixtures for your property.  There are floodlights, canopy lights, post-tops, wall packs, parking lot lights, and more.  Your business layout and functionality is unique, so you shouldn't rely on a template for this one. 

1. Take stock of your property.  How many acres? What kind of lights do you have now? How many?
2. Define your goals. More Security? More accessibility for disabled individuals?
3. Contact a consultant to get a bespoke lighting plan designed specifically for your site and goals.
4. Agree on types of LEDs you'll use and what color temperature.
5. Invest in a solution that will reap rewards for the long term, and come up with a financing solution or payment plan if need be. 
   

The Manheim Auto Auction in Manheim, Pennsylvania (home base for A1 Energy) is the largest auto auction in the world.

The auto auction sits on a 500-acre plot of land and has 42,000 vehicle spots. A1 Energy was able to install more than 6,100 lightbulbs and fixtures, working around sale days for the auction's convenience.

"It's not always daylight so we have to make sure that every square foot of this lot has enough coverage to make it safe." - Kevin Gantz, Assistant GM at Manheim Auto Auction

Because of the massive site, A1 Energy had the opportunity to help the auto auction achieve great energy savings. By retrofitting the property with various types of commercial-industrial applications, the auction was able to realize a large kWh savings. This translated into them receiving a rebate of more than $300,000 from PPL, their local electric utility.

This shows how important an exterior commercial lighting system can be in helping you achieve your business goals—whatever they may be.

For more information on exterior commercial lighting and LED lighting retrofits, contact A1 Energy today. 

LED lighting may be energy-efficient, but that's not the only tactical benefit. These systems are also more resilient, particularly when compared to their older and inefficient counterparts. Fixtures are shock resistant and built more firmly than the alternatives, which makes them last longer. 

LEDs also dim over time rather than burning out. This, too, increases their lifespan. In some instances, an LED light may see upwards of 50,000 additional lifetime hours. Not only does this mean you won't have to worry about replacement until well down the line, but it also means you're keeping service and labor costs down in the meantime.

Sustainability may not be your primary goal when switching to an energy-efficient lighting solution. But regardless of your prerogative, your facility will inherently become more efficient. Using LED lighting financing can be a streamlined route toward reducing your impact.

Why's this matter so much? Policymakers are becoming increasingly vigilant about corporate environmental impact. You may only have a certain level of emissions you can put out before you've reached the acceptable limit. 

Pennsylvania is well behind California, a state with strict greenhouse gas emission caps. However, that doesn't mean things aren't changing. Companies will be required to comply with these limitations, and LED lighting is a solution to help you tackle both problems at once.

According to Jensen Handwork of the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF), the benefits of financing your LED lighting truly start immediately. 

Handwork says, "The money you save each month on your utility bills from a lighting upgrade often exceeds your monthly finance payment—this means savings starting on Day 1. National Energy Improvement Fund is excited to partner with A1 Energy to deliver financing solutions that are affordable and accessible for all its customers."

For Pennsylvania industrial and commercial facilities, LED lighting financing may be the ideal solution—whatever benefits you may be after. At A1 Energy, we don’t believe you should have to incur upfront expenses if you don't want to. If you want to make your building more energy efficient, contact us today to learn more about a lighting retrofit—and the budget-friendly LED financing options at your beck and call.

On October 29, I spent the day at the State Capital, along with members from the  Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance (KEAA) supporting the spirit of ACT129. We spoke to several Senators and asked for their opposition to a bill that is currently in committee that would allow large industrial users to opt-out of Act 129. We asked for their support for SB232 and HB193  that would remove the cap on utility energy efficiency investment, as a better route to addressing energy efficiency measures for all. 

Since the establishment of A1 Energy in 2005, we have strived to ensure the most cost-effective and incentivized routes to energy efficiency for small and mid-size to large industrial facilities. As I have said before, there is no one tactic that makes the biggest contribution to energy optimization. Three main categories must be addressed when optimizing energy. It begins with strategies for reducing energy demand, then strategies for energy procurement, and on-site energy generation. We help the organizations we work with to stay ahead of the curve and take strategic action on all energy projects. Our involvement in statewide policy is based on the need to support all facility sizes at every project level for energy efficiency. Energy efficiency measures not only lower operating costs for industry, but it also lowers the contribution to GHG emissions, as laid out by Governor Wolf’s Climate Initiative.

Both SB 232 and HB 193 will continue to support the energy efficiency and conservation success of Act 129. Removing the cap on utility energy efficiency investment is the wise route to take as it would enable Pennsylvania businesses to maintain a positive path forward on energy and ensure equity in energy efficiency project funding. Energy project rebates and benefits for all ratepayers, reduction of system costs, and energy resilience are all very important matters every business, no matter how small or large will ultimately benefit from. Expanding Act 129 is a robust way to move forward as a collective working to help the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania navigate the energy challenges of the future.

Since the implementation of Act 129’s three ambitious phases, an independent evaluation of Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE&C) programs found that Pennsylvania’s Phase II (2008-2013) for commercial and industrial (C&I) programs were highly successful. Some of the major highlights from the programs include:

 • 1,337,127 MWh/year total saved 

 • $95 million in annual electricity bill savings for Pennsylvanian ratepayers 

 • 223 MW of peak demand savings in Phase II, which is equivalent to a small power plant

Conclusion

While these bills await moving through the various committees, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) is in the process of developing Phase IV of Act 129, scheduled to begin June 2021. Act 129 reduces payback periods, which allow for greater investment in energy efficiency projects. All customers are welcome to engage in the development of the program via the PUC stakeholder process. The support of SB 232 and HB 193 will lift the cap on funding for energy efficiency projects and aid large industrial customers to participate in the benefits of Act 129.

If you are interested in staying the course or improving any shortfalls in Act 129, be sure to contact your representatives and tell them to support SB 232, HB193, and not to support SB129.