Transform Energy Management with Light Monitoring Dashboards

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

As the call for sustainability grows louder, a new technology is making waves in the lighting sector, offering an innovative way to optimise energy usage and reduce costs while streamlining maintenance and reporting. This breakthrough is transforming the management of our built environments, and we had the opportunity to speak with Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting, who shared insights into this game-changing innovation and its potential impact on energy consumption linked to lighting.

With energy prices soaring and sustainability targets becoming increasingly stringent, the push for effective energy optimisation in buildings has never been more crucial. Property owners and operators are eager for solutions that not only reduce costs but also align with their environmental goals. Enter light monitoring dashboards—an exciting new technology that promises to revolutionise the approach to lighting management.

These cutting-edge dashboards, when paired with smart lighting systems, offer users a wealth of insights necessary for intelligent and effective management of lighting use. Acting as a central hub, they collect real-time data from smart fittings and present this information through a user-friendly interface. This allows for a comprehensive overview of a building’s lighting infrastructure at a glance.

What exactly do these dashboards track? They record and store vital information such as energy consumption per fixture, occupancy patterns, brightness levels, and even environmental conditions surrounding the fixtures. Additionally, they provide maintenance alerts, enabling operators to monitor, manage, and optimise their lighting environments like never before.

From an energy management perspective, light monitoring dashboards represent a paradigm shift. They empower operators to significantly reduce energy consumption not just from lighting in operation, but also across an organisation’s entire carbon footprint. The real-time data on energy consumption offers granular insights into how, when, and where energy is utilised. This capability extends beyond individual buildings, allowing for the monitoring of connected installations across multiple estates.

With these dashboards, users can track usage patterns, identify inefficiencies, and make data-driven adjustments as necessary. For instance, businesses can easily identify underutilised areas where lights have been left on unnecessarily. They can also access information on peak usage times to adjust their lighting schedules accordingly. Such capabilities not only enhance energy efficiency but also contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions, supporting broader sustainability initiatives.

Moreover, the introduction of light monitoring dashboards streamlines maintenance and management procedures, further aiding in carbon footprint reduction. By providing a central hub for tracking the performance of all smart lighting fixtures, the need for in-person manual inspections diminishes. The statutory testing of both emergency and non-emergency luminaires can also be executed at the touch of a button, eliminating the necessity for physical site visits. This is particularly advantageous for organisations managing multiple building campuses and estates, as it minimises vehicle usage and the associated carbon emissions and energy consumption.

The technology also enhances product longevity, reinforcing sustainable practices within organisations. For example, temperature readings from the dashboards may indicate that a light fitting is installed too close to a heat source, which could lead to overheating and premature wear. By identifying such issues early on, operators can make necessary adjustments—be it relocating the fixture or addressing the heat source—helping to prevent damage and extend the fixture’s lifespan. This proactive approach not only reduces maintenance costs but also minimises waste by ensuring products are used to their full potential.

While not directly tied to energy use, another significant advantage of light monitoring dashboards is their function as a central repository for all lighting data and reports. This simplification of reporting procedures means that the status of every lighting device can be monitored from one location, which is invaluable for those responsible for energy management within organisations. Accurate information is readily accessible whenever needed, streamlining the reporting process and enhancing overall efficiency.

Considering that lighting typically accounts for between 20% and 40% of a company’s electricity consumption, the potential impact of technology that supports energy optimisation is substantial. As organisations continue their journey towards net zero, every kilowatt of energy saved counts.

Light monitoring dashboards are a powerful asset for energy managers, enabling them to achieve meaningful reductions in energy use, lower operational costs, and meet ambitious sustainability targets. Unlike traditional methods of managing lighting—such as manual controls and standalone systems—this technology provides real-time data, allowing organisations to make informed decisions that will significantly affect their energy consumption. This, in turn, supports the broader achievement of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets.

As we look forward to a future where sustainability is paramount, innovations like light monitoring dashboards exemplify the kind of technology that will help us navigate the complexities of energy management while driving significant progress towards our net zero goals. By embracing such solutions, we are not only optimising our energy use but also reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable future.

This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. To stay updated on the latest developments in energy management and sustainability, be sure to subscribe!