Energy
Focus: Daylight and Lighting
Contact: Yan Chen chen335@purdue.edu

Objective: To use sunlight more effectively and reduce indoor lighting energy requirements.
 
Introduction: As concern for the sustainability movement has mounted, implementing low-energy infrastructure has become an important concern. Buildings account energy for 48% of the total energy consumption in the United States. (Ref.1) Lighting in turn accounts for 30% of the average building's energy consumption.
 
It is a common experience to enter a fully illuminated room . 
In classroom and dining halls with sufficient natural light, artificial lighting frequently remains on.
Some people close their blinds if the sunshine grows uncomfortably bright, and then turn on their artificial lights when it is too dark.
……
Well, they are all about the energy saving in daylighting & lighting. As you may find it out by yourself, there are more cases.
 
Why not participate in our sub-committee to work on the energy saving in daylighting & lighting sector for sustainable development on campus, in communities? You will learn what efficient daylighting is, and how it can change our daily life.
 
Activities planned for this semester:
Help People Choose the Efficient Lighting Source
-Find data about what percentage of light bulbs used on campus, in surrounding communities, and public buildings are efficient.
-  Calculate how much energy could be saved if all inefficient bulbs were exchanged for efficient bulbs.
-  Write a report suggesting lighting efficiency improvements based upon our study.
 
Efficient Use of Daylight Education:
- Study lighting controls and daylighting design
-  Invite a professor from the Department of Architectural Engineering to lecture on about Lighting & Daylighting.
-  Measure light intensity in classrooms, libraries, other public places using a luxometer. Compare our findings with the brightness standard to find out how many places are over-lighted.
 
Efficient Bulb Installation
-  Apply for grants to hold an “efficient bulb exchange” workshop for providing sustainable daylighting information; and to distribute brochures for personal housing applications.

Activities (planned for future):
Efficient Multi-individual Office Lighting Study
-  Perform a survey about personal office lighting (include employee feelings about lighting use)
-  Analyze the results, and submit a report suggesting ways in which the office lighting can be made more efficient and sustainable.
 
 
Reference:
[1]
http://www.architecture2030.org/current_situation/building_sector.html
 
Useful Links:
Learn About Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
Lighting Design
Buildings Sector Energy Consumption
The LEED View: Sustainable Lighting
Lighting Control & Design Education
THE BUILDING SECTOR Information
Tips for Your Community: How to Save Lighting Energy
Toward a Sustainable Lighting Profession
Sustainable Design-Getting the Green Light
Funding information