Sustainability

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2 pages, 150 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Sustainability as the Key Framework of a Total Lighting

by Antonio Peña-García

Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4412; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124412 - 26 Nov 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1995

Abstract

Science and technology progress with remarkable velocity. [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

16 pages, 6101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Study of the Levels of Street Lighting Using Aerial Imagery and Energy Efficiency Calculation

by Ovidio Rabaza, Evaristo Molero-Mesa, Fernando Aznar-Dols and Daniel Gómez-Lorente

Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4365; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124365 - 23 Nov 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4049

Abstract

This article describes an innovative method for measuring lighting levels and other lighting parameters through the use of aerial imagery of towns and cities. Combined with electricity consumption data from smart electricity meters, it was possible to measure the energy efficiency of public [...] Read more.

This article describes an innovative method for measuring lighting levels and other lighting parameters through the use of aerial imagery of towns and cities. Combined with electricity consumption data from smart electricity meters, it was possible to measure the energy efficiency of public lighting installations. The results of this study also confirmed that lighting measurements, installation material, luminaire position, and electricity consumption data can be easily integrated into geographic information systems (GIS). The main advantage of this new methodology is that it provides information about lighting installations in large areas in less time than more conventional procedures. It is thus a more effective way of obtaining the data required to calculate the energy efficiency of lighting levels and electricity consumption. There is even the possibility of generating street lighting maps that provide local administrations with up-to-date information regarding the status of public lighting installations in their city. In this way, modifications or improvements can be made to achieve greater energy savings and, if necessary, to correct the distribution or configuration of public lighting systems to make them more efficient and sustainable. This research studied levels of street lighting and calculated the energy efficiency in various streets of Deifontes (Granada), through the use of aerial imagery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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18 pages, 2124 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Lighting Systems and Road Pavements in an Italian Twin-Tube Road Tunnel

by Giuseppe Cantisani, Paola Di Mascio and Laura Moretti

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4165; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114165 - 12 Nov 2018

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4115

Abstract

This work calculates and discusses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four scenarios composed of two types of road pavements and two types of lighting systems to be built in an Italian twin-tube road tunnel. A 20-year time horizon is adopted to assess [...] Read more.

This work calculates and discusses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four scenarios composed of two types of road pavements and two types of lighting systems to be built in an Italian twin-tube road tunnel. A 20-year time horizon is adopted to assess the burdens of construction and maintenance of both flexible and rigid pavements and high-pressure sodium (HPS) and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps, traffic, and switching on of lamps. All considered scenarios are comparable with each other in terms of technical performances, but significantly differ regarding their environmental consequences. The geometrical and technical characteristics of the examined scenarios comply with current Italian standards for highways. In all the examined cases, LCA is carried out according to the European standard, EN 15804, and includes 19 impact categories (IC). The analysis demonstrates that the use of more reflecting surface pavement materials (i.e., concrete vs. asphalt) and more performing lighting systems (i.e., LED vs. HPS) can effectively mitigate the deleterious burdens related to road construction, maintenance, and use. For most of the examined ICs, the most environment-friendly scenario has LED lamps and concrete pavement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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22 pages, 4581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility Study and Impact of Daylight on Illumination Control for Energy-Saving Lighting Systems

by Sulee Bunjongjit and Atthapol Ngaopitakkul

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4075; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114075 - 7 Nov 2018

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 5567

Abstract

The main goal of energy conservation should be reducing the consumption of energy resources. Due to energy and environmental concerns in recent years, to reduce energy consumption in a lighting system, which has been one of the prime targets of energy saving, daylighting [...] Read more.

The main goal of energy conservation should be reducing the consumption of energy resources. Due to energy and environmental concerns in recent years, to reduce energy consumption in a lighting system, which has been one of the prime targets of energy saving, daylighting has been investigated and has become one of the energy-efficiency techniques widely applied in buildings. This paper presents an analysis of T5 fluorescent luminaire lighting control using daylight in a building. The study is conducted in two parts; simulation of a lecture room using the daylighting function of the DIALux program is performed to estimate the effect of daylighting on a task area (workplane). Another part is an experimental setup to evaluate the performance of a lighting control unit that is installed for a T5 fluorescent luminaire with a dimmable electronic ballast. The efficiency of the lighting control in term of illumination on the task area and energy consumption are also evaluated and compared with the standard case. The simulation results show that daylighting increases illuminance on a task area, especially on the window side, so the lighting system can significantly reduce its power consumption compared with a standard case (without lighting control). The experimental result shows that upon installing the lighting control with daylighting, both the average illuminance and the energy consumption in each time period are decreased compared with in the standard case. Lighting control with daylighting tries to set the average illuminance on a task area to less than 500 lux, corresponding to the amount of daylight passing through window shutters. The obtained results are useful for the design of a T5 fluorescent luminaire with lighting control using daylighting in a building lighting system for energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, including the average illuminance on the task area, according to a relevant standard. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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14 pages, 2324 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Viability of Street Light Programming Using Commutation Cycles in the Power Line

by Antonio Ocana-Miguel, Jose Ramon Andres-Diaz, Manuel Jesús Hermoso-Orzáez and Alfonso Gago-Calderón

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4043; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114043 - 5 Nov 2018

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3645

Abstract

Nowadays, control systems for lighting installations are used, among other functionality, to improve energy efficiency and to set different lighting outputs of the luminaires according to punctual requirements. This allows increasing energy efficiency by adapting the installation to environmental needs. Current control systems [...] Read more.

Nowadays, control systems for lighting installations are used, among other functionality, to improve energy efficiency and to set different lighting outputs of the luminaires according to punctual requirements. This allows increasing energy efficiency by adapting the installation to environmental needs. Current control systems are mainly oriented to point-2-point architectures, which in most cases, are complex and expensive. As an alternative, we present the viability analysis of a sustainable control architecture for lighting installations to improve those drawbacks. This control system uses a communication technique based on controlled power-on/off sequences in the power line of the luminaires to configure different dimming profile schedules. An implementation for LED equipment with the design of an electronic CPU based on a microcontroller is described along with a study of its configuration capability. In addition, we present the set of results obtained using this system in a real outdoor public lighting installation. Furthermore, an economic amortization study of power line communication (PLC) or radio frequency (RF) control architectures versus the results of this proposal are detailed. The analysis presents the proposal as a simple but more robust and sustainable solution compared to current point-2-point systems used with streetlights: The return on investment (ROI) period is reduced allowing all the basic functionality expected—in—field output light dimming profiles selection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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27 pages, 16862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Let There Be Light! Investigating Vernacular Daylighting in Moroccan Heritage Hammams for Rehabilitation, Benchmarking and Energy Saving

by Magda Sibley

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 3984; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113984 - 31 Oct 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5553

Abstract

This paper provides the first study of vernacular daylighting provision in Moroccan heritage public bathhouses in order to rehabilitate it for experiential authenticity, energy saving and improved users’ well-being. The analysis of a representative sample of 13 still working hammams reveals recurrent patterns [...] Read more.

This paper provides the first study of vernacular daylighting provision in Moroccan heritage public bathhouses in order to rehabilitate it for experiential authenticity, energy saving and improved users’ well-being. The analysis of a representative sample of 13 still working hammams reveals recurrent patterns of oculi numbers and configurations. These consist of one to three rows of eight circular roof openings (oculi) of 18 to 20 cm diameter, arranged along the roof vault of each bathing space. The ratio of total roof openings’ area to internal floor area rarely exceeds 2%. Synchronised measurements of horizontal illuminance on the roof and inside the bathing spaces in a case study hammam were conducted in July and August 2016, after rehabilitating all roof oculi. Recorded levels indicated that maximum horizontal illuminance never exceeds 60 lx. The calculation and plotting of daylight factor based on real data reveal levels under 2% and a sudden decline in the hot room early afternoon due to steam accumulation. The paper provides the first benchmark of vernacular daylight rehabilitation in Moroccan heritage hammams and the illuminance it affords. It introduces an innovative combination of historical, architectural and building science methodologies that can be extended to other heritage building types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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11 pages, 432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Roadway Lighting Retrofit: Environmental and Economic Impact of Greenhouse Gases Footprint Reduction

by Adam Sȩdziwy, Artur Basiura and Igor Wojnicki

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 3925; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113925 - 29 Oct 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3209

Abstract

Roadway lighting retrofit is a process continuously developed in urban environments due to both installation aging and technical upgrades. The spectacular example is replacing the high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, usually high pressure sodium (HPS) ones, with the sources based on light-emitting diodes [...] Read more.

Roadway lighting retrofit is a process continuously developed in urban environments due to both installation aging and technical upgrades. The spectacular example is replacing the high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, usually high pressure sodium (HPS) ones, with the sources based on light-emitting diodes (LED). The main focus in the related research was put on energy efficiency of installations and corresponding financial benefits. In this work, we extend those considerations analyzing how lighting optimization impacts greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and what are the resultant financial benefits expressed in terms of emission allowances prices. Our goal is twofold: (i) obtaining a quantitative assessment of how a GHG footprint depends on a technological scope of modernization of a city HPS-based lighting system; and (ii) showing that the costs of such a modernization can be decreased by up to 10% thanks to a lowered CO

_{2}

emission volume. Moreover, we identify retrofit patterns yielding the most substantial environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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18 pages, 2554 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Graph-Based Spatial Data Processing and Analysis for More Efficient Road Lighting Design

by Sebastian Ernst, Marek Łabuz, Kamila Środa and Leszek Kotulski

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 3850; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113850 - 24 Oct 2018

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3863

Abstract

The efficiency and affordability of modern street lighting equipment are improving quickly, but systems used to manage and design lighting installations seem to lag behind. One of their problems is the lack of consistent methods to integrate all relevant data. Tools used to [...] Read more.

The efficiency and affordability of modern street lighting equipment are improving quickly, but systems used to manage and design lighting installations seem to lag behind. One of their problems is the lack of consistent methods to integrate all relevant data. Tools used to manage lighting infrastructure are not aware of the geographic characteristics of the lit areas, and photometric calculation software requires a lot of manual editing by the designer, who needs to assess the characteristics of roads, define the segments, and assign the lighting classes according to standards. In this paper, we propose a graph-based method to integrate geospatial data from various sources to support the process of data preparation for photometric calculations. The method uses graph transformations to define segments and assign lighting classes. A prototype system was developed to conduct experiments using real-world data. The proposed approach is compared to results obtained by professional designers in a case study; the method was also applied to several European cities to assess its efficiency. The obtained results are much more fine-grained than those yielded by the traditional approach; as a result, the lighting is more adequate, especially when used in conjunction with automated optimisation tools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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14 pages, 2286 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Circular Economy Aspects Regarding LED Lighting Retrofit—from Case Studies to Vision

by Dorin Beu, Calin Ciugudeanu and Mircea Buzdugan

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3674; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103674 - 14 Oct 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6432

Abstract

The lighting industry is still a linear economy, despite the extensive use of light-emitting diode (LED) and the ban of incandescent/halogen lamps, claiming to be greener and more human centered. Light-emitting diode has changed radically the whole lighting industry with an increased luminaire [...] Read more.

The lighting industry is still a linear economy, despite the extensive use of light-emitting diode (LED) and the ban of incandescent/halogen lamps, claiming to be greener and more human centered. Light-emitting diode has changed radically the whole lighting industry with an increased luminaire efficacy more than four times higher compared with fluorescent lamps and their new opportunities for modern control systems. In the years to come, millions of fluorescent luminaires will become waste and will be replaced by LED luminaires. According to the Cost European Cooperation in Science & Technology Program the next step will be from sustainability to regenerative (enabling social and ecological systems to maintain a healthy state and to evolve) and to get there, circular economy is essential. In order to reduce even further the carbon footprint, the retrofit of existing luminaires and additional modern control systems should be the solution. Circular economy aspects for the lighting area were identified using the university adopted lighting retrofit solutions as case studies. For an LED retrofitted recessed luminaire 4 × T8 18 W studies showed a major installed power reduction, a good lighting distribution, but also revealed some problems: the retrofit luminaire has no certification, necessity of qualified personnel, high labor costs, etc. A major issue is the fact that luminaire design did not take into consideration circular economy aspects like the possibility of future retrofit solutions. It is important that from now on a different approach should be foreseen for the LED luminaire design. There is a section about vision, which plays an important role in preparing new luminaire generations with circular economy in mind. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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20 pages, 3343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparative Analysis of the Visual Comfort Performance between a PCM Glazing and a Conventional Selective Double Glazed Unit

by Luigi Giovannini, Francesco Goia, Valerio R. M. Lo Verso and Valentina Serra

Sustainability 2018, 10(10), 3579; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103579 - 8 Oct 2018

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3911

Abstract

The performance of a Double Glazing Unit (DGU) with a Phase Change Material (PCM) layer embedded in the cavity was analyzed in terms of the visual comfort perceived by the occupants. The analysis was carried out through a set of simulations, performed by [...] Read more.

The performance of a Double Glazing Unit (DGU) with a Phase Change Material (PCM) layer embedded in the cavity was analyzed in terms of the visual comfort perceived by the occupants. The analysis was carried out through a set of simulations, performed by the Radiance engine managed through Honeybee. As an input for the simulations, the visible transmittance T_v of PCM in solid (diffusing) state was used, based on previous laboratory measurements. The simulations were run for several specific times of the year: The two solstices and the autumn equinox, for different hours during the day. Other variables investigated were the site (Östersund, 63.2° N; Turin, 45.2° N; Abu Dhabi, 24.4° N), the room orientation (south; west), and the sky conditions (clear sky with sun; overcast). For comparative purpose, the simulations were repeated for the same boundary conditions in a room equipped with a selective glazing, with a T_v of 0.5. For each case, the visual comfort perceived by the occupants has been analyzed in terms of Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) in two different points in the room and of “Spatial Useful Illuminance” (percent of work plane points where the illuminance lies in the range 100–3000 lx). The results showed that the glazed package with PCM in most cases admits more daylight into the room, resulting into an increased glare (DGP values), but also in lower Spatial Useful Illuminance values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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23 pages, 23107 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Lighting Features in Historical Buildings: Scientific Analysis of the Church of Saint Louis of the Frenchmen in Sevilla

by Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo, Joseph-Maria Cabeza-Lainez and Inmaculada Rodriguez-Cunill

Sustainability 2018, 10(9), 3352; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093352 - 19 Sep 2018

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6008

Abstract

Heritage issues have increased significantly in recent years. However, they tend to remain in the cultural sphere and are often resistant to scientific analyses. If we have to deal with the contradictory matter of sustainability in design for ancient buildings, such hindrances appear [...] Read more.

Heritage issues have increased significantly in recent years. However, they tend to remain in the cultural sphere and are often resistant to scientific analyses. If we have to deal with the contradictory matter of sustainability in design for ancient buildings, such hindrances appear frequently. A crucial aspect in Architecture has always been its capacity to dispose internal spaces and apertures in a manner that enhances the balance of light and thus provides attuned perception and well-being. Poor performance in that respect raised objections against the prestige of admirable works and famed artists. If we reject the absurd idea of accurately reproducing identical buildings in the same place repeatedly, how are we supposed to benefit from the said knowledge without the help of any objective design tools? It is easy to agree that at least we would need some scientific support to transmit such proper effects. Aware of the former notions, authors have developed a novel simulation software called DianaX, which is based on mathematical models and equations produced and expanded by Joseph Cabeza-Laïnez, from roughly 1990 to 2018. This non-commercial software deals with radiative exchanges in all kinds of surfaces (for instance domes, vaults, cylinders, hyperboloids and curves in general). It also includes direct sun in the simulations unlike most programs. Therefore, it is ideally suited for the analysis of heritage architecture and especially that which identifies with the Renaissance, baroque and neoclassical epochs. The case of temples from the baroque period resumes the conflict expressed in the first paragraph and the Jesuit Church of Saint Louis (1699–1731) is one of the most relevant examples of efficient illumination found in Mediterranean latitudes, having been recently restored. In this article, we would like to discuss the subtle and interesting implications of employing our simulation software for lighting in such a complex baroque temple. The methodology would be to identify the main energy sources within the church in order to construct a suitable model for simulation. Subsequently we apply the said software DianaX to such model and establish the most significant results trying to compare them with available on-site measurements. Finally, a strategy to enhance day-lighting and supplement it with other light sources in the church is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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17 pages, 2877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparisons of Different Lighting Systems for Horticultural Seedling Production Aimed at Energy Saving

by Pedro Garcia-Caparros, Rosa María Chica, Eva María Almansa, Antonio Rull, Lara Alicia Rivas, Antonio García-Buendía, Francisco Javier Barbero and María Teresa Lao

Sustainability 2018, 10(9), 3351; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10093351 - 19 Sep 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

Nowadays, the evaluation of sustainability is an important aspect in the study of agricultural systems and the number of projects and methods for impact assessment of food production systems is increasing. In this work, we initially carried out a survey to know the [...] Read more.

Nowadays, the evaluation of sustainability is an important aspect in the study of agricultural systems and the number of projects and methods for impact assessment of food production systems is increasing. In this work, we initially carried out a survey to know the status of the artificial lighting establishment in horticultural seedling nurseries in southern Spain. Taking into account the data obtained in the survey, we conducted an experiment with different types of fluorescent lamps (TLD-18, CF, TL5, TLD-56), light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and their combinations along with the novelty white LEDs lamps and XTRASUN LEDs to evaluate their technical parameters and spectral light qualities. In addition, the effectiveness of light irradiance (ELI_plant) and the use of irradiance (UI) by cucumber and tomato seedling plants were estimated considering their light absorbance capacity previously analyzed. The results showed that TLD-18 lamps and their combinations, CF and XTRASUN LEDs, had a limited value of energy efficiency (VEEI) ≤ 2. The lamps essayed with the lowest total irradiance were LEDs (B, R, V, W) and the ones with the highest values were TLD58-6 lamps. The effectiveness of light irradiance (ELI_plant) and the UI were slightly higher in the case of cucumber than that of the tomato for all essayed lamps. Considering the effectiveness of the light irradiance (ELI_plant), TL5-6 lamps showed the highest values. On the other hand, considering the use of irradiance, XTRASUN LEDs on the mode of vegetative growth (VG) showed the highest values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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19 pages, 8845 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Climate Based Daylight Modelling to the Refurbishment of a School Building in Sicily

by Vincenzo Costanzo, Gianpiero Evola, Luigi Marletta and Fabiana Pistone Nascone

Sustainability 2018, 10(8), 2653; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082653 - 28 Jul 2018

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 3890

Abstract

This paper aims at promoting the use of Climate Based Daylight Modelling (CBDM) and related state-of-the-art metrics by discussing a range of design options to improve daylight fruition in rooms with different orientation, shape, function, and furniture of an elementary school that is [...] Read more.

This paper aims at promoting the use of Climate Based Daylight Modelling (CBDM) and related state-of-the-art metrics by discussing a range of design options to improve daylight fruition in rooms with different orientation, shape, function, and furniture of an elementary school that is located in the Mediterranean climate of Agira (Italy). The local climatic conditions, with clear skies for most of the year, require the integration of different shading and re-directing systems with the existing envelope and rooms’ layout. Results show that the dynamic modelling is a powerful and ‘creative’ tool in the designer’s hands, which helps to inform about the choice of the most appropriate technological solutions and on their architectural integration. Comparison with mostly used static daylight metrics, such as the average Daylight Factor (aDF) and the Uniformity Ratio (UR), reveals a contrast with what would be suggested if considering these metrics alone, as prescribed by the Italian legislation. These outcomes rebate the need of performing more accurate and dynamic daylight simulations using recorded (i.e., varying) rather than fixed sky conditions to correctly inform the design process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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17 pages, 4349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lighting Design for Energy Sustainability, Information, and Perception. A Museum Environment as a Case Study

by Carla Balocco and Giulia Volante

Sustainability 2018, 10(5), 1671; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10051671 - 21 May 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 7755

Abstract

The aim of our research is to investigate the physical connection between light, perception, and information by means of an integrated methodological approach. The proposed method was used for sustainable lighting design aiming at light efficacy and quality, visual perception, communication, and energy [...] Read more.

The aim of our research is to investigate the physical connection between light, perception, and information by means of an integrated methodological approach. The proposed method was used for sustainable lighting design aiming at light efficacy and quality, visual perception, communication, and energy saving. Three types of synergic measurement were carried out: photometric, colourimetric, and perception measurements. Starting from the results and the post-processing of photometric and colourimetric measurements on different light sources and fresco surfaces, by applying the eye-tracking technique for eye movement analysis of a people sample, entropy calculations were carried out. The results of observer perception and preferences, patterns of their visual scanning due to different LED (Light Emitting Diode) sources, were quantified by means of Shannon entropy calculation and, consequently, the information content of images that each light source can transmit. A new lighting proposal, based on the use of LED sources characterized by a spectral emission of light in strong compliance with surface colour and relevant transmission image content information was suggested and checked by transient simulations. Our proposal was based on sustainability because this concept is linked to developing perception and visual wellbeing, information, light communication, and lower energy consumption for maintenance, but especially for preventive conservation and the protection of works of art by means quality of light. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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16 pages, 3977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation and Improvement of Lighting Efficiency in Working Spaces

by Ana Castillo-Martinez, Jose-Amelio Medina-Merodio, Jose-Maria Gutierrez-Martinez, Juan Aguado-Delgado, Carmen De-Pablos-Heredero and Salvador Otón

Sustainability 2018, 10(4), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041110 - 8 Apr 2018

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5953

Abstract

Lighting is an essential element for modern life, promoting a sense of wellbeing for users. However, bad illumination may produce health problems such as headaches and fatigue, among other vision problems. For that reason, this paper proposes the development of a smartphone-based application [...] Read more.

Lighting is an essential element for modern life, promoting a sense of wellbeing for users. However, bad illumination may produce health problems such as headaches and fatigue, among other vision problems. For that reason, this paper proposes the development of a smartphone-based application to help in lighting evaluation to guarantee the compliance of illumination regulations and to help increase illuminance efficiency, reducing its energy consumption. To perform this evaluation, the smartphone can be used as a lighting measurement tool, evaluating those measurements through an intelligent agent based in rules capable of guiding the decision-making process. As a result, this tool allows the evaluation of the real working environment to guarantee lighting requirements, helping in the prevention of health problems derived from bad illumination and improving the lighting efficiency at the same time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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11 pages, 1671 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Reality of Light Pollution: A Field Survey for the Determination of Lighting Environmental Management Zones in South Korea

by Hong Soo Lim, Jack Ngarambe, Jeong Tai Kim and Gon Kim

Sustainability 2018, 10(2), 374; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10020374 - 31 Jan 2018

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 9876

Abstract

Light pollution has been receiving increased attention worldwide. Scientific research has provided convincing evidence that ties artificial lighting to health-related issues. Consequently, the involved parties are now leaned towards the implementation of regulations to help limit the use of artificial lighting. Many countries, [...] Read more.

Light pollution has been receiving increased attention worldwide. Scientific research has provided convincing evidence that ties artificial lighting to health-related issues. Consequently, the involved parties are now leaned towards the implementation of regulations to help limit the use of artificial lighting. Many countries, together with international organizations, have embarked on setting standards and regulations aimed at halting the excessive and improper usage of artificial lighting, there-by eradicating light pollution and its effects. In Korea, outdoor lighting at night is a common phenomenon. Moreover, as the economic development grows even further, the use of artificial lighting is expected to increase making Korea vulnerable to the adverse effects of artificial lighting. In this study, we discuss the issue of light pollution based on field measurements conducted in Seoul, South Korea. The measurements were undertaken to broaden the understanding and assessment of light pollution. During the investigation, we noted that the most severe forms of light pollution were found in developed urban and densely commercialized areas. Currently, there are ongoing light pollution measurement projects around the entire Korea. It would be informative to see how the rest of South Korea compares to the Capital, Seoul in terms of light pollution levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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Review

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19 pages, 1695 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Compatibility between Crops and Solar Panels: An Overview from Shading Systems

by Raúl Aroca-Delgado, José Pérez-Alonso, Ángel Jesús Callejón-Ferre and Borja Velázquez-Martí

Sustainability 2018, 10(3), 743; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030743 - 8 Mar 2018

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 9584

Abstract

The use of alternative energy in agricultural production is desired by many researchers, especially for protected crops that are grown in greenhouses with photovoltaic panels on the roofs. These panels allow for the passage of varying levels of sunlight according to the needs [...] Read more.

The use of alternative energy in agricultural production is desired by many researchers, especially for protected crops that are grown in greenhouses with photovoltaic panels on the roofs. These panels allow for the passage of varying levels of sunlight according to the needs of each type of crop. In this way, sustainable and more economic energy can be generated than that offered by fossil fuels. The objective of this work is to review the literature regarding the applications of selective shading systems with crops, highlighting the use of photovoltaic panels. In this work, shading systems have been classified as bleaching, mesh, screens, and photovoltaic modules. The search was conducted using Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus until February 2018. In total, 113 articles from scientific journals and related conferences were selected. The most important authors of this topic are “Yano A” and “Abdel-Ghany AM”, and regarding the number of documents cited, the most important journal is Biosystems Engineering. The year 2017 had the most publications, with a total of 20, followed by 2015 with 14. The use of shading systems, especially of photovoltaic panels, requires more crop-specific research to determine the optimum percentage of panels that does not reduce agricultural production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Lighting and Energy Saving)

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