There is growing awareness that connected solid-state lighting systems may become an IoT backbone, or even the IoT backbone. This vision is bolstered by three key factors: SSL’s microelectronic nature, which readily facilitates the integration of network interfaces and sensors; the growing integration of SSL devices into the built environment; and the fact that lighting is ubiquitous infrastructure that can be found pretty much everywhere people congregate.

In November 2015, top experts in the lighting, semiconductor, and IT industries convened in Portland, OR, to start a cross-cutting dialogue on how best to take advantage of the imminent intersection between lighting systems and the fast emerging IoT. Collaboration is essential if the full promise of connected lighting systems is to be realized. 

DOE’s Connected Lighting Systems Workshop in June will expand on those discussions to take a closer look at key barriers and issues, and facilitate technical discussions on potential paths forward. The workshop will begin with two pre-workshop sessions — Network Communications Fundamentals and Cybersecurity Fundamentals — for those new to this topic area. The heart of the workshop will examine:

• Lessons learned from game-changing installations of connected lighting systems

• How test beds can identify and accelerate needed improvements

• What technologies can reduce system configuration complexity

• Why application-level interoperability holds the key to broad deployment

• How energy reporting can accelerate connected lighting system development

• How the IoT should be architected to deliver upon its potential

Join DOE and industry thought leaders to share insights and forge a path toward a new lighting paradigm and deeper energy savings.