Sustainable: Lighting control systems curb energy costs

Employees leave a room and sensors direct lights to shut off a minute after the last person leaves. Lights above desks near windows dim or go off on sunny days and brighten on cloudy ones. Overhead lighting in conference rooms is programmed to serve a variety of functions.

Advanced lighting control — or network-controlled lighting — represents the next wave of sophistication in illumination, following LEDs and potentially offering as big a bang for the buck.