SPONSORED ROUNDTABLE | LOW ENERGY LIGHTING LIGHTING THE WAY FOR LOW ENERGY ILLUMINATION Despite the prevalence of LEDs, lighting still makes up a substantial proportion of energy use in buildings. Guests at the latest CIBSE roundtable discussed how operational and embodied energy use could be further reduced by smarter design and a circular approach to components A gainst the backdrop of Londons dazzling skyline, leading experts from the world of lighting gathered at CIBSE Journals latest roundtable to discuss ways to reduce energy use. Tougher legislation, and educating and incentivising clients to choose lower luminance levels were some of the issues explored. The event at the London Shard, sponsored by Tamlite, focused on the importance of lighting for a zero carbon future. It was agreed that, to decarbonise lighting, industry experts need to step up and take responsibility now, to help influence clients and drive change. Andrew Bissell FSLL MCIBSE, partner at Ridge & Partners, began by outlining his involvement with the dark skies concept. This describes places where the night sky is relatively free of interference from artificial light. Historically, dark skies were considered only relevant to national parks, but Bissell said the concept can also be implemented in hotels, offices, airports and other building types. We found that its not just the big developments, such as power stations and highways, that are the problem; its the millions of residential buildings. But the scale of this challenge is different, said Bissell, who is also president of the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL). Lighting on a road can be changed quite easily through legislation, but how do you change domestic lighting? We need to think differently and work together to create a nicer, healthier environment in terms of people being able to sleep with no spill light into windows. We then end up with less energy use and thats a massive part of it. If the light is going where it should, less energy is used. Bissell said that an eco-tourism development in Saudi Arabia is the only client to date who is interested in employing the dark skies concept to a new building. The roundtables participants agreed that one of the most effective ways to encourage clients to employ dark skies in new UK developments would involve the introduction of strict planning conditions. Ruth Kelly Waskett MCIBSE FSLL, senior associate at Hoare Lea and a CIBSE board member, highlighted several challenges facing the lighting profession. The revision of BS EN12464 Lighting of workplaces means that illuminance levels need to be increased for older users who need more light. But this requirement works against the need to reduce energy consumption. 38 November 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Nov 22 pp38-41 Roundtable.indd 38 21/10/2022 16:20