Research Matters: Is it Okay To Dim Your Lights For Load Shedding?

摘要

Reducing the peak demand for electricity through a technique known as load shedding can be an effective method of demand management. This is particularly important when electricity demand approaches the capacity of the power supply system, because utilities must then call upon further away, sometimes smaller, and often more costly and polluting generators to be brought online. Lighting offers an opportunity to temporarily reduce electricity demand without significantly impacting productivity or normal business activities. However, do reduced light levels result in occupant dissatisfaction? Recent studies have looked at how much light levels can be reduced before people notice a change and how well people accept these dimmed light levels.