Potential recommendations for illuminance reductions by load-shedding

Abstract

Reducing the peak demand for electricity by load-shedding techniques can be an effective method of demand management. Before such a load-shedding technique is applied to the real world, however, it is important to understand occupants’ illuminance requirements with respect to dimming. To identify occupants’ ability to detect and willingness to accept illuminance reduction, two studies—a bias study and a lower illuminance study—were conducted. In these studies, subjects detected and evaluated acceptance to dimming while the illuminance was changed. The bias study informed subjects about the importance of load-shedding and its potential effect on electricity bills, neighbourhoods, and the environment, in one of two experimental sessions. This study compared acceptance to dimming between the biased responses and the non-biased responses. The lower illuminance study used 300 lux as the initial illuminance, compared to 500 lux in the bias study. The results of these studies provided potential dimming recommendations for load-shedding.