A model for simulation of daylighting and occupancy sensors as an energy control strategy for office buildings

This paper describes a computer simulation model for assessing the potential energy savings in office buildings through the use of daylight and occupancy sensors. Because motion sensors control the lights, special attention is placed on a Monte Carlo approach to establishing lighting schedules for the typical workday. Fixed lighting profiles were shown to generate misleading information regarding electric demand charges and life-cycle costs of the building.
A case-study building containing motion sensors and individual room air conditioners was used to provide essential data for the study and corroborate the model. Illuminance data were measured in daylit and non-daylit spaces of the building in order to validate the energy savings from daylighting that were predicted by the simulation model.