Redwood Systems, a manufacturer of network-based lighting power and control systems, has officially launched its new lighting system that fuses intelligent control, communications, sensors, and power delivery into a single, networked system, thus helping businesses control lighting to reduce energy costs.
The company claims that the platform, which can operate with both LED technology and traditional fluorescent and halogen technology, can save up to 75% of energy used to light a typical building.
The company’s founders, leveraged their knowledge of computer networking to develop this network-based energy efficiency lighting, which are more flexible than lights on electric wiring, the company added.
Redwood’s approach is to remove the AC-DC driver normally attached to each LED fixture, and centralize this driver function in a larger, integrated engine capable of powering and communicating with up to 64 lights.
The system is connected with standard Category 5 or 6 or other low-voltage wiring, which removes the need for traditional electrical wiring for LED fixtures. Taking advantage of this new wiring approach, the Redwood architecture can be installed at lower costs than traditional power-and-control overlays.
Redwood’s integrated power-and-control platform is comprised of three key products that comprises of the Redwood Engine, which provides centralized power, communications, processing, and policy control for up to 64 LED light fixtures.
It further includes the Redwood Adapter, which profiles and powers the LED fixtures, and includes sensors for light, temperature, power, and occupancy and the Redwood Wall Switch, a dimmer switch that fits into any standard wall box.
The system supports a variety of light fixtures from numerous manufacturers, including Acuity Brands Lighting, Cree LED Lighting, Intense Lighting, Lunera Lighting, GE Lighting, and Philips Lightolier.
Dave Leonard, co-founder and CEO of Redwood Systems, said: ”Redwood has taken a ‘clean-slate’ approach with this architecture. By applying network technology to lighting, we realized that we could solve several of the most difficult challenges in building-systems management at once.
”We provide energy savings — which pay for our system — but we go further by providing true insight into the key ways a commercial space is being used. That insight helps customers make better decisions in all aspects of building operations and management.”