Automated daylight-linked control systems performance with illuminance sensors for side-lit offices in the Mediterranean area

Daylight-linked control systems (DLCSs) installation guarantees noticeable benefits, optimizing both energy saving and occupants' visual comfort. These systems performances are influenced by different factors, above all daylight availability. To deepen this issue, daylight illuminance measurements were performed at the workplane and at the ceiling (corresponding to the position of a typical closed-loop photosensor) in a side-lit office during summer and winter. The office was equipped with two windows: one facing South and the other facing West. For each orientation, starting from measurements, the functioning of different closed-loop DLCSs was modelled. Results underlined that proportional dimming systems guarantee the best performances for each analyzed case, however they demonstrated that, for specific indoor daylight levels and task illuminances, switching systems can be profitable as well. It was underlined that, for specific daylight conditions, integral reset control guarantees performances comparable with those of proportional dimming. However, it was observed that for integral reset and multi-levels stepped systems, the risk that total illuminances (daylight plus electric light) are lower than the prescribed ones is higher than the other analyzed control strategies.