New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review

The growing number of daylighting metrics—often overlapping in scope or terminology—combined with the need for prior familiarization to interpret and apply them effectively, has created a barrier to their adoption beyond academic settings. Consequently, this study analyzes a representative set of es...

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Main Authors: Guillermo García-Martín, Miguel Ángel Campano, Ignacio Acosta, Pedro Bustamante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8243
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author Guillermo García-Martín
Miguel Ángel Campano
Ignacio Acosta
Pedro Bustamante
author_facet Guillermo García-Martín
Miguel Ángel Campano
Ignacio Acosta
Pedro Bustamante
author_sort Guillermo García-Martín
collection DOAJ
description The growing number of daylighting metrics—often overlapping in scope or terminology—combined with the need for prior familiarization to interpret and apply them effectively, has created a barrier to their adoption beyond academic settings. Consequently, this study analyzes a representative set of established and emerging daylighting metrics to evaluate applicability, synergies, and limitations. Particular attention is given to their implications for occupant health, well-being, performance, and energy use, especially within the context of sensorless smart control systems. A virtual room model was simulated using DaySim 3.1 in two contrasting climates—Seville and London—with varying window-to-wall ratios, orientations, and occupancy schedules. The results show that no single metric provides a comprehensive daylighting assessment, highlighting the need for combined approaches. Daylighting Autonomy (DA) proved useful for task illumination, while Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) helped identify areas prone to excessive solar exposure. Spatial metrics such as Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE) offer an overview but lack necessary granularity. Circadian Stimulus Autonomy (CSA) appears promising for evaluating circadian entrainment, though its underlying models remain under refinement. Continuous Overcast Daylight Autonomy (DAo.con) shows the potential for sensorless lighting control when adjusted for orientation. A nuanced, multi-metric approach is therefore recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-66e2a747d6bc496599eeea5650cb064b2025-08-20T03:36:35ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011515824310.3390/app15158243New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical ReviewGuillermo García-Martín0Miguel Ángel Campano1Ignacio Acosta2Pedro Bustamante3Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainInstituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainInstituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainInstituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, SpainThe growing number of daylighting metrics—often overlapping in scope or terminology—combined with the need for prior familiarization to interpret and apply them effectively, has created a barrier to their adoption beyond academic settings. Consequently, this study analyzes a representative set of established and emerging daylighting metrics to evaluate applicability, synergies, and limitations. Particular attention is given to their implications for occupant health, well-being, performance, and energy use, especially within the context of sensorless smart control systems. A virtual room model was simulated using DaySim 3.1 in two contrasting climates—Seville and London—with varying window-to-wall ratios, orientations, and occupancy schedules. The results show that no single metric provides a comprehensive daylighting assessment, highlighting the need for combined approaches. Daylighting Autonomy (DA) proved useful for task illumination, while Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) helped identify areas prone to excessive solar exposure. Spatial metrics such as Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE) offer an overview but lack necessary granularity. Circadian Stimulus Autonomy (CSA) appears promising for evaluating circadian entrainment, though its underlying models remain under refinement. Continuous Overcast Daylight Autonomy (DAo.con) shows the potential for sensorless lighting control when adjusted for orientation. A nuanced, multi-metric approach is therefore recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8243daylight metricsustainable building designlighting control systemsCircadian Stimulus Autonomyhealthy architecture
spellingShingle Guillermo García-Martín
Miguel Ángel Campano
Ignacio Acosta
Pedro Bustamante
New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
Applied Sciences
daylight metric
sustainable building design
lighting control systems
Circadian Stimulus Autonomy
healthy architecture
title New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
title_full New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
title_fullStr New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
title_full_unstemmed New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
title_short New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
title_sort new approaches in dynamic metrics for lighting control systems a critical review
topic daylight metric
sustainable building design
lighting control systems
Circadian Stimulus Autonomy
healthy architecture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/15/8243
work_keys_str_mv AT guillermogarciamartin newapproachesindynamicmetricsforlightingcontrolsystemsacriticalreview
AT miguelangelcampano newapproachesindynamicmetricsforlightingcontrolsystemsacriticalreview
AT ignacioacosta newapproachesindynamicmetricsforlightingcontrolsystemsacriticalreview
AT pedrobustamante newapproachesindynamicmetricsforlightingcontrolsystemsacriticalreview