This article originally featured a video interview with Aniket Malvankar, then Product Manager at Daintree Networks, discussing luminaire-level controls and networked lighting systems. The original embedded video is no longer available.
Daintree Networks was later acquired and its brand subsequently retired. The discussion below reflects the state of the lighting controls market at the time of publication.
Luminaire-Level Controls and Early Smart Lighting
In the original conversation, Daintree outlined its approach to luminaire-level controls (LLC), a then-emerging strategy for improving energy efficiency and operational flexibility in commercial buildings.
Luminaire-level controls allow individual light fixtures to be monitored and managed independently rather than relying solely on centralized lighting systems. This enables:
• Granular energy optimization
• Occupancy-based lighting adjustments
• Daylight harvesting strategies
• Improved data visibility at the fixture level
At the time, networked lighting controls were gaining traction as building owners sought measurable energy savings, improved maintenance insights, and compliance with evolving efficiency standards.
Early Role in Smart Building Integration
The discussion also highlighted how lighting systems were beginning to serve as infrastructure for broader building intelligence, including integration with HVAC systems, occupancy analytics, and enterprise energy management platforms.
Luminaire-level controls were positioned as part of a larger shift toward connected, data-enabled commercial buildings.
From the E+E Leader Archives
This article is part of the Environment+Energy Leader archive and reflects an earlier stage in the evolution of smart building and lighting control technologies.
For current coverage on smart buildings, energy management systems, and connected infrastructure, explore our latest reporting in Smart Cities and Facilities Management.
