March 5, 2025 — The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²), a $55-million technology program funded by Wells Fargo & Company and co-administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), announced the recipients of a pool of $750,000 in pilot funding as part of its inaugural Scalable Tech Track. The awards aim to address demand-side barriers to energy technology adoption by supporting large-scale, high-impact pilots across industries and sectors.

The Scalable Tech program awarded funding to five organizations for pilots of innovative energy technologies with expert support from NREL researchers. The projects include retrofitting HVAC systems, improving school air quality and energy use, optimizing data center cooling, and modernizing aging building infrastructure.

The projects selected for this inaugural cohort embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation. By integrating an ecosystem approach with scalable drop-in solutions, these pilots aim to demonstrate how energy technologies can address pressing resiliency and infrastructure challenges while establishing replicable pathways for widespread impact.

Sarah Derdowski, IN² program manager at NREL

Awarded Pilots:

• CBRE received $150,000 to install and test Blue Frontier*’s rooftop HVAC system on a Delaware property. NREL researchers, including the scientist behind the liquid desiccant technology, will closely monitor the project.
• Coconino County secured $55,000 to implement Rensair’s air quality solutions and Komfort’s low-energy lighting at Ponderosa High School in Flagstaff, Arizona.
• Digital Realty will use $125,000 to partner with Hayzel for data center chilling improvements in Santa Clara, California.
• Galvanize Real Estate received $200,000 to work with EnKoat* and Alpen High-Performance Products on a building retrofit in Pedricktown, New Jersey.
• The University of Colorado Boulder will implement INOVUES’ advanced window technology in aging campus buildings with $220,000 in funding.

*Denotes graduates of previous IN² cohorts.

Pilots launched in early 2025 and will conclude within six months, demonstrating the program’s focus on rapid results and actionable insights to advance adoption. By targeting scalable energy solutions for the built environment, IN² equips participants with resources, peer collaboration, and third-party validation.

A panel of judges chose organizations based on their feasibility, impact, pilot readiness and dedication to knowledge sharing. Each project aims to drive meaningful progress toward energy solutions while fostering broader adoption of innovative technologies.

Effective adoption of energy innovation requires scalability. These pilot projects represent a critical step in bridging the gap between promising advanced, and often cost-saving, technologies and widespread adoption. By connecting these industry leaders with resources and expertise, we’re helping them be successful as they pursue their energy and resiliency needs.

Jeffrey Schub, head of sustainability at Wells Fargo

Organizations that were not selected for pilot funding have also gained significant value through their participation in IN². Several have initiated independent collaborations with NREL, leveraging its expertise to advance their innovative energy solutions. In addition, these organizations are developing white papers, case studies, and other resources to share insights and encourage broader adoption of advanced technologies. These activities reflect the program’s ability to drive impact beyond the funded pilots, fostering progress across the energy ecosystem.

The success of the 2024 cohort has paved the way for a second round of the Scalable Tech Track, anticipated to launch applications in late 2025.

The post Energy technologies targeting demand-side barriers to adoption get a boost under Wells Fargo / NREL program appeared first on FMLink.

Jordi Muñoz, director of Design at Urbidermis, stated:

Louis reflects our deep commitment to designing lighting solutions that seamlessly integrate into the urban landscape while providing both aesthetic and functional value. With Louis, we sought to create an unobtrusive yet expressive luminaire — one that enhances public spaces while remaining true to our design ethos of adaptability, sustainability and respect for the built environment.

Louis is distinguished by its gently arched aluminum housing, a design choice that softens its rectilinear form while subtly concealing the catenary attachment points. This thoughtful detail reinforces Louis’s connection to the elemental geometries that define modernist design. Suspended over pathways, plazas, and pedestrian corridors, Louis provides precise illumination while contributing to the visual identity and emotional atmosphere of urban space.

Jordan Agustin, president of Lighting at Landscape Forms, explained:

With Louis, we saw an opportunity to elevate urban lighting — both in form and function. The luminaire’s linear design and catenary suspension allow it to define space without intrusion, offering a guiding presence while preserving the openness of the environment.

Designed to enhance “slow-velocity spaces” such as plazas, parks, and recreational areas, Louis establishes unobstructed planes of illumination that encourage social interaction and public engagement. Its linear profile is particularly effective when installed in sequence, providing rhythmic wayfinding guidance along pedestrian thoroughfares and city streets.

Muñoz from Urbidermis added:

Louis took shape with a clear purpose in mind—to bring light while gently weaving itself into the fabric of the landscape. Louis’s refined, minimal aesthetic is matched by its performance, delivering high-quality, full-cutoff illumination that enhances public space while respecting the natural rhythms of the urban nightscape.

Louis aligns on two foundational design principles important to Urbidermis, nature and technology. Ensuring technology is integrated to enhance the quality of life, while respecting the environment and making a positive impact, is one part of this principle. Collaborating in the design of outdoor space that preserves core green infrastructure, while adapting urban elements to this new environment, is another. The design of Louis prioritizes both efficiency and environmental responsibility, reflecting the dedication of Landscape Forms and Urbidermis in the creation of sustainable, high-performance lighting solutions.

Additional specifications and images of Louis are available at Landscape Forms.

The post Need lighting for public spaces? Modernist inspiration meets urban versatility in Louis by Landscape Forms appeared first on FMLink.

The prestigious competition highlights the most innovative and visually compelling projects from designers, architects and custom installers from across the United States, all showcasing the creative use of DMF Lighting products.

Judges assessed the entries based on innovation, aesthetic integration and the creative use of DMF Lighting products, while identifying the designs that best push the boundaries of lighting and architecture.

Founder and President of DMF Lighting Mark Danesh stated:

We are thrilled to celebrate the extraordinary talent and innovation in this year’s submissions. These projects demonstrate how lighting can transform spaces and elevate design.

Commercial DMF Design Awards 2025 winners and prizes include:

• Second Place: AIA|LA + ACLA Center for Communities, Los Angeles, California, designed by Clay Holden, Clay Holden Architects. The lighting design was done by HLB Lighting Design and the MEPT Engineer on the project was Introba. Clay Holden Architects received a $5,000 cash prize.

• Third Place: Potawatomi Casino, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, designed by Teresa Haas, Ring & DuChateau. The firm received a $2,500 cash prize.

The winning projects will be featured on DMF Lighting’s website, social media platforms and in upcoming case studies to inspire the design community. Winners were featured at LEDucation in New York City and may be viewed at DMF Lighting Design Awards.

This year’s entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of industry leaders, including:

• Mark Danesh, founder and president, DMF Lighting
• Christine Vroom, principal interior designer and founder, Christine Vroom Interiors
• Simone Lapenta, design director and director of Visualization, RIOS Architecture
• Brian Busch, director of Pre-construction, Rosendin Electric

The DMF Lighting Design Awards will continue to celebrate and support design excellence, offering a platform for professionals to gain national recognition for their work. Stay tuned for details on next year’s awards at DMF Lighting.

The post DMF Lighting Design Awards 2025 celebrate outstanding designers and projects incorporating DMF products appeared first on FMLink.

According to the Appliance Standards Awareness Project’s (ASAP) Clean Lighting site, “In 2022, Vermont and California became the first states to phase out the sale of most fluorescent bulbs. In 2023, Hawaii, Oregon, Colorado, Maine, and Rhode Island adopted similar policies. In 2024, Washington, Minnesota, and Illinois became the eighth, ninth, and tenth states to adopt clean lighting legislation.”

Of note, January 1, 2025, is the phase-out date for pin-base CFL and linear fluorescent lamps in California, Colorado, Oregon and Rhode Island, and is also the phase-out date for screw-base CFL lamps in Colorado, Hawaii and Minnesota (see ASAP chart below).

As Sean Cash of emergency lighting provider Bodine related to FMLink:

Anecdotally, we are hearing it’s a pain point for facilities as they are forced to move to LED.  From the emergency lighting perspective, facilities that were running old fluorescent emergency ballasts are now forced to find something new.  This isn’t always easy, especially if the person involved isn’t up to date on TLED lamp technologies AND emergency ballasts / EM inverters / EM LED drivers.

Fluorescent lighting regulation and transition resources

FMLink editors have compiled a few resources below to help you determine the regulations in the state or states in which your organization operates, navigate the switch to LED lighting, and obtain any available rebates and incentives before they expire.

“Farewell to Fluorescent Lighting: How a Phaseout Can Cut Mercury Pollution, Protect the Climate, and Save Money,” a research report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) (March 2022), advocates for government policies that intend to limit mercury to no longer exempt fluorescent lighting, explaining that drop-in mercury-free LED replacements for linear and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are now widely available and provide the same or better lighting, longer product life and much lower total cost than fluorescents.

“Clean Lighting: Shining a Light on Clean Lighting Standards” from the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) explains the benefits of replacing fluorescent lamps with LED bulbs and offers a Clean Lighting Advocacy Toolkit for those working on regulations at the state level, including Information Resources, Advocacy Example Material, and Bill Status 2022 and 2023. It also provides the summary chart below of effective regulation dates by states. ASAP’s “General Service Fluorescent Lamps” page explains this type of lighting and pertinent standards. The site also succinctly covers National and State efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.

“New Light Bulb Standards Will Lower Costs, Cut Climate Pollution” from ASAP explains how light bulb efficiency standards (nearly all aimed at LEDs now) finalized in April 2024 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will lower energy costs for households and businesses once they take effect in 2028. ASAP notes that federal standards still permit fluorescent lighting for some bulb types, including the four-foot tubes often seen in garages and offices.

“Understand U.S. Laws that Ban Fluorescent Bulbs to Build a Greener Future” from Earth Savers Energy Services offers a state-by-state overview linked to more information on each state, designed to help you get ahead of the legislative changes by understanding how the laws affect your business or organization depending on the state (or states) in which you operate.

“A State by State Look at Light Bulb Bans [Interactive Map]” from Regency Supply (October 2024) offers a thorough overview of general service lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and linear fluorescent tubes along with current regulations, a great State-level Restriction Summary chart, and an interactive U.S. map linking to each state’s regulations and lighting products suitable for that state.

“CA to End the Sale of Fluorescent Lighting Jan 1, 2025” from AIR CRE (October 3, 2024) provides an in-depth look at California’s CA AB 2208. After January 1, 2025, California will have effectively banned the final sale and distribution of all fluorescent lamps. Aside from specialty lamps primarily used for medical or industrial purposes, the ban applies to screw, bayonet, and pin base compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and linear fluorescent lamps (LFLs), commonly used in both commercial and residential buildings. AIR CRE explores what this means for business owners and property managers.

“Illinois Bill to Swap Fluorescent Lamps for LED Lights Awaits Governor’s Approval” from Facilities Dive gives an in-depth look at the Clean Lighting Act in Illinois that will prohibit screw-base or bayonet-base compact fluorescent lamps from being sold or distributed as new manufactured products on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also bans the sale and distribution of pin-base compact fluorescent lamps or linear fluorescent lamps as new products on or after January 1, 2027.

“Shifting Sands: 10 States Outlaw Fluorescent Lamp Sales” from Electrical Contractor magazine (August 2024) offers a short summary of the issue and the state regulations, and discusses what electrical contractors should know to stay in compliance and direct their customers.

“Fluorescent Lighting Bans: What Commercial Property Owners Need to Know” from FSG (November 2024) provides information specific to property owners, with reasons to upgrade to LED lighting now, and “Fluorescent Light Bulb Bans in California, Colorado, and Washington: What Businesses Need to Know” (November 2024) provides a state-by-state overview and offers services to help businesses remain compliant while enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

“The Strategic Roadmap of the Global Lighting Industry” from the Global Lighting Association shares knowledge on global lighting trends.

Retrofits and rebates

“Will the 2025 Fluorescent Tube Ban Effect Lighting Rebates?” from Incentive Rebate360 explains the bans in relationship to incentives, rebates and bonus programs that are currently available to incentivize businesses to switch from fluorescent to LED lighting, usually providing financial assistance to cover the upfront costs of upgrading. The company notes that the states with bans may modify or discontinue rebates, so businesses might face a narrower window of opportunity to capitalize on these rebates. Incentive Rebate360 recommends that businesses should prioritize completing their lighting upgrades before the bans take effect; their experts can help companies navigate regulatory changes more smoothly and take full advantage of the available incentives.

There are numerous LED manufacturers that sell lighting products suitable to meet the upcoming regulations.

For facilities managers (FMs) who need to replace emergency lighting, Sean Cash of Bodine points out that there are three different types of TLED lamps (Type A, B, and C), and the type of emergency lighting product you need for each varies.  The company offers solutions to replace each type of lamp, and Cash noted that BLK1000 and BLK1000FL EM (the latter featuring the FirstLink connected system) emergency lighting retrofit kits have proven particularly popular in California.

The post <i>FMLink Special Report</i>: Fluorescent bans in six states go into effect January 1. Are you prepared? appeared first on FMLink.

The Color & Wattage Selectable LED Stairwell Light provides the flexibility of setting the color temperature at 3500K, 4000K or 5000K with an 80+ CRI at the point of installation.  Offering 4200, 54000 or 6600 lumen levels operating at 35, 45 and 55 watts, respectively, the energy-efficient stairwell light provides 120 lumens per watt operating on 120 – 347 VAC with a 0-10V dimming capability.

The LED stairwell light is available with an optional multifunctional sensor that includes settings for  detection range, time delays, and dimming levels that can be easily adjusted to meet local code requirements and building management preferences. The sensor provides bi-level lighting to balance energy savings with a feeling of security by operating at a standby low-level light. Upon detection of motion, lighting is restored to full brightness for safe passage. An emergency back-up driver is available for power outages.

Designed for damp and dry locations, the LED stairwell light has a wall-mounted durable steel housing in a modern design with a white finish and polycarbonate lens to maintain the fixture’s appearance for many years. The Color & Wattage Selectable LED Stairwell Light is designed to operate in temperature range as cold as -4°F (-20°C) to 122°F (50°C).

The new LED Stairwell Light from EarthTronics has an L-70 100,000-hour performance life and comes with a five-year warranty. The fixture is RoHS and UL/cUL listed. It may be accepted for utility rebates in many markets. For more information about the Color & Wattage Selectable LED Stairwell Light, visit EarthTronics.

The post Add safety, functionality and ambiance to stairwells with color- and wattage-selectable EarthTronics LED lights appeared first on FMLink.

The DarkSky Approved Lodging Program sets a new standard in the travel industry, encouraging hospitality companies to actively participate in safeguarding the night from the damaging effects of light pollution while providing their guests with an awe-inspiring and educational experience under pristine dark skies.

The program is being launched at a time when astrotourism — tourism centered on traveling to destinations with ideal conditions for stargazing and observing celestial events — is at an all-time high. Currently estimated at half a billion dollars annually worldwide, the astrotourism industry and phenomenon has been recently highlighted in magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes, and National Geographic.

Places dark enough to experience the awe and wonder of a star-filled night sky are dwindling, making such places highly sought-after travel destinations. With light pollution growing at an alarming rate, nearly 10 percent each year, 80 percent of the world’s population now lives beneath light-polluted skies (99 percent for those living in Europe and the United States).

Unfortunately, the growing astrotourism industry is being threatened by its own popularity. With more people traveling to these dark sky localities, increased tourism infrastructure is adding to growing light pollution in these often rural areas. The DarkSky Approved Lodging Program provides a trusted solution.

With more than 210 certified places worldwide, encompassing parks, reserves, sanctuaries, urban areas, and communities, DarkSky Approved Lodging is the newest addition to DarkSky’s award-winning International Dark Sky Places conservation program.

Under Canvas, the leader in upscale outdoor hospitality, is the first company to receive this new certification. This independent third-party certification is now available to similar lodging and camping facilities that meet DarkSky’s strict guidelines that evaluate and address the impacts of artificial lighting at night, ensuring the preservation of these dark sky locations and the unique and awe-inspiring experiences they provide to their guests.

DarkSky International is a trusted organization within the astronomy and conservation communities, with a well-known brand identity and a robust public following. Becoming DarkSky Approved is guaranteed to elevate the reputation of any hospitality company that attains this prestigious status, notes the group.

The post The DarkSky Approved Lodging Program now certifies lodging facilities with responsible outdoor lighting at night appeared first on FMLink.

Lighting systems have a tremendous impact on building energy use. Depending on a building’s age and lighting system, lighting consumes between 10% and 25% of a building’s electricity. Conversions to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting typically save 50% of electricity over a fluorescent baseline, and lighting controls can save an additional 80% of lighting energy.

In recognition of the energy used by lighting, in September 2022, Congress passed the Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology Act, Pub. L. No. 117-202  (BRIGHT Act) requiring federal buildings to use the most life-cycle cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting products. In addition, the BRIGHT Act required GSA to issue this new guidance on the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of those products.

Additionally, this guidance supports President Biden’s Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability and its associated Federal Sustainability Plan, which sets a goal of net-zero operational emissions for the federal government by 2050.

Topics discussed in the guide include:

• Financial inputs for lighting decisions
• LED lighting and system features
• Steps for designing a lighting control system
• Energy-savings capabilities
• Enhanced performance capabilities

Elliot Doomes, commissioner of GSA’s Public Buildings Service, stated:

The federal government is committed to transitioning its real-estate portfolio to net-zero by 2045, and GSA’s Green Proving Ground program is helping meet that charge. GPG’s evaluations of emerging technologies mitigate risk for first movers and provide invaluable guidance on the most effective deployment of these innovations.

For more information, see LED and Controls Guidance for Federal Buildings [PDF – 7 MB]  and GSA’s Green Proving Ground.

The post GSA provides compliance guidance for federal buildings to procure and use energy-efficient lighting appeared first on FMLink.

• • ONLINE CEU SESSIONS Pre-recorded, professionally produced 1-hour sessions available on the NeoCon Learning Hub Monday, June 10th through Friday, September 13th. Virtual CEU Sessions will be IDCEC and AIA accredited.

• • ONSITE CEU SESSIONS Select submissions will be chosen to present onsite at THE MART during NeoCon, June 10th- June 12th, 2024. The sessions are recorded and provided for registrants one week post NeoCon via the Learning Hub until Friday, September 13th. Onsite CEU Sessions will be IDCEC and AIA accredited.

• • WORKSHOPS Long-form, experiential sessions unique to NeoCon. Offered during select timeslots and ranging from 2 to 4 hours in length, workshops are expected to engage attendees in practice-oriented learning. Workshops may also be available for CEU accreditation.

• • NEOCON TALKS Live 20-minute, video-recorded presentations on the 7th Floor Exhibit Hall at THE MART, exploring trending topics. Talks are available post-NeoCon on the website.

The post Submit presentation ideas from an FM or A&D perspective for NeoCon 2024 by Jan. 15 appeared first on FMLink.

SESCO Lighting

Landscape Forms announced an expansion of its 2020 lighting partnership with SESCO Lighting. SESCO Lighting, which is headquartered in the Greater Orlando area, represents Landscape Forms in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi, and now has added SESCO offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Arkansas.

An employee-owned business founded over 50 years ago, SESCO Lighting is the country’s largest lighting manufacturers’ representative company, with nearly 400 employees and 24 branch offices and specialty divisions that cover all aspects of a project, including lighting controls, field service, public sector and energy divisions, and distributor solutions.

SESCO Lighting President and CEO John Palk commented:

We are excited and grateful to expand our representation with Landscape Forms. SESCO is fortunate to represent many of the premier brands in our industry, and we are honored to bring a company like Landscape Forms to the forefront in the Carolinas and now in Arkansas and Louisiana. We are looking to build on our ongoing success together and further bring the great products and specification presence of both SESCO and Landscape Forms to these markets.

Landscape Forms Lighting President Jordan Agustin remarked:

The SESCO team brings a focus on customer service and support that’s second to none, and we’re pleased to be growing our partnership. Landscape Forms has a 50-year history as a solutions provider for human-centric outdoor environments, and our lighting portfolio represents a unique part of the SESCO offering. We look forward to continued success in these new markets and bringing Landscape Forms lighting to a wider audience.

CDm2 LIGHTWORKS

Landscape Forms also announced a partnership with CDm2 LIGHTWORKS, which is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. CDm2 LIGHTWORKS will represent Landscape Forms’ full lighting portfolio in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

The company represents manufacturers of lighting products, controls, and smart solutions, and offers expertise in all aspects of a project, including specification, controls, and project services. It serves A+D; office, education, and healthcare; municipalities, public realm, and infrastructure; and retail, attractions, and entertainment sectors. CDm2 LIGHTWORKS is active in supporting the nonprofit community in British Columbia as well as lighting professional and industry organizations.

Darren Luce, president of CDm2 LIGHTWORKS, noted:

We are proud to offer our clients diverse and innovative lighting solutions for architectural outdoor and public realm projects. Landscape Forms’ modern product designs will enhance our outdoor architectural lighting offering for landscape and architectural specifiers.

Agustin stated:

At Landscape Forms, we seek to bring our best-in-class design and placemaking tools to an international audience. We’re thrilled to partner with CDm2 LIGHTWORKS, a company equally committed to enhancing visual experiences in public outdoor spaces. Our shared philosophy of bridging the art, science, and business of lighting form a natural synergy between our two companies.

Find out more about Landscape Forms’ human-centric outdoor lighting here.

The post Landscape Forms partnerships bring human-centric outdoor lighting to a wider audience appeared first on FMLink.

The association will now be known as the Workplace Solutions Association (WSA), Powered by ISSA. The enhanced brand identity will empower the association to attract suppliers and service providers to strengthen its influence and reach in the workplace solutions space.

Since its establishment in 1904, WSA has evolved through several name changes, including the National Office Products Alliance (NOPA) and Office Furniture Dealers Association (OFDA), before converging as IOPFDA in 2018. In 2020, IOPFDA merged with ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, which now manages the organization.

WSA Executive Director Mike Tucker stated:

We are thrilled to announce the rebranding of our association to the Workplace Solutions Association. This change reflects our expanded mission to include all workplace solutions providers, and we believe that it will help us better serve our members and rally the industry as a whole.

WSA’s new logo represents a fresh and contemporary look while retaining the essence of the association’s identity through a similar color spectrum. The sleek design reflects the organization’s commitment to progress and symbolizes its dedication to serving its members in the ever-evolving workplace solutions industry.

WSA provides the workplace solutions industry with education, impactful government advocacy, and networking opportunities. Members also receive a full suite of benefits, including discounted health insurance and event registration, and access to industry e-newsletters and articles to enhance their organization’s productivity and bottom line.

The association represents the manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers, service providers, and manufacturer representatives, with more than 550 members across the workplace solutions channel. WSA offers opportunities for members to get involved in volunteer-based committees and work with other thought leaders to continually improve and advance the association.

For more information, visit the Workplace Solutions Association.

About ISSA

With more than 10,500 members — including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners, and associated service members — ISSA is a worldwide trade association for the cleaning industry.

The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, USA, the association has regional offices in Milan, Italy; Whitby, Canada; Parramatta, Australia; Seoul, South Korea; and Shanghai, China. For more information, visit ISSA.

The post IOPFDA rebrands as Workplace Solutions Association (WSA) to serve entire independent office products and furniture industry appeared first on FMLink.