Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks for Lighting Energy ...

Other than lighting, it would be interesting to investigate how the framework
developed can be used in applications where multiple actuators with overlapping scopes
are needed for monitored environments. Possible areas include disaster mitigation
systems, agricultural irrigation systems, and so on. In disaster mitigation systems such
as fire sprinkler systems [115, 116], the sprinklers could be coordinated to extinguish
the fire at the right spots detected by the sensor network and secure emergency exit
routes while preventing water damage to valuable assets in non-affected areas. In
agriculture irrigation systems, water may be efficiently supplied to different areas in the
field according to soil moisture monitored by the sensor network and types of crops
[117, 118].
The developed framework has shown great promise on lighting systems with
enhanced energy efficiency and user satisfaction. With a reasonable payback period
when technology matures and the system is optimized for commercialization, noticeable
savings can be achieved while creating a delightful lighting environment. The payback
will be generated from not only the substantially reduced use of energy, but also the
increased revenue resulting from more productive employees working under satisfying
lighting. As a positive impact on the environment, the introduction of the research
lighting system will result in significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and
hence alleviate global warming.
When applied to a broader range of applications, the framework developed in
this research may have the potential to introduce benefits that are unattainable with
typical practice. The ability to robustly extract pertinent information from massively
deployed sensors and promptly response with actions from highly coordinated actuation
204