Redwood Systems turns on the light

Classrooms are one target for Redwood Systems.

Redwood Systems rolled out of stealth mode in March with the announcement that it’s developed a brand-new approach to delivering power and information through its LED lighting systems.

Conventional lighting systems require a transformer at each light. Fremont-based Redwood Systems’ technology uses one transformer for dozens of LED lights, which are then connected and powered with low-voltage network cable and accessible through a Web-based dashboard, vice president of marketing Jeremy Stieglitz says.

That means networking capabilities are built right into the system, rather than having to be added, Stieglitz says. The systems can cut up to 75 percent from lighting-related energy use in commercial buildings, according to the company.

Redwood Systems envisions its technology as creating a “smart building fabric,” which could also accommodate other building systems, such as heating, air conditioning and ventilation. Additional sensors, measuring occupancy or air quality, for example, could be added to the network.

The company, which was founded in 2008 and received $12 in funding from Battery Ventures and US Venture Partners, says its technology is well suited for commercial and office applications, as well as schools and data centers. While the technology is also suitable for retrofits, Stieglitz says there is a cost advantage to incorporating it into new construction and major renovations.