Lutron Launches Smart Grid Initiative

The company hopes to move quickly to help connect power utilities "smart
metering" to the electrical infrastructure in both residential homes and
commercial spaces. The initiative will also include focused, new
technology development efforts led by a newly-formed Energy Solutions
Business Unit. The long time leader in electronic control systems for
lighting and automatic window coverings and the inventor of the first
practical dimmer switch for the home, Lutron made the announcements at
the Greenbuild Expo 2009, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC).

"Smart grid and other demand response regulations are going to be a big
part of the future," said Dr. Ian Rowbottom, principle engineer for
Smart Grid Products at Lutron. "Because of our expertise in whole home
and whole building total lighting controls and solutions, we believe
Lutron is uniquely positioned to help utilities create the kind of
connection that will make demand response really productive and
accepted. We know that if we can control lighting throughout a space--in
many cases wirelessly--we can control other electrical loads as well."

Lutron believes that the end user or consumer needs to have a say in the
matter. They need to be "partners" in the process of controlling and
reducing demand.

"It is important to have a system where an end user or consumer can
easily program customized protocols and hierarchy for taking down energy
consumption in their respective spaces when a utility smart grid meter
calls for it," said Rowbottom. "Some may take lighting down first,
others specific rooms, and others may take down the heating and air
conditioning. Everyone wants to conserve energy; we want to give people
a choice on how they do it."

Another important factor in the success of demand response is to provide
a simple way, likely via the internet, for users to see exactly what
their electric consumption is, and where, in real time. "Knowing exactly
how you are using electricity is critical if you are going to be
able to control consumption in a way that won't be disruptive," said
Rowbottom.

Lutron believes it has the products in place now that can enable a
workable demand response system. "On the commercial side, our Quantum(R)
total light management system and Q-Manager with IntelliDemand(TM) can
handle the control and programming respectively. Green Glance(TM) is the
software that can provide review of energy consumption," said Rowbottom.

On the residential side, the company believes that its recently
introduced RadioRA2(R) whole home lighting control system can serve as the
backbone system for demand response in the home.

As part of the smart grid initiative, Lutron's new Energy Solutions
Business unit will be reaching out to both the public and private
sectors to discuss how to integrate their technology with that of others
to accelerate both commercial and residential smart grid solutions.

"We hope to expand our discussions with utilities that are looking for
partners to pilot ways to make smart grid real," said Michael F. Smith,
Vice-President of Energy Solutions. "We are a technology and innovation
company that is deeply committed to help accelerate energy savings and
provide workable demand response solutions."

For more information, visit Lutron at Greenbuild 2009, November 11-13 in
the Phoenix Convention Center, Booth #3154.

About Lutron

Founded in 1961, Lutron is an innovation and technology company that
designs and manufactures sophisticated lighting and window covering
controls and systems for both residential and commercial use. The
company's founder and Chairman is Joel S. Spira, the inventor of the
first successful solid-state electronic dimmer. Based in Coopersburg,
Pennsylvania, USA, the company operates globally, with European
headquarters in London and Asian headquarters in Singapore. www.lutron.com.

SOURCE: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.

Commercial Solutions 
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. 
Paul Licata 
Commercial Public Relations 
610-282-6398 
plicata@lutron.com 
or 
Residential Solutions 
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. 
Melissa Andresko 
Media Relations Manager 
610-282-6440 
mandresko@lutron.com

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