Self-powered wireless is the key to intelligent green buildings
By Graham Martin, Chairman and CEO, EnOcean Alliance
Intelligent building automation is the key to green buildings, cutting the costs of operation and purchases, as well as substantially reducing the energy consumed in buildings. Temperature controls for single rooms, hot water on tap and lighting on demand are in the meantime indispensable in modern building management. Building automation technologies enable control and regulation of a number of components and communication systems in one overall system. That means a variety of application possibilities, both in commercial buildings and in private households. A drawback of the different components and communication systems, however, has been the many cables and numerous remote controls needed for all the devices. Today, the sensors and switches should be self-powered, requiring no power cables, no batteries, and no maintenance.
Self-powered wireless technology enables flexibility
Wireless technology not only greatly simplifies the cabling of a building, it also enables more flexible room planning because no new cabling has to be laid if you need to change the room arrangement later on. For this purpose EnOcean supplies an innovative basic wireless technology which draws its power from tiny amounts of ambient energy found in its surroundings – such as light, temperature change, movement, rotation and vibration - to transmit signals of an astonishing range.
EnOcean modules feature efficient energy converters, ultra-low-power electronic circuitry and a highly reliable wireless protocol. The wireless signal is transmitted in the 868 MHz or 315 MHz license free frequency band, which means it can be employed in solutions worldwide. The wireless telegrams are just one millisecond long – up to one hundred times shorter than the signal of a conventional wireless switch.
To prevent transmission errors, a telegram is randomly repeated a further two times in the space of about 30 milliseconds. Transmitting data packets in random intervals makes the probability of collision extremely low. Installation and parallel operation of hundreds of wireless switches and sensors in restricted space is no problem at all.
The typical range of EnOcean wireless sensors is 300 meters in the open and up to 30 meters inside buildings. Each EnOcean module comes with a unique 32-bit identification number to prevent any possibility of overlap with other wireless switches.
Radiation levels of a building are also reduced using EnOcean wireless sensors. According to a survey by the ECOLOG Institute, the radiation given off by an EnOcean wireless switch is far lower than that of a conventional wired switch because no breakaway spark is produced during operation. Additionally, with less cabling in the wall, low frequency 50/60 Hz radiation is also reduced.
One technology for many different surroundings
Self-powered wireless modules from EnOcean are suitable for use in many different surroundings. EnOcean Alliance members have created more than 350 products for applications ranging from room thermostats with preset temperature through to maintenance-free wireless window contacts and window handles. All products enabled by EnOcean technology are entirely interoperable.
Products and systems incorporating EnOcean technology are easily to integrate into common building automation systems - regardless of whether these communicate by LON, KNX, BACnet, TCP/IP or Ethernet. Sustainable energy management concepts can therefore be implemented with very little effort or outlay.
Cost-effective entry to energy-efficient building automation
The expected return on investment when automating a building naturally depends whether the user is to derive financial benefit from reduced energy consumption. The technology that is used will hardly make sense if investment or operating costs eclipse the savings potential that it presents.
The use of EnOcean technology in building automation means a sharp reduction in both operating and acquisition costs. Employing energy converters instead of batteries is a unique approach, cutting system error rate and maintenance costs considerably, especially in large installations. In addition, wireless solutions enhance energy efficiency in residential and functional building.
1430 EnOcean sensors ensure energy savings and maximum comfort
The EnOcean technology has been successfully deployed in over 100.000 building projects. One example is the General Vocational College in the Swiss city of Basel. The college campus, designed in the 1950s and in the meantime a listed property, was brought right up-to-date in the course of extensive technical refurbishment. EnOcean's self-powered wireless technology was selected to satisfy the objectives set by Basel Corporation for energy efficiency, sustainability, comfort and convenience.
The basic demand was that everything should run smoothly, without disturbing or hindering the daily teaching schedule. Furthermore, Selmoni AG, the responsible TAC (a Schneider Company) system partner, was set demanding targets – economically and ecologically – in terms of energy efficiency. Investment costs and the scale of any changes to the actual construction of the buildings were naturally expected to be reduced, and the result was to be a modern and comfortable educational environment. Another major requirement was flexibility when it came to possible modifications of the buildings in the future.
The necessary measures were split into two stages to disturb the ongoing teaching schedule as little as possible. A major share of the work was carried out during the college vacations, for example.
To optimise comfort and convenience in the working environment, more than 300 classrooms were fitted with individual room controllers for heating, lights and shade. The technology is planned and implemented to allow later adaptation to room use simply, speedily and cost-effectively.
Timetables are held centrally in the TAC Vista management system for every single room, determining automatically whether a room is in an energy-saving mode, or in a normal mode where its climate is then automatically controlled matching outside conditions. In this way room conditions satisfy all requirements for a perfect teaching environment, and as soon as students enter the room. The energy savings achieved amount to approximately 15 percent. In parallel, within this solution, manual operation of all functions is of course also possible.
To substantially reduce installation cost and effort, and thus optimise the cost of the project overall, all switches, window contacts and room temperature sensors are linked to an LON network by EnOcean wireless receivers. A total of 1430 EnOcean sensors and 200 receivers were installed.
Flexibility made to measure
Self-powered wireless technology from EnOcean – the only wireless standard developed especially for battery and maintenance free operation - is gathering pace in building automation. Besides simplifying the cabling of a building, it allows faster response to the need for changes in how a building is internally configured. Plus these sensors do not require any kind of regular servicing. The occupants of an office have more freedom of movement and increased convenience because, if no batteries have to be replaced, they are not restricted in where they can install something.
EnOcean Alliance - The wireless standard for sustainable buildings
Leading companies from the building sector came together and formed in 2008 the EnOcean Alliance in order to develop automation solutions for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. The Alliance aims to standardise and internationalise EnOcean wireless technology, and is dedicated to creating interoperability between the products of OEM partners. Self-powered wireless components are already in use in over 100,000 buildings worldwide. The technology is currently undergoing standardisation by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). At present more than 120 companies belong to the EnOcean Alliance.
Intelligent building automation is the key to green buildings, cutting the costs of operation and purchases, as well as substantially reducing the energy consumed in buildings. Temperature controls for single rooms, hot water on tap and lighting on demand are in the meantime indispensable in modern building management. Building automation technologies enable control and regulation of a number of components and communication systems in one overall system. That means a variety of application possibilities, both in commercial buildings and in private households. A drawback of the different components and communication systems, however, has been the many cables and numerous remote controls needed for all the devices. Today, the sensors and switches should be self-powered, requiring no power cables, no batteries, and no maintenance.
Self-powered wireless technology enables flexibility
Wireless technology not only greatly simplifies the cabling of a building, it also enables more flexible room planning because no new cabling has to be laid if you need to change the room arrangement later on. For this purpose EnOcean supplies an innovative basic wireless technology which draws its power from tiny amounts of ambient energy found in its surroundings – such as light, temperature change, movement, rotation and vibration - to transmit signals of an astonishing range.
EnOcean modules feature efficient energy converters, ultra-low-power electronic circuitry and a highly reliable wireless protocol. The wireless signal is transmitted in the 868 MHz or 315 MHz license free frequency band, which means it can be employed in solutions worldwide. The wireless telegrams are just one millisecond long – up to one hundred times shorter than the signal of a conventional wireless switch.
To prevent transmission errors, a telegram is randomly repeated a further two times in the space of about 30 milliseconds. Transmitting data packets in random intervals makes the probability of collision extremely low. Installation and parallel operation of hundreds of wireless switches and sensors in restricted space is no problem at all.
The typical range of EnOcean wireless sensors is 300 meters in the open and up to 30 meters inside buildings. Each EnOcean module comes with a unique 32-bit identification number to prevent any possibility of overlap with other wireless switches.
Radiation levels of a building are also reduced using EnOcean wireless sensors. According to a survey by the ECOLOG Institute, the radiation given off by an EnOcean wireless switch is far lower than that of a conventional wired switch because no breakaway spark is produced during operation. Additionally, with less cabling in the wall, low frequency 50/60 Hz radiation is also reduced.
One technology for many different surroundings
Self-powered wireless modules from EnOcean are suitable for use in many different surroundings. EnOcean Alliance members have created more than 350 products for applications ranging from room thermostats with preset temperature through to maintenance-free wireless window contacts and window handles. All products enabled by EnOcean technology are entirely interoperable.
Products and systems incorporating EnOcean technology are easily to integrate into common building automation systems - regardless of whether these communicate by LON, KNX, BACnet, TCP/IP or Ethernet. Sustainable energy management concepts can therefore be implemented with very little effort or outlay.
Cost-effective entry to energy-efficient building automation
The expected return on investment when automating a building naturally depends whether the user is to derive financial benefit from reduced energy consumption. The technology that is used will hardly make sense if investment or operating costs eclipse the savings potential that it presents.
The use of EnOcean technology in building automation means a sharp reduction in both operating and acquisition costs. Employing energy converters instead of batteries is a unique approach, cutting system error rate and maintenance costs considerably, especially in large installations. In addition, wireless solutions enhance energy efficiency in residential and functional building.
1430 EnOcean sensors ensure energy savings and maximum comfort
The EnOcean technology has been successfully deployed in over 100.000 building projects. One example is the General Vocational College in the Swiss city of Basel. The college campus, designed in the 1950s and in the meantime a listed property, was brought right up-to-date in the course of extensive technical refurbishment. EnOcean's self-powered wireless technology was selected to satisfy the objectives set by Basel Corporation for energy efficiency, sustainability, comfort and convenience.
The basic demand was that everything should run smoothly, without disturbing or hindering the daily teaching schedule. Furthermore, Selmoni AG, the responsible TAC (a Schneider Company) system partner, was set demanding targets – economically and ecologically – in terms of energy efficiency. Investment costs and the scale of any changes to the actual construction of the buildings were naturally expected to be reduced, and the result was to be a modern and comfortable educational environment. Another major requirement was flexibility when it came to possible modifications of the buildings in the future.
The necessary measures were split into two stages to disturb the ongoing teaching schedule as little as possible. A major share of the work was carried out during the college vacations, for example.
To optimise comfort and convenience in the working environment, more than 300 classrooms were fitted with individual room controllers for heating, lights and shade. The technology is planned and implemented to allow later adaptation to room use simply, speedily and cost-effectively.
Timetables are held centrally in the TAC Vista management system for every single room, determining automatically whether a room is in an energy-saving mode, or in a normal mode where its climate is then automatically controlled matching outside conditions. In this way room conditions satisfy all requirements for a perfect teaching environment, and as soon as students enter the room. The energy savings achieved amount to approximately 15 percent. In parallel, within this solution, manual operation of all functions is of course also possible.
To substantially reduce installation cost and effort, and thus optimise the cost of the project overall, all switches, window contacts and room temperature sensors are linked to an LON network by EnOcean wireless receivers. A total of 1430 EnOcean sensors and 200 receivers were installed.
Flexibility made to measure
Self-powered wireless technology from EnOcean – the only wireless standard developed especially for battery and maintenance free operation - is gathering pace in building automation. Besides simplifying the cabling of a building, it allows faster response to the need for changes in how a building is internally configured. Plus these sensors do not require any kind of regular servicing. The occupants of an office have more freedom of movement and increased convenience because, if no batteries have to be replaced, they are not restricted in where they can install something.
EnOcean Alliance - The wireless standard for sustainable buildings
Leading companies from the building sector came together and formed in 2008 the EnOcean Alliance in order to develop automation solutions for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. The Alliance aims to standardise and internationalise EnOcean wireless technology, and is dedicated to creating interoperability between the products of OEM partners. Self-powered wireless components are already in use in over 100,000 buildings worldwide. The technology is currently undergoing standardisation by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). At present more than 120 companies belong to the EnOcean Alliance.
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