Smart Automation Magazine Summer 2020

Summer 2020

Which technology is best Wireless standards for building automation and control

8 Industry News The latest news and views on campus

26 Smart education Maximise efficiency in response to COVID

30 The Smart move Why smart tech is right for electricians

42 Light of the museum Lighting without a hardwired installation

PRODUCT LISTINGS

A smart home starts with a smart door!

Electrical installations in both industrial and consumer buildings need to meet the new challenges of our growing power needs. To increase the energy efficiency of buildings, while at the same time integrating consumers into the load compensation, will mean that controlling the switching of electrical devices on or off according to external signals, such as time and consumption, will be vital. www.new.abb.com/smartgrids/ smart-grid-technologies/smarthome-and-intelligent-buildings

IoT solutions for commercial buildings, building equipment, and building technology Based on the Connected Building Platform from The Bosch Smart Home range includes both Single System products Bosch Software Innovations and System Solution products.

Test the range of smart solutions to understand how these products are able to assist you in your daily lives; offering additional comfort, security for peace of mind and energy efficiency, saving you money within your home. Connectivity is more than just technology, it is now part of our every-day lives making life easier and allowing more time for the things that really matter! www.bosch-smarthome.com

Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space.

In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries.

Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/

Grow your business with the global leader Energenie is part of Sandal Plc a public listed uK technology company, Sandal Plc is the brand and IP owner of the Mi|Home smart home system. The Mi|Home ecosystem can control heating, lighting and electrical appliances via both plug and play and retro fit actuators, including radiators valves, retrofit wall sockets and retro-fit light switches. The system also includes a range of sensors that are able to control the Mi|Home actuators allowing for a smarter experience. https://energenie4u.co.uk/ Download the Report today:

The Smart Door Lock Report reveals opportunities for System and Service providers and Retailers.

ASSA ABLoY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience.

Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLoY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 46,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales close to SEK 68 billion.

The Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/

Designed to be offered as a service from the ground up. Enabling our channel partners – insurers, telcos and builders - to add value to their core business creating a more intimate relationship with their consumer and B2B customers. The Cozify platform offers complete flexibility in data gathering and utilization. If so chosen, none of the data leaves the Cozify Hub. Alternatively, with consent from end users, the data can be extracted and analysed to support business decision making. www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners

Enado has over 15 years of experience in the installation and provision of home automation systems. our multiple award winning platform allows multiple, disparate manufacturer systems and devices in the home, integrated into one solution. Industry standard offering of lighting and energy to facilitate control of multiple consumer electronics devices including satellite receivers, smart tv’s, sky and other satellite boxes. www.enado.com

eQ-3 Group is one of the leading innovation and technology companies for home control and consumer electronics. eQ-3 provides the largest product portfolio in the industry and has placed more than 21 million wireless home control devices in almost one million households in the market. eQ-3 is the European market leader in smart home with regard to the installed base of whole home solutions and electronic radiator thermostats. www.HomeMatic.com

assaabloy.co.uk/smartreport2016

40 I Winter 2018 I SMArT AuToMATIon

Software Innovations

bosch-si.com/connected-building

Summer 2020

22 Which technology is best Wireless standards for building automation and control

8 Industry News The latest news and views on campus

26 Smart education Maximise efficiency in response to COVID

30 The Smart move Why smart tech is right for electricians

42 Light of the museum Lighting without a hardwired installation

Editor Chris Hewett editorial@mebmedia.co.uk Accounts Jay Kempisty accounts@mebmedia.co.uk

26

Publisher Wayne Banks +44 (0)1622 201207 wayne.banks@mebmedia.co.uk Website and Circulation Manager Kevin Villa website@mebmedia.co.uk Design and Production Charles David production@mebmedia.co.uk Smart Automation Magazine is published 4 times a year by MEB Media Publishing (UK) Ltd 13 Princes Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1UR United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1622 201207, info@mebmedia.co.uk www.mebmedia.co.uk Articles and art may not be reproduced or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

Exclusion of Liability Although every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of all materials published, the publisher takes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Copyright Š MEB Media Publishing (UK) Ltd 2020, all rights reserved.

Contents 4 Cover Story Which technology is best?

Wireless standards for building automation

38

30 The Smart move Why smart technology is right move for electricians

8 Product & Industry News The latest news and views on campus

34 Improvise, adapt, overcome Pandemic highlights the need for smarter cities

22 A Sustainable solution Schneider Electric unveils blueprint to transform homes from smart to sustainable

38 A Breath of fresh air Pandemic emphasises the need for improved CO2 monitoring in the workplace

26 Smart education Maximise efficiency in response to COVID-19

42 Light of the museum Control your lighting without a hard-wired installation SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 3

COVER STORY

Which technology is best?

A structured approach narrows down the options when choosing wireless standards for building automation and control by Graham Martin, Chairman & CEO EnOcean Alliance

S

mart buildings are becoming the “new normal”, with increasingly sophisticated automation and control systems that deliver cost savings, comfort, and convenience across the board. From individual homes and multi-occupancy buildings, through educational and healthcare facilities, to workplaces and corporate headquarters, enhanced building automation solutions are delivering value-added service features thanks to linkage with IT-based systems and even artificial intelligence.

Such possibilities rely on transferring greater or lesser

4 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

amounts of data around buildings and their interior spaces. The requisite data are easily gathered and transmitted wirelessly: but which wireless technologies and standards are the most suitable?

And how do we go about identifying the best solutions? Prof. Dr. Michael Krodel from the Institut für Gebäudetechnologie (Institute of Building Technology) in Ottobrunn, Germany, has given some invaluable insights.

It depends on the use case In Krodel’s White Paper “Smart Building trends – a comparison of wireless standards for automation

and control” he says that the first step is to identify the processes or systems that need to be automated.

The starting-point is to list the requirements for room-automation and facility automation on the one hand, against the requirements for “Smart Buildings“. The most suitable wireless technology can only be identified, case by case, according to the relevant application and its “use cases“.

Typical room-/buildingautomation use cases include individual room temperature regulation according to human presence and window status; room ventilation and cooling depending

on air temperature, air quality (CO2 and/or VOC loads) and humidity; and lighting, where illumination levels can be dimmed when areas are not in use. In the latter, switches can control individual lights or groups of lights as required.

Artificial light intensity can also be adjusted in accordance with natural light intensity depending on the weather and time of day. In addition, sun blinds and shutters can be deployed automatically to darken the room when it is warm or let the sunshine in when the space is cool. With battery-free technology, switches and dials for illumination and external light shading can be placed anywhere on partitions or walls, according to users’ requirements and convenience.

Handheld remote controls can also be employed.

Use cases for the home are complemented by an extensive list of automation scenarios spanning heat and cooling requirements energy systems’ operation, management and fault reporting.

Smart office buildings expand the possibilities to many more use cases: from the smartphone-based dynamic booking/release of conferenceroom facilities and workplaces in open-plan offices, to optimal facility management through occupancy

sensors. Meetings finishing ahead of schedule and unoccupied workplaces can be identified and adjusted accordingly for optimal facility management.

Further analysis of usage patterns enables the flexible allocation of employee workspace. Under-used areas can be set to energy-saving mode, thereby lowering the cost and workload of heating, cooling and power plant. A graphical display of building occupancy – typically rendered as "Heat Maps" or "Moving Trails" - provides for zone planning purposes. This can be applied to optimise workspace size and location; even to optimise individual workspaces to users’ preferences.

As well as detecting people, sensors within the building automation network monitor pumps, cleaning machines, HVAC systems, lifts and more, then report any malfunction in real time for better fault-finding and more efficient preventative measures.

Categorising wireless standards and their suitability for automation and control With Prof. Dr. Krodel’s analysis, the use cases are cross-referenced with characteristics of the leading candidates for radio-frequency data transmission. In particular, wireless

network standards are characterised by the frequency bands in which they operate, the power of the radio signal, and the protocols and modulation schemes that they use.

Relevant criteria are as follows: • Suitability of the frequency band: the use cases considered, largely feature small data packets (10-100 bytes), latency times from 0.1 to 1 second and a range from 10 to 100m. The suitability of the frequency band is of decisive importance – described as a “KOcriterion” or knockout factor. Any functional limitation, even a partial one, would disqualify the wireless standard in question for this type of application.

• Manufacturer dependence: in the best interests of the user, wireless standards should be available from as many suppliers as possible. In addition, wireless technology should allow for maximal interoperability between technologies and devices produced by different suppliers • Infrastructure: ideally, devices should not require their own. This is a given when signals can be transmitted over greater distances and is particularly relevant when sensor network density is low. A better score is awarded

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 5

•

•

•

•

•

to infrastructure consisting of cable-connected antennas and gateways, allowing for meshed communication.

Integrability: wireless standards should be widely supported by multiple manufacturers of commercially available controllers and gateways, with proven reference project information.

Broad availability of the necessary hardware components: all the necessary sensors must be freely available on the open market.

Measurement and testing: appropriate fault-finding equipment and user documentation should be available.

Power supply: one of the main advantages of wireless technology consists of the free positioning of sensor devices. Cabled power supplies represent barriers to the required flexibility. Ideally, sensors should be self-powered. Batterypowered devices sit in-between these options, because of the need for maintenance and the costs – including environmental cost – of replacement and disposal.

Low power consumption and long lifetime are key considerations.

Data encryption: data security and integrity must be guaranteed by

6 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

encryption technology.

Losers and winners Analysis based on the broad matrix of use cases and technical suitability makes it clear that Wide Area Networks are unsuitable for current and future Smart Building applications. The White Paper concludes that WANs are “better suited to integrating wireless devices into public areas, i.e. where it is impossible to establish one’s own infrastructure. In modern buildings, however, setting up an own infrastructure or establishing mesh networks presents no problems and makes excellent sense in consideration of the density of the sensor networks.”

In contrast to WANs, local area wireless technologies prove applicable to Smart Building automation, albeit to varying degrees. Options to incorporate wireless devices (especially sensors) into building automation system could be especially relevant, for example alongside controllers and direct digital control-systems.

The use-case analysis concludes that support for specific wireless technologies offered by controller manufacturers plays an important

role. There is huge merit to being able to source compatible components on the open market.

Even greater advantages are offered by wireless devices that do not require batteries or mains power.

Two wireless technologies lead the field, as Krodel concludes that “… the EnOcean and Z-Wave wireless standards appear to be ideal for use in “Smart Buildings“. EnOcean achieved a mean score of 1.9 points on the suitability index followed by Z-Wave with 1.5 points. “ But the difference between these front-runners lies in their market focus. Commercially, Z-Wave is better suited to “DIY“ Smart Home consumer-level retrofit applications.

By contrast, EnOcean features higher levels of interoperability and caters for professionally installed integrated systems, most typically in Smart Home and non-residential building sectors. Nevertheless, the EnOcean Alliance is broadening its focus and will have increasing appeal as consumer-level home automation spreads.

For further information please visit www.enocean-alliance.org

Create the room of the future – today The Connected Room Solution

se.com/connected-room-solution SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 7

PRODUCT & INDUSTRY NEWS

Bridgetek introduces new PanL hardware for the controlling of smart devices Bridgetek has further extended the scope of possibilities addressed by its PanL home automation connectivity platform - with release of the PanL Relay. The purpose of this latest unit is to bring greater functionality to installed systems, thereby leading to heightened levels of comfort. It serves as a means to deliver smart switching capabilities, via one of the system’s PanL HMI touch displays. Thanks to incorporation of PanL Relays in their home automation implementation, users will be able to activate or deactivate domestic appliances (such as washing machines, microwave ovens, dishwashers, toasters, rice cookers, kettles, etc.) and other items of electrical equipment (like fans, lamps and outdoor heaters).

Contained within compact, low-profile enclosures (of 145.7mm x 96.7mm x 29.50mm dimensions), the Bridgetek PanL Relays are packed full of sophisticated electronic technology. Each one features a highperformance, 100MHz-rated, 32-bit FT903 RISC microcontroller unit (MCU). In addition, there are 4 8 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

standard electro-mechanical relays for conventional control requirements, plus another 4 solid-state relays which are suitable for controlling higher power electrical devices. All of these relays have their own corresponding status indicators, so that users can see what is being controlled.

PanL Relay units can be powered off a 16V to 24V DC supply. They connect directly to the Bridgetek PanL Hub, which lies at the centre of the home automation system, via their RS485 interfaces. For large-scale implementations where more capacity is required (such as residential complexes or office buildings), it is possible to daisy chain multiple units together.

As with all the PanL-related hardware offered by Bridgetek, these units are fully CE and FCC compliant.

For more information on PanL Relay please visit: http:// panl.brtchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PanLRelay-Datasheet.pdf

Distech Controls receives a 2020 Building Automation & Energy Management Product Award

Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) today announced that the Allure UNIWAVE™ series of wireless interfaces and remote controls from Distech Controls™ has been recognized by BUILDINGS as a product award winner in the Building & Energy Management category as part of the magazine’s annual Money-Saving Product award program. Distech Controls Inc. is an innovation leader connecting people with intelligent building solutions.

Selected for its innovative and budget-friendly room control, the Allure UNIWAVE series is a member of an elite group of 45 products currently featured online at BUILDINGS.com and will be showcased in the magazine’s May/June 2020 issue. Finalists were evaluated by the BUILDINGS media editorial staff for the money-saving benefits they offer to building owners and facility managers in areas such as energy efficiency, water savings and maintenance.

“We are honored by the recognition of the Allure UNIWAVE, a series that allows building occupants to

manage comfort settings in a room or open space while providing lower installation costs and easier retrofit repairs for building owners,” said Charles Pelletier, Vice President of Product Management.

The Allure UNIWAVE device works as part of the ECLYPSE™ Sky Ecosystem (recognized last year by BUILDINGS) by communicating through Bluetooth low energy wireless technology to EC-Multi-Sensor-BLE devices, which offer capabilities for temperature, luminosity and motion detection. The UNIWAVE allows for the ongoing evolution of built spaces without costs typical of wired room controller devices. The wall mounted UNIWAVE can be installed on a variety of surfaces (glass, concrete or brick).

Learn more about Distech Controls products and solutions here: www.distech-controls.com

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 9

Siemens body temperature solution minimizes infection risk in buildings • Contactless temperature measurement at main entry points in buildings • Integrates into workflow of existing security and access solutions • Increases protection of building occupants Siemens Smart Infrastructure announced the launch of Siveillance Thermal Shield. This solution package quickly measures the body temperature of a person seeking to access a building and enables the results to be integrated into the video and access systems of corporations. Thermal imaging cameras are used to measure, in a contactless way, the body temperature at a distance of up to two meters, ensuring the safety of monitoring staff. If the camera screening indicates an elevated body temperature, a second reading must be taken using a medical thermometer to confirm the finding.

This solution package integrates the third-party screening camera with the Siveillance Video security platform and other security systems from Siemens. This allows the measurements to be seamlessly integrated into the workflow of the corporate security solutions.

Using Siveillance Thermal Shield at the entrance to a factory building, for example, offers a quick and easy way to screen employees as part of routine access 10 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

control procedures. This is particularly useful in the food industry where the Covid-19 pandemic has made production more challenging. Other possible use cases include hospitals and border crossings.

“Siveillance Thermal Shield improves the safety of all occupants in buildings or facilities”, said Joachim Langenscheid, Solution and Service Portfolio Head Europe at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “We also advise companies on how they can use Thermal Shield for their industry-specific applications to optimize their security systems and procedures, and we support them in the technical implementation.”

To ensure the highest level of accuracy, the cameras measure the body temperature near the eyes. A positive result triggers acoustic and visual alarms. The temperature is measured for each person individually to ensure accurate and reliable results. If a person shows an elevated body temperature and this finding is confirmed by a second reading obtained with a medical thermometer, the follow-up steps defined in the workflows are initiated automatically.

For further information on Siemens Smart Infrastructure, please see www.siemens.com/smartinfrastructure

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J2 Innovations launches FIN Edge2Cloud

• Supports OEMs and their customers to comprehensively manage their FIN-based building automation systems once in the field • Avoids the need for a VPN and is easily connected to other cloud platforms J2 Innovations, the makers of the FIN Framework – the next-generation software platform for building automation and IoT applications in buildings and built-environments, has launched the Edge2Cloud product to support users of FIN to easily access building data, and service and upgrade their FIN-based building automation systems remotely and securely. Until now, this has required IT support, including the use of a VPN connection, or having to visit the site, using up valuable time and resources.

Building automation is predicted to have the largest annual growth rate in 2020 (42%, up from 0.31 to 0.44 billion of units) in IoT endpoints, [1] making the need for easy and secure access to building data more significant than ever. OEMs, system integrators, facilities managers and end-users all benefit from the Edge2Cloud technology by reducing the need of on-site servicing, better user and access management and reducing long-term costs by ensuring building automation systems are fit-for-the-future.

Edge2Cloud uses the latest IoT web services technology from AWS to ‘push’ a highly secure, certificate authenticated link, encrypted to TLS 1.2, between an instance of FIN Framework on site, and the cloud. Users log-on to the cloud service and access the FIN (and building) data remotely from anywhere, using 12 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

any browser.

Edge2Cloud can be deployed across multiple sites within minutes with a plug ’n’ play set up via an optional QR code and is easily connected and integrated with other cloud platforms via an open API framework based on Haystack 4.0.

“The release of FIN Edge2Cloud is a game-changer for the building automation industry. For the first time organisations can now procure an open framework that enables highly secure remote access to data from multiple systems on their sites that use BACnet, Modbus, and other protocols, without the hassle and cost and complexity of VPN.” - Gareth Johnson, Senior Cloud Architect, J2 Innovations An advanced user & device management portal provides comprehensive user management, with exact control over access permissions, enabling large multisite organizations to determine the appropriate level of access for maintenance subcontractors and other user groups.

Following the early access release of FIN Edge2Cloud today, the service will become a standard part of FIN Framework when fully released this summer.

The initial package is called “Essentials” and will cover User & Device Management, Portfolio Management and Remote Access and will be provided free of charge for FIN Framework server licenses that are under Maintenance. Future planned enhancements will add remote updates and upgrades, cloud APIs and more.

For more information about FIN Framework or Edge2Cloud, visit www.j2inn.com

Atlas Copco introduces SmartLink 2.0

Atlas Copco has released a new version of its SmartLink remote monitoring system − SmartLink 2.0 – that gives air users complete, easily actionable IoT- driven insights, not just data, and early warnings from their compressed air system.

Knowing the status of compressed air equipment at all times is the surest way to spot any developing problems, uncover potential energy savings and achieve maximum uptime for compressors and production lines. With SmartLink 2.0, new, simple dashboards provide an enhanced Human Machine Interface (HMI) allowing users much more interaction with their air compressor systems and presenting information on 'events,' e.g. potential failure/pressure drops / required maintenance, in a way that makes them quicker to action.

With 24/7 connectivity via the integrated, easily installed, wireless Smartbox, SmartLink 2.0 provides a tailored compressor monitoring service program that gathers, compares and analyses data on the fly.

Information from all installations comes to one server enabling users to view parameters such as uptime, energy efficiency, equipment health, recommendations, and service timeline on their screens or mobile devices.

In keeping with Atlas Copco’s original SmartLink 1.0 concept, compressor system users can choose from 3 levels of remote data monitoring to determine the amount of interactive information they receive.

These are SmartLink Service, SmartLink Uptime and SmartLink Energy.

With SmartLink Service, users have complete insight into current and future maintenance needs of the compressor − a guide into necessary actions to maintain compressors correctly and avoid any risk of production interruption.

The Service dashboard displays active and historic

events plus maintenance requirements. The Service timeline and reports indicate service status, planned and executed service jobs and field reports of every action performed by Atlas Copco engineers. Machine panels list all on-site equipment and include an individual machine overview page.

The next level is SmartLink Uptime. This includes all the Service package features but in addition, provides event warning notification. The Uptime dashboard indicates availability details of all connected equipment within a compressed air installation. Users are alerted via SMS mail or push notifications so as to be on top of machine events or self-defined warnings. The dashboard details indicate equipment health status that is based on maintenance, machine condition, and running condition checks.

With the SmartLink Energy level, which embraces the benefits of both the Service and Uptime programmes, the interactive dashboard provides information on energy and performance KPI. It also reveals insights into energy consumption and evolution as well as energy efficiency and achieved savings, machine usage and productive times. A graphic display of all measured data is available for trending and data export, and users can download or schedule customisable reports for performance analysis.

In summary, Atlas Copco’s SmartLink 2.0 offers compressor users insights derived from actionable dashboards, customised views, pro-active advice and alerts. It enables interaction that is fast and mobile, and an intelligent assessment of a compressed air system’s performance that avoids the costs of unplanned downtime and repair.

For more information: www.atlascopcogroup.com

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 13

Bosch EasyControl now compatible with Alexa

Worcester Bosch is delighted to announce the integration of Bosch EasyControl and Alexa by Amazon.

This upgrade allows customers to control the heating of their homes from anywhere in the property without having to raise a finger… just their voice! It’s easier than ever for customers to keep their home at an optimal temperature.

There are a total of five commands available to ask Alexa: Find out the current room temperature • "Alexa, what is the temperature in the kitchen" Find out room temperature setpoint • "Alexa, what´s the temperature in the kitchen set to" To set the room temperature setpoint • "Alexa, set living room to 20 degrees" To increase / decrease the room temperature setpoint 14 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

• "Alexa, increase the temperature in the living room" • "Alexa, decrease the temperature in the living room" To increase / decrease the room temperature setpoint • "Alexa, increase the temperature in the kitchen by 2 degrees" • "Alexa, decrease the temperature in the kitchen by 2 degrees" Existing EasyControls can be updated by homeowners without the need for an installer. In order to update the system, a simple update to the app will be available through either a push notification or manual updating. The EasyControl must then be synced to the homeowner’s Alexa.

For further information on the EasyControl, head to the Worcester Bosch website at: www. worcester-bosch.co.uk/products/boiler-controls/ bosch-easycontrol?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhrCgsej5wIVihnTCh1lKAg7EAAYASAAEgLsdfD_BwE

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Essence Group joins the Zigbee Alliance to develop open standards for smart home devices

Essence Group, a leading provider of IoT solutions for security, connected home and healthcare, has joined Zigbee Alliance as a member in the “Project Connected Home over IP” initiative. In doing so, the company will contribute to developing and promoting the adoption of a new, royalty-free connectivity standard to increase compatibility among smart home products, with security as a fundamental design tenet.

The goal of the Connected Home over IP project is to simplify development for manufacturers and increase compatibility for consumers. The project is built around a shared belief that smart home devices should be secure, reliable, and seamless to use. By building upon Internet Protocol (IP), the project aims to enable communication across smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services and to define a specific set of IP-based networking technologies for device certification.

The industry working group will take an open-source approach for the development and implementation of a new, unified connectivity protocol. The project intends to use contributions from market-tested smart home technologies from various member companies. The decision to leverage these technologies is expected to accelerate the development of the protocol and deliver benefits to manufacturers and consumers faster.

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“Essence is excited to join in and contribute to the standard by bringing its vast 25 years of experience and knowhow in developing and manufacturing radio IoT devices for the security, connected home and health care markets, currently producing over 10 million such devices per year,” said Dr. Haim Amir, CEO of Essence Group. “As a global Software & IoT provider with a history of developing disruptive technologies Essence has always believed in the holistic vision of ’better life made possible‘ while building solutions at scale that emphasize security and, privacy together with an intuitive user experience.”

Participating in the Connected Home over IP Project is important in strengthening and accelerating a global standard. Through it, Essence will demonstrate new abilities across different segments over the next decade.

“Industry players are working alongside each other through the Alliance to shape the future of the IoT using open, global standards,” said Chris LaPre, Solutions Architect, Zigbee Alliance. “Our members together drive meaningful connections throughout the smart home, and we welcome new additions like Essence Group to our roster of IoT visionaries.”

For more information visit www.essence-grp.com

EnOcean Alliance pivots to support ‘safe and smart’ spaces EnOcean Alliance, an international association of leading companies in the building and IT industries, today announced a major focus on supporting businesses and public sector organizations around the world to safely reopen following the widespread COVID-19 lockdown, using flexible, connected energy harvesting sensors to create ‘safe and smart’ spaces. Initiatives will include webinars and training, as well a pilot Smart Spaces project package for an office environment, including sensors to equip three desks with 12 sensors and monitor one meeting room.

Graham Martin, Chairman and CEO of EnOcean Alliance, explained, “Energy harvesting sensors are the ‘secret ingredient’ that can reduce the financial impact of reopening offices, restaurants, shops and schools whilst maintaining a safe distance between occupants as well as very high standards of hygiene. The new requirement to keep workers safe and infection-free is completely in line with the established trends towards smart spaces and smart buildings. The Alliance and its members are already supporting these trends through the deployment of smart, connected and battery-free sensors, and will now pivot to support the creation of ‘safe and smart’ spaces. With energy harvesting technology, building managers can fit the sensor they want, where they want it and as requirements and regulations for space use change add further

interoperable sensors from other vendors.”

Taking the example of offices, Graham Martin pointed out that the need to maintain social distancing put new pressure on office infrastructure. He said, “Companies will have to reduce the occupancy of their spaces.

Making those spaces smart can mitigate the financial impact by ensuring that they are now used to their safe capacity, and serviced, heated and ventilated in line with actual usage.”

He pointed out that, “Pre-COVID research shows that up 60 per cent of desks are empty and meeting rooms are occupied less than 20 per cent of the time.

Removing desks that aren’t being used anyway, and repurposing underutilized meeting rooms is a smart way to deliver a safe COVID-sensitive working environment. Similarly, by accurately monitoring actual usage of desks, meeting rooms and rest rooms, cleaning teams can be effectively directed to maintain high standards of hygiene in areas that have seen use, without dissipating time and energy cleaning little or unused spaces.”

Sensors based on EnOcean energy harvesting technology delivered by Alliance members are cable free, so are ideal for retro-fits and can be relocated at will, as facilities respond to the ever-changing coronavirus situation. They are also maintenance free.

Once set up they will work endlessly without the need to change the battery. There is a real RoI on these solutions. Pre-COVID estimates show that organizations can save 20% of their cleaning costs and 30% of their energy costs by implementing a smart spaces strategy. The Alliance believes that these savings will be higher in the new, socially distanced, workplace.

The 400 members of EnOcean Alliance offer a wealth of technical solutions to support businesses and consumers as they adapt to the ‘new normal’. Together, they offer 5,000 products that are currently in place in 1 million buildings. These solutions conform to ISO/ IEC 14543 3 10/11 and are fully interoperable, allowing building managers to combine technologies from different members to create a single, integrated solution for their office, restaurant, hotel, school, hospital or other space.

For more information, visit www.enocean-alliance.org

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 17

Home Automation to enjoy

Awnings

Ventilation Cooling

Power Supply

Heating

domin iu m home management

Lighting

Smart home automation market worth $203.3 Billion by 2026 The worldwide Smart Home Automation Market is anticipated to reach around USD 203.3 billion by 2026 according to a new research published by Polaris Market Research. In 2017, the entertainment segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue. In 2017, North America accounted for the majority share in the global Smart Home Automation market.

The growing demand for remote monitoring of homes, along with increasing costs associated with energy use increases the demand for smart home automation. The increasing use of mart home automation in the development of smart cities, along with government regulations regarding energy use and emissions support the smart home automation market growth. The rising adoption of Internet of Things, and smart devices boosts the adoption of smart home automation. Other factors driving the market growth include growing penetration of mobile devices, technological advancements, and development of smart cities. New emerging markets, emerging consumer demographics, and increasing awareness among consumers regarding efficient energy use would provide growth opportunities for smart home automation market

in the coming years.

The rising concerns regarding energy efficiency has increased the adoption of smart home automation.

Smart home automation systems maintain the controls of home equipment to maximize energy efficiency. For instance, the thermostat uses a temperature threshold to govern the home’s heating and cooling system.

They can also be programmed with different target temperatures to keep energy usage at a minimum.

The companies operating in the smart home automation markett include Johnson Controls, ABB Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand plc, Schneider Electric, Legrand SA, Crestron Electronics, Inc., Siemens AG, Honeywell International, Inc., Control4 Corporation, and Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.

For the full report please visit www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/ smart-home-automation-market

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 19

Comelit presents integrated Alexa voice control and facial recognition door entry Comelit Group’s Mini Handsfree WIFI Monitor has evolved to integrate with Amazon Alexa, and offer high-performance facial recognition technology, for the ultimate smart door entry experience.

The Italian door manufacturer, known for its high specification solutions, launched the Mini Handsfree WIFI kits as an internal wireless upgrade to its exclusive SimpleBus system, alongside complementing Quadra ViP and iKall metal external door entry solutions.

Simple to retrofit, the Mini Handsfree WIFI system allows Alexa to announce that someone is at the door. And with facial recognition enabled, the new functionality also allows homeowners to identify who is at the door.

Says Justin Hawkesford, Comelit Operations & Technical Manager: “There’s no denying that voice control is the future. The technology will continue to drive and shift to every impact on every aspect of our lives, and in our position, as a forward-thinking premier door specialist, we need to prepare and enable our products accordingly.

“The Mini Handsfree WIFI system was launched 20 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

to fit a mobile connected lifestyle. The new features of Amazon Alexa control and facial recognition demonstrate our commitment to offering futureproof technology, without compromising security or style.

We have also kept to our pledge of ensuring simple installation and configuration, to create a seamless retrofit opportunity for homeowners to benefit from smart door entry.”

The Mini Handsfree WIFI Kit is designed with ease of installation in mind, with a clear interface allowing a connection between its monitor and configuration with Amazon Alexa to be achieved in just a few easy steps.

With colour monitors and indicator LEDs for incoming calls, door open, privacy and pending messages as standard, homeowners will also always be able to receive and answer calls from video door entry on their chosen smartphone or tablet, via the latest updated version of the Comelit App. For further details, or to register, please visit www.comelit.com

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

A Sustainable solution Schneider Electric unveils blueprint to transform homes from smart to sustainable • Schneider presents its vision for a sustainable, safe, efficient and personal Home of the Future • Unveils next evolution in smart home technology with new Wiser sensors, safety and temperature controls to understand room by room energy performance and CO2 impact, all controlled by the Wiser app • Retro-fit solution promises to transform existing housing stock into smart, sustainable homes Sustainable smart homes could be a reality for consumers within the next 10 years according to Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation. Today, the firm unveils its blueprint for the 22 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

Sustainable Home of the Future at IFA 2020 and launches a range of new smart home energy solutions under its Wiser brand. The new products, Power Tag, Acti9 Active and the efficient room-by-room Temperature Control system can be easily and inexpensively fitted into people’s existing homes and controlled via a single app, representing a significant step forward on the path to sustainable houses.

Residential housing is set to become the biggest consumer of electricity globally. EV charging, the electrification of heat, and increased occupancy as more people work from home will see consumers’ electricity consumption dramatically increase over the next ten years. Smart efficient energy management will be

more important than ever to ensure homes are sustainably powered and intelligent enough to optimise their own energy needs, without compromising on comfort.

The Sustainable Home of the Future Schneider Electric’s vision for the Sustainable Home of the Future is one that connects the lifeline of homes – electricity – with digital. By connecting all the elements under one roof you can control every device easily through an app, which will allow different systems to interplay with each other and be personalised to you, the homeowner, to make it as comfortable, energy efficient and self-sufficient as you need.

The Sustainable Home of the Future will learn and anticipate

when, where and how much energy is required to light, heat, power and charge to meet its occupants’ needs effectively and efficiently.

Advances in solar technology will make it a feasible energy source for a wider range of residential homes and geographies. Electric Vehicles will double up as energy storage systems, and intelligent smart meters will ensure that buildings can produce, store and manage their own energy consumption too.

Future homes will be able to identify the best energy source to use at the right time to reduce cost. Crucial to achieving this goal is increasing the data available to inform decision making and connecting the electric and digital world. Wiser is the solution.

Smart homes just got sustainable The new additions to Schneider Electric’s Wiser range of smart home products mark a significant step forward in its plans to create affordable, sustainable, energy efficient, safe and personalised homes. The new products promise to increase safety, while giving consumers more insights on their energy usage and the corresponding impact in CO2 emissions. Thanks to AI and Machine Learning based predictions, consumers have the potential to reduce energy consumption and electrical heating costs by up to 50%, as well as predict solar production trends (future

release).

Be smarter with power The revolutionary Power Tag sensor is one of three products in the enhanced Wiser ecosystem of smart sustainable products being introduced at IFA 2020.

The Power Tag is a simple ‘plug and play’ sensor for your electric panel (suitably designed to retrofit older properties affordably).

Alongside the Wiser range, it enables homeowners to track energy

consumption room by room and crucially, it tells you how this energy is being used, not just how much is consumed. Occupants can set monthly energy consumption targets, receiving an alert if the Wiser system predicts that target will be exceeded, enabling people to reduce usage and avoid bill-shock.

A future product feature will add an extra level of analytics provided by the sensor, which will also help homeowners monitor their consumption in terms of CO2 emissions to better understand their carbon footprint. For Electric Vehicle owners, it can advise when the best time to charge your car may be, for example, when the tariff is lowest or excess solar power is available. Consumers with solar panels can also maximise their use by monitoring their own solar energy production levels. Solar users can maximise their use of renewable energy and ensure their panels are working effectively, improving their carbon footprint even further.

The second innovation is the Acti9 Active, bringing improved safety and power reliability into homes. Does your TV or internet connection cut out when there’s a storm? Are there too many loads on the electrical outlet behind the TV when your children are playing video games? Or are you living in one of SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 23

the many aging properties across Europe with outdated electrical infrastructure? The Acti9 Active will notify you when faults such as overloading or corrosion or detected, allowing you to fix any issues before they become major problems. This form of active prevention brings much needed peace of mind to 24 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

homeowners.

The third piece of the smart ecosystem revealed today is the efficient Temperature Control system that controls room temperature so accurately, powered by AI and Machine Learning, helping reduce energy bills by up to 50 per cent without compromising on comfort.

Its unique room-by-room control feature allows you to manage your heating systems more efficiently by accurately estimating the heating characteristics per room, rather than for the whole home. A second feature that will soon be added is ‘open window detection’. If a window is left open, the heating will be paused, a notification sent to the user, and it will wait to resume heating until the window is shut. The benefits of both these features are two-fold; make significant savings on your electricity bill and reduce your climate impact.

Manish Pant, CEO & EVP Home & Distribution says, “Homes are more than just a roof over our heads. They are the place we spend time with loved ones, play games with family, cook our favourite meals and feel safe. But their carbon footprint is growing. Demand for electricity is set to double over the coming decades.

Creating sustainable homes will be crucial to reducing global warming and achieving a net-zero future. Our new Wiser range of smart energy saving products are a significant step forward on the path to sustainability because they give consumers an unprecedented level of information and control over their home energy use.

“The first generation of smart home products gave us room by room comfort control. Today, Schneider Electric is adding room by room energy consumption and in the future, carbon emissions information.

By helping people better understand where their energy is consumed, the impact it has on the planet and enabling them to reduce use without compromising their lifestyles, moves us closer to sustainable homes.”

Schneider Electric’s Wiser product range combines the power of connectivity, sensors and analytics to create a complete ecosystem to transform homes, allowing people to manage their home energy consumption wisely and reduce the environmental impact of their dwellings from their mobile device app. The transformation from smart homes to sustainable smart homes is now underway.

For further information please visit www.se.com

Integrated Building Automation Solutions for System Integrators

SMART BUILDINGS

Smart Education How digitalising education facilities can maximise efficiency in response to COVID-19

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hile lockdown restrictions are being eased, it is likely that COVID-19 will leave a lasting legacy on our attitudes to safety and building management. As schools readjust to operating within the new norm, one thing is for certain: there is always room for vigilance when it comes to school processes. Whether to reduce costs, maximise efficiencies, or achieve optimal well-being of schoolgoing children, smart technologies are here to stay for their extensive benefits.

Schools of the future will be smarter COVID-19 has underscored the importance of automated processes,

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which are adaptable to different building occupancies and shifting challenges. As schools around the world take the first steps towards digital transformation, the simplicity and ease of integration of some smart technologies are showing marked cost savings; streamlined safety, maintenance and operational efficiencies; and enhanced green potential. Real-time reporting from sensors and technologies are mobilising schools to adopt a data-driven approach to take their schools into the future.

COVID-19 considerations Since withdrawn, the Government’s guidelines on schools’ management during COVID-19 have provided food

for thought for governing bodies and facilities managers in the school setting. It is also driving the adoption of data-based smart solutions to counteract operational challenges and reduce costs. The guidelines dealt with partially closed facilities - and guidelines for full opening have since been issued. Within the school context, the categories outlined in the original guidelines are perennially important and, with a bearing on safety, the more precise, the better.

Coronavirus and temperature checking Across different facilities, temperature screening has become a naturalised daily occurrence,

with elevated temperatures a good indicator of underlying illness. In the school setting, crowd screening technology has the potential to give live temperature readings, alerts, and access control functionality.

It can also be used as a contact traceability tool when high temperatures are detected. Using infrared sensors, this technology provides medically accurate readings in real time with minimal disruptions or student backlogs.

Hot and cold water systems The dormancy of school buildings has created a secondary worry around Legionella - and the latest guidance from The Department of Education encourages the usual pre-term building checks are conducted. This is an ongoing responsibility and one which is traditionally labour-intensive - involving hot and cold water temperature testing and flushing.

This bacteria causes Legionnaires’ Disease, which is preventable yet potentially fatal. Automated Legionella testing removes the need for human effort, cost, potential exposure, and manual record-keeping. It also provides

alerts of undesirable temperature readings and expedited response times (which, in buildings of extensive pipework, can avoid hefty maintenance bills). This smart approach to Legionella maintenance is a simple compliance tool, which will help to ensure statutory obligations and prevent sometimes punitive penalties.

A smarter outlook on energy and green transformation Without question, saving energy is smart - and smart technologies are leading the charge in helping schools to reduce consumption and achieve green goals. This is being achieved in a range of ways - from constant monitoring of HVAC usage, heating systems, and lighting to the development of data-driven maintenance schedules to keep equipment performing efficiently.

Smart sensors can deliver real-time insights on usage and occupancy, reducing waste to a minimum.

Compliance around fire safety monitoring Fire safety is a key compliance concern for schools. A system of smart tags and sensors can perform

system tests, monitor extinguishers for tampering (notifying personnel on movement and weight changes, for instance), report on gas leaks and other risk factors, and keep a detailed, cloud-based record for compliance purposes. This removes the chance of human error and works together with smoke and fire alerts, automated roll call, and fire door monitoring to offer schools a demonstrably meticulous approach to fire safety.

There’s smart and there’s smarter Iot (Internet of Things) solutions providers, like us, have developed a suite of smart solutions which cater to the schools of the future.

Wireless, long-lasting and costeffective solutions combine a system of tags, sensors, and pressure pads, which transmit data over a secure and private network. These powerful tools send data to a remote dashboard in real time, with alerts for undesirable readings, breaches, and metrics - tailored to facilities owners’ buildings, assets, and needs. With a user-friendly interface, these systems also collect data for thorough record-keeping and meaningful data insights, which have

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 27

the potential to inspire informed decision-making and strategic development as schools continue to respond to the ongoing COVID-19

crisis.

Matthew Margetts is Director of Sales and Marketing at Smarter Technologies. His background

includes working for blue-chip companies such as AppNexus, AOL/ Verizon, and Microsoft in the UK, Far East and Australia.

Smarter Technologies tracks, monitors and recovers assets across the globe in real time, providing asset tracking systems to the open market and fulfilling the world’s most complex asset tracking requirements.

Their services cover a vast array of business sectors, products and equipment from container or pallet tracking to military-grade devices; and can be used across a broad spectrum of industries.

As a leading IoT company, they also provide smart building solutions for modern businesses, offering wirefree, battery-powered and low-cost IoT smart sensor technology.

Their solutions will put an end to scheduled maintenance and help businesses utilise their building’s efficiency, benefitting from real-time alerts and facilities management tools that will bring them into the 21st century.

For further information please visit https://smartertechnologies.com

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Switch and dim lights, call up lighting moods, save energy

Play music, control multiroom systems

Time-dependent control of blinds and shutters, monitor windows and doors

Analyse data and consumption

See who is calling, display camera images, secure building

Display energy consumption, turn power outlets on and off, save electricity

Control and monitor building technology from outside

Regulate heaters and air conditioning units automatically, heat in an energy-conscious manner

Synchronise calendars and time clocks, play occupancy simulations

Save energy, manage energy consumption, heat in an energy-conscious manner, protect the climate

Call up weather forecasts, use weather services

Monitor and automatically open and close windows and doors, secure building

Control innovative building technology via radio

Use door communication and keyless access control, secure building

Simulate occupancy, use timers, secure building

Intelligent building technology from Gira

SMART TECHNOLOGY

The Smart move Six reasons why smart technology is the right move for electricians

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e have smart devices, smart homes, smart offices, smart cities, and soon, even a smarter Wi-Fi network. With such a heavy focus on smarter connectivity, what does it mean for the electrical industry?

More opportunities for electricians, for one.

We recently covered emerging smart tech trends and how this could open up more jobs for electricians.

Here, we’re looking at how electricians fit in this booming market and why they should start taking advantage of it right now — before it gets even bigger.

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1. The Smart Home Market Is Growing Today, there are more residential opportunities to work with high-tech systems than ever before.

According to Frost & Sullivan, 66% of homeowners would prefer a professional installer to install their smart home systems. This doesn’t just refer to swapping in a smart thermostat, either. Homeowners are turning to certified electricians to install smart lighting systems, smart security devices, backup power storage systems, and more.

“Contractors need to stay versed in the new items and technologies on the market,” Mehs Ess said, who

is the District Manager for the Austin Group at City Electric Supply.

“Tastes, demands, and availability are always changing in smart controls. Since a supplier should be the liaison between the electrical contractor and the manufacturer, he should introduce new products, be conscious of the applications, the costs, and help connect contractors with the tech support necessary to install these often complex systems.”

And as the smart home market grows, that reliance on distributors is going to grow as well. Whether it’s introducing contractors to smart controls or helping them get the support they need to install it, City

Electric Supply and its branches are always ready to lend a helping hand.

2. Retrofit Applications Smart lighting comes standard in new construction, which includes basic smart lighting features like time clock control, occupancy sensing, and remote access. But what about retrofitting?

For existing buildings and homes, integrating wireless features is a cost-effective entry point.

Remote lighting capabilities, daylight harvesting sensors, occupancy sensors — these features aren’t just about efficiency, but integration with other smart technologies in a building’s automated system. By installing smarter lighting systems, contractors are giving building managers and end users more control over how they manage their energy and light their spaces.

The even better news?

Manufacturers of wireless lighting controls are focusing on making installations simple. That means more opportunity for work with little specialized training.

Staying up to date on the number of new smart lighting products hitting the market may be challenging, but

it will provide electricians with the chance to upsell upgrades to a space with wireless controls for better energy and labor savings.

Of course, improved efficiency is a given. It might’ve been a groundbreaking development when this technology first hit the market, but now consumers are wanting more control for a better experience.

Fortunately, new features are being introduced about as rapidly as the new products themselves. Now, contractors can recommend products with fully customizable dimming and lighting controls as well as voiceassisted features to seal the deal.

3. Commercial Market High-tech installations are mainly contracted in the commercial market.

In fact, according to a survey by Klein Tools, 3 in 5 electricians have done smart tech installations, and 7 in 10 have seen an increase in smart offices just in their area.

What’s the drive behind this growing demand for integrating more complex systems in new construction and retrofits? To put it simply, building managers want flexibility and convenience, occupants want a more productive, mood-enhancing environment.

In fact, over 80% of new construction features some smart tech connectivity that handles lighting, HVAC, and more. How is that shaping the role of electricians when it comes to the commercial market?

“Many commercial projects now include smart control packages nearly as expensive as the lighting package itself,” said Mehs Ess. Having that connectivity is a huge selling point, especially in new construction.

The best part? With easier installations being a focus for many manufacturers, contractors can now offer enhanced features like dimmability without having to run dimming wires.

4. 5G and Smart Cities The future is smart, it’s full of 5G, and it’s coming soon.

For all the benefits that 5G is expected to bring, its impact on smart cities, smart technologies, and even just its deployment will offer electrical contractors a lot of job opportunities.

From improved performance of lighting to more responsive building operations, 5G should introduce cutting-edge capabilities in the smart tech world. One of the main reasons

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for this? Greater sensor density — one of the most critical aspects of a smarter future.

Not only will 5G set up a faster network that can exchange information much more rapidly than is possible today, it will also allow for more information to be exchanged by increasing bandwidth.

While 4G towers will remain, 5G is going to rely mainly on “smart cells.”

These transmitters can be attached to a 4G tower, but they can also be mounted on power poles and even buildings themselves. The closer you are to a 5G sensor, the better the strength.

So how are we going to really maximize the potential of 5G? These small cells may need to be installed by the hundreds of thousands. By raising the number of sensors and transmitters, smart cities will have better functionality, better datagathering capabilities, and a more powerful network overall.

5. Attracting a Younger Generation The skilled labor shortage is a challenge, but it’s nothing new to this industry. However, with advances 32 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

in smart technology, that could very soon change.

Younger electricians and apprentices are entering the industry because they want a future-proof career that incorporates technology on the job and has the potential for future growth. Not only are these digital natives used to technology being available at their fingertips, but they expect to work with it, too.

This interest from young electricians is also part of the reason why training programs have included up-to-date information on high-tech installations. From 2016 to 2021, Klein Tools has committed $2 million to ensure apprentices and students train with high-quality tools and materials while receiving the highest possible educational experience. Their partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is going straight to programs that integrate classroom learning, interactive simulations, and virtual exercises to efficiently prepare students for the industry.

6. High-Tech Systems. High Job Satisfaction.

Back in 2016, Klein Tools’ State of the Industry survey found that 51% of electricians with at least 10 years of experience preferred working on high-tech installations. This was up from just 24% in 2015.

Working on more complex systems doesn’t just present challenges that allow electricians to improve their craft, it also invites collaboration. On a commercial job site implementing a high-tech system, experienced electricians can mentor young electricians and apprentices, lessening the skills gap and even bringing new ideas to the forefront.

Today, electricians who install these high-tech systems have to be almost as knowledgeable as the engineers who design them.

As the smart tech industry is expected to double in size by 2025, it’s only a matter of time until installing smarter control systems becomes just another part of the job.

For further information please visit www.cityelectricsupply.com

SMART CITIES

Improvise, adapt, overcome

Pandemic highlights the need for smarter, more adaptable cities by Cedrik Neike, CEO, Siemens Smart Infrastructure

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he coronavirus pandemic is a new experience for every one of us. It has changed life as we know it - at work, at home and for public interactions. As some countries start to ease restrictions on public life, how can we go back to ‘normal’ while still maintaining social distancing and feeling safe? How do we manage crowded public spaces like shopping malls, cinemas and restaurants? How do we optimize safety in our offices and factories? More importantly, how

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do we avoid shutting down entire cities and countries when the next pandemic hits?

While the crisis raises many questions, it also forces us to reflect on how our cities can be more human-centric and resilient in the face of unforeseeable challenges.

Many would argue there are very few, if any, human-centric cities in the world. Reasons for this include air pollution, poor urban planning and traffic congestion, to name a few.

However, despite the chaos of the

past months I am convinced there’s a silver lining – it is in adaptability. It is now clearer than ever that the main characteristic of our future cities needs to be adaptability. Here is why I believe so.

Adaptability as the game changer The pandemic has given our environment a much-needed breather, but it hasn’t removed the biggest challenges we are up against.

Our resources are still finite and using them efficiently so we can live

sustainably on this planet remains a top priority. Today, we have a golden opportunity to reassess how technology can be applied to tackle the challenges of climate change, urbanization and population growth. The pandemic is creating a paradigm shift: we are on the cusp of a leapfrog into a new era of digitalization.

While 99% of city infrastructure remains dumb today, technologically speaking, digitalization can make it more flexible and quicker to respond to crises. Digitalization allows us to create a digital, adaptable twin of a city in the virtual world. We can test and simulate a city’s resiliency to events like natural disasters and pandemics. This helps us understand how adaptable it is to such events and simulate a number of responses to activate in the future.

Our goal should be to create cities that balance environmental impact and economic growth. While natural resources continue to dwindle, data is an infinite resource at our disposal.

Data is at the heart of digitalization.

Using it can help us achieve this goal by eliminating waste and saving energy and cost. We are already doing that in buildings – and getting better at it. But leveraging data to the advantage of people in cities is still at its infancy. In the future, we envision smart infrastructure becoming all-sensing; an ecosystem that knows you and adapts to your needs, thanks to data and digitalization.

This process is continuous – in the sense that we should create an infinity loop: constant improvement based on the connection from the physical and virtual worlds. It’s like children whose brains develop based on sensory experience – gaining

knowledge through feedback from senses or others: learning not to touch something hot, for example.

The infinity loop for infrastructure connects input from all the sensors and experts to continuously improve the experience of those in the city and enhance the value of solutions for our customers.

All-sensing infrastructure Sensors make all-sensing infrastructure possible. They are used almost everywhere today, from detecting earthquakes, measuring your heart rate on a fitness tracker to ensuring safety of workers on industrial sites. Data collected through these sensors is sent to a computer to be analyzed and used intelligently.

The significance of sensors is growing and is only going to increase after this pandemic, with intelligent sensors contributing more to our public and private lives. This is because they allow us to monitor our surroundings like never before. The challenge is to create an ecosystem by joining all the dots.

Today, through our subsidiary Enlighted, IoT, smart sensors collect

and monitor real time occupancy, light levels, temperatures and energy use. They can distinguish between people and objects and customize controls for specific purposes. There are 3.5 million sensors installed across our customers’ buildings globally, helping them make the best use of their office space and cut energy costs. In the UK, they enable an NHS outpatient facility to cut energy spend by 80% annually.

Smart sensors are also useful in case of a fire – giving firefighters reliable information about the number of people and their location in the building. In other cases, they monitor air pollution, helping cities comply with clean air and emission reduction targets.

While in the past we placed sensors to protect and operate our infrastructure, now we are extending that to make our environment anticipatory, interactive and caring.

We realize that using smart IoT sensors can significantly contribute to secure business continuity during a pandemic.

Possible future applications of sensors What if a pandemic hits again?

Sensors could help us continue to work in the office and meet in public by enabling social distancing. They can quantify the density in any given area at any given time, making sure people keep their distance and avoid overcrowding. This means we may not have to shut entire cities and countries in the future.

We also expect the focus on office space efficiency and utilization to increase. It’s something we have looked at for different use cases, such as comfort or asset efficiency, SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 35

for a while. In response to COVID-19, more customers are asking for applications that help them design their offices in more optimal ways.

Today, 33% of commercial real estate space is underutilized or unused, creating an opportunity to save cost.

Add to this the opportunity for a significant increase in ongoing home working, thanks to the biggest forced test in history, and the potential for reducing real estate costs becomes compelling.

There could be more demand for critical environment applications, for example in pressurized rooms for hospitals and labs. In indoor spaces, often more polluted than outdoors, we can use occupancy data to adjust airflow, so it circulates better when there is a density of people in one area. This ensures better air circulation in supermarkets, for example.

Imagine coming to the office during a pandemic, how do we ensure infected people stay at home?

Sensors can also play an important role here by measuring temperature 36 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

and communicating with access control systems. Workplace apps, such as Comfy, can play a role, allowing people to only book desks that are two meters apart from the next occupied desk.

But more sensors in smart cities also raises important ethical concerns around data privacy – even if our sensors ensure anonymity.

Ethical smart infrastructure Data privacy is about balancing what is feasible, legal and ethically right.

If we want to create all-sensing infrastructure that helps preserve natural resources and tackle global challenges, we need to collect and analyze data. There will be hard choices to make – privacy vs safety, environmental impact and convenience. Individuals have the right to decide what matters to them.

We want to make sure our data is used for the limited purpose we signed up to and not misused. Global companies have a big responsibility to manage data ethically and show transparency about what is stored

and for what purpose.

Let’s benefit from what we’ve learned In summary, our world has changed forever: let’s create a new normal that benefits from new uses of technology and from the positives of the experiences of lockdown. We must take the time to reflect on what we want to take forward – more home working, increased virtual collaboration, fewer airmiles and corresponding carbon footprint reduction, flexible working to gain more hours with family. Even a recognition of what really matters in life.

Data exchange will be key to making our cities more adaptable and resilient to crises. With the right setup, the infrastructure that is most adaptable to change – be it pandemics, natural disasters or climate change - will not only survive but also help society to thrive.

For further information visit www.siemens.com/smartinfrastructure

TAKE COMFORT IN YOUR HONEYWELL CONNECTED HOME.

Comfort, safety, security.

It’s in your hands.

HVAC

A breath of fresh air

Pandemic emphasises the need for improved CO2 monitoring in the workplace

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he COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented focus on health and safety practices within workspaces, as UK staff return in increasing number to their principal place of employment. Hand sanitisers and social distancing are among headline measures companies have been urged to put in place in order to keep factories and offices virus-free, but crucial to maintaining a healthy indoors environment at this time of crisis will be the effective use

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of ventilation. But how well are air quality and environmental conditions being monitored in large offices and commercial buildings, and are they being analysed correctly?

Energy and operational efficiencies are often considered when it comes to sending commands to the HVAC equipment, but it is vital that we also consider the comfort of occupants. Research shows the environment not only impacts peoples’ health; it can have a detrimental effect on their

productivity.

According to a study for the British Council of Offices by Oxford Brookes University and LCMB Building Performance*, the performance of office workers actually declines when CO2 levels are high and temperatures are too warm or cold. This was one of the first practical studies into UK indoor office environments and highlighted some important issues when it comes to occupancy comfort and productivity. The workplaces that

“We spend 90% of our time indoors and it’s crucial to understand how today’s climatecontrolled environments are impacting the way we perform. Our research has developed an innovative approach for measuring and optimising indoor environmental conditions and workplace performance to create productive working environments”.

Professor Rajat Gupta, Oxford Brooke University took part in the study were tested for a two-year period and had internet of things (IoT) enabled sensors installed to monitor fluctuating CO2 levels.

Working smarter The results showed that with lower CO2 levels, employees’ test scores improved by up to 12%. In

one of the buildings tested, people worked 60% faster with reduced CO2 concentrations, completing tests in a mean time of 8.2 minutes, compared with 13.3 minutes with more CO2 in the atmosphere.

The study also highlighted that it is important that we do not consider energy efficiency and occupancy

comfort in silos. Often, in an office, the atmosphere can start to feel stuffy and people put that down to it being hot so they turn up the air conditioning becoming less energy efficient. However, it is more commonly down to the CO2 levels and it a change in the air quality that is needed not a change in

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 39

temperature. The study also showed that closer monitoring of the CO2 levels meant that fan speeds could be significantly decreased without adversely affecting the CO2 levels in the workspace.

Although beneficial to a more productive working environment by increasing levels of comfort and wellbeing amongst staff, of prime concern regarding the issue of indoor quality in public and commercial buildings ought to be the occupants’ health – particularly in the current COVID climate.

Indicators In light of the pandemic, the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) has released guidance on the safe use of ventilation systems during the current crisis. Recommendations include installing a CO2 monitor with traffic light indication to help optimise ventilation. The sensor is particularly 40 | Summer 2020 | SMART AUTOMATION

advised for rooms where ventilation depends on opening windows, as when used in conjunction with a building management system and high levels of CO2 are indicated, it will trigger the use of HVAC systems to optimise airflow. Sontay is able to offer such a solution as part of its full CO2 sensor range.

Traffic light indication is one of the many options available via its CO2 monitoring device, which features the latest multi-sensor technology and functionality. The system highlights green when indoor air quality and ventilation is good, while amber means CO2 levels are increasing and action is required to reduce occupancy and ventilate the area. Red is a signal to immediately increase ventilation or reduce occupancy due to the presence of higher-than-recommended levels of CO2.

Active and resistive temperature readings, RH outputs, and Nondispersive infra-red (NDIR) sensor

technology are among the Sontay CO2 monitoring system’s other built-in features. All of which ingeniously combine to create building interiors that optimise occupant comfort and wellbeing.

CO2 monitoring is often overlooked, but so important. The Oxford Brookes University study sums it up perfectly when it states, ‘People are a business’ biggest cost, and yet most workplaces aren’t optimised to get the best from them.’ The key to getting the best out of people is improving the environment we make them work in.’ Improvements that will also help enhance health and safety for staff the world over at this very challenging time.

For more information please visit www.lcmb.co.uk/new-uk-researchshows-high-co2-concentrationsin-offices-are-decreasing-peoplescognitive-capability

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 41

LIGHTING

Light of the museum Control your lighting, without the disruption, cost and maintenance of hard-wired installation Saima Shafi, Sales and Marketing Director, LED Eco Lights

W

hilst the advantages of converting from outdated fluorescent lighting to LED technology are substantial, they become far greater when integrated with an intelligent lighting control system, which delivers the correct amount of light

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where and when it is needed. When dimmed, LED lighting becomes more energy efficient and automated systems like daylight harvesting and occupancy sensors can turn on or dim lights according to changes in light, need or the time of day.

Wireless lighting control systems however are designed to

control lighting without the need for complex wiring systems and provide increased flexibility in the way an area of a building can be used. Instead of positioning switches and sensors where wiring permits, building operators can place controls where they are needed with ease to optimise lighting performance.

Automated lighting networks can radically reduce energy consumption whilst delivering optimal lighting performance, where it is needed.

Typical savings, when combined with LED luminaires are between 60-95%, depending on its application – ranging from commercial to industrial, education to healthcare and even hospitality! In addition to the obvious energy savings, an intelligent lighting system allows activation of an individual light or groups of lights from one device, sets lights to turn on and off or dim at precise times and creates customised lighting for a specific task.

A wirelessly connected system eliminates the disruption, cost and maintenance burden associated with hardwired installations, whilst still allowing full control of the lighting system. The resulting system is at heart simple - yet infinitely scalable to the needs of the installation. From a single light fixture to thousands, within the same system, there is no upper limit.

New solutions like Light Boss make lighting networks a breeze to design as well as install and maintain. Software enables users to upload their floorplan – existing or proposed - for quick lighting layout creation, via easy-to-use ‘drag and drop’ tools. Once installed, the connected system creates a digital network, where luminaires communicate wirelessly, controlled

by Android app or web interface, with simple software.

Setting or adjusting the lighting can be achieved without any wiring changes.

Luminaires can be added or replaced, and re-configured at

the touch of a button – ideal when refurbishing or adapting internal layouts – and without any expensive re-commissioning.

Light Status Monitoring & Maintenance An extensive status monitoring dashboard provides on-demand reports of the ‘health’ of LED sources and drivers, highlighting any critical failure points that need attention.

For those involved in providing lighting support to sites, for example

facility managers, the solution caters for ‘active’ maintenance support, in addition to delivering ‘reactive’ lighting maintenance solutions fast and effectively. Neither of these functions require maintenance teams to carry out surveys or make visits to the relevant site.

In addition to its routine maintenance capabilities, an intelligent lighting control system provides automation of routine emergency light testing and maintenance requirements, for

SMART AUTOMATION | Summer 2020 | 43

example with self-test features for emergency lighting. Without the need to attend site and test individual light fittings, users are alerted to faults as and when they occur. With logging and fault recording functionality, it eliminates the need for manual recording.

Measuring success and progress Reporting on the energy consumption of all connected lighting fixtures allows analysis and measurement of a single site, or all the sites being managed. This makes a wirelessly connected system ideal for reviewing the energy performance of multisite portfolios. Energy and facility managers can log in to review data from any site location as little or as often as needed.

A major advance of this integrated solution is that it can be applied to new builds, retrofits, old and new lighting. Light Boss modules are connected during the LED lighting upgrade, saving the time and costs of an additional lighting control installation. Because the technology is retrofittable – any luminaire and even individual lamps can be replaced with new LED and wirelessenabled luminaires. Integrate with non-LED luminaires, to make them smart too! All data can be monitored via the Android App (or remotely via web interface) or downloaded for easy analysis.

The savings can be substantial.

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Operating your lighting where it is needed – rather than at 100% brightness constantly – not only minimises energy consumption, but also extends lighting lifecycles and reduces maintenance costs. Example cost savings for a distribution centre fitted with LED lighting and Light Boss are around 87% with a payback of less than two years.

What is more, a wirelessly connected system qualifies for government schemes such as the Carbon Trust Green Business Fund.

By claiming 100% first year capital allowance, through the Enhanced Capital Allowances Scheme (ECA), installers can offset the cost of a Wireless LED lighting control, LED luminaires, and their installation.

Lighting control systems are an effective way to reduce energy and operating costs.

However, hard-

wired systems can be expensive and time consuming to install, particularly in existing buildings, so it’s no wonder that wireless technology continues to gain popularity for building operators.

For further information please visit www.lightboss.co.uk

Saima Shafi

SMART CITIES: IS YOUR CITY KEEPING UP?

PRODUCT LISTINGS

Electrical installations in both industrial and consumer buildings need to meet the new challenges of our growing power needs. To increase the energy efficiency of buildings, while at the same time integrating consumers into the load compensation, will mean that controlling the switching of electrical devices on or off according to external signals, such as time and consumption, will be vital. www.new.abb.com/smartgrids/ smart-grid-technologies/smarthome-and-intelligent-buildings

ASSA ABLoY is the global leader in door opening solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience.

Since its formation in 1994, ASSA ABLoY has grown from a regional company into an international group with about 46,000 employees, operations in more than 70 countries and sales close to SEK 68 billion.

The Group has a leading position in areas such as access control, identification technology, entrance automation and hotel security. www.assaabloy.co.uk/en/local/uk/

The Bosch Smart Home range includes both Single System products and System Solution products.

Test the range of smart solutions to understand how these products are able to assist you in your daily lives; offering additional comfort, security for peace of mind and energy efficiency, saving you money within your home. Connectivity is more than just technology, it is now part of our every-day lives making life easier and allowing more time for the things that really matter! www.bosch-smarthome.com

Designed to be offered as a service from the ground up. Enabling our channel partners – insurers, telcos and builders - to add value to their core business creating a more intimate relationship with their consumer and B2B customers. The Cozify platform offers complete flexibility in data gathering and utilization. If so chosen, none of the data leaves the Cozify Hub. Alternatively, with consent from end users, the data can be extracted and analysed to support business decision making. www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners

Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space.

In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries.

Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/

Enado has over 15 years of experience in the installation and provision of home automation systems. our multiple award winning platform allows multiple, disparate manufacturer systems and devices in the home, integrated into one solution. Industry standard offering of lighting and energy to facilitate control of multiple consumer electronics devices including satellite receivers, smart tv’s, sky and other satellite boxes. www.enado.com

Energenie is part of Sandal Plc a public listed uK technology company, Sandal Plc is the brand and IP owner of the Mi|Home smart home system. The Mi|Home ecosystem can control heating, lighting and electrical appliances via both plug and play and retro fit actuators, including radiators valves, retrofit wall sockets and retro-fit light switches. The system also includes a range of sensors that are able to control the Mi|Home actuators allowing for a smarter experience. https://energenie4u.co.uk/

eQ-3 Group is one of the leading innovation and technology companies for home control and consumer electronics. eQ-3 provides the largest product portfolio in the industry and has placed more than 21 million wireless home control devices in almost one million households in the market. eQ-3 is the European market leader in smart home with regard to the installed base of whole home solutions and electronic radiator thermostats. www.HomeMatic.com

40 I Winter 2018 I SMArT AuToMATIon

A Fortune 100 company, Honeywell invents and manufactures technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, safety, security, productivity and global urbanization. Our connected portfolio of products, services and software spans multiple industries and is able to deliver end-to-end solutions that improve quality of life for people around the globe. www.honeywell.com

Paxton10 delivers out of the box access control, IP video management and building automation. It interfaces with existing building infrastructure to control lighting, heating, air conditioning, intruder and fire alarms. The system comprises a web-based user interface for easy building management and a selection of discreet hardware. www.paxton10.com

NorthQ is a Danish IoT manufacturer which specializes in developing home automation and energy management solutions. Company’s products serve as an innovative tool to track, control and optimize energy consumption.

Our vision, A New Way of Living, entails responsibility for the environment and conscious decision-making regarding the energy we use on a daily basis.

Our newest product, the Q-Reader is a universal meter reader providing real-time data from various electricity, gas, heat, and water meters. www.northq.com

EcoStruxure™ With Innovation At Every Level, we are redefining power and automation for a new world of energy. We operate in over 100 countries with around 144,000 employees worldwide. www.schneider-electric.com

Building technology with its integrated disciplines such as building automation, fire safety, security, lighting, and lowvoltage power distribution is often indispensable and forms the heart of a Total Building Solution from Siemens. www.buildingtechnologies. siemens.com

Trend is one of the world’s leading Building Energy Management Systems manufacturers, with a worldwide distribution and support network covering over 50 countries.

Its fully integrated control solutions are able to meet the most complex requirements of modern buildings. www.trendcontrols.com

Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Homes. The Viva Smart Home Platform is a turn-key white label platform that uses artificial intelligence to learn family behaviour and automatically programme smart home services.

Service Providers can launch plugand-play products and services, like home security, heating, lighting and home protection, which improve family life for everyday living rather than being a throwaway gadget. www.meetviva.com

PRODUCT LISTINGS

With subsidiaries and representative offices in 11 countries, FERMAX is placed among the most important brands in the world. At Fermax, we have been cultivating our passion for design, technology and innovation for the past 65 years. www.fermax.com

Desigo – the state-of-the-art building automation system One system for all requirements of an intelligent building

siemens.com/desigo