BSEE_June09_p21:Layout 1 15/5/09 08:50 Page 21
K N X U P D AT E
Putting the intelligence into
MediaCityUK
By Hugh Whalley, general manager for EnTech
M
ediaCityUK is heating, air conditioning, achieve this level of intelligence,
being developed ventilation and security to name systems are required to talk a
by a partnership but a few and delivers massive common language on a
of the Central energy savings. Through KNX common platform. Central to
Salford Urban all of these functions are able to this is an open network, which
Regeneration Company, Peel respond in real time to the consists of devices from
Holdings and Salford City occupants’ needs and usage multiple manufacturers that
Council. This is a major patterns. conform to uniform industry
development for the North of Designers, developers, standards - just as the
England, for the UK as a whole owners and managers of computer industry saw the
and will be of global importance commercial buildings are now development of open-based
as the project will revolutionise turning away from traditional standards.
the media and creative building management systems. The intelligent answer lies in
industries in the North. They are looking towards a system like the KNX solution
Peel Media’s vision is to make intelligent building control being provided by EnTech at
MediaCityUK the largest technologies to provide the MediaCity. KNX enables the
purpose-built media community solution to energy management integration and programming of
in the UK and Europe. Located challenges. But what is an all KNX products from a range
on a 200-acre site at Salford intelligent building? Today it is of manufacturers with complete
Quays on Manchester’s widely accepted as a space interoperability, there is also a
waterfront, MediaCityUK will where all elements are able to range of KNX gateways to
enable creative and digital respond in real time to the integrate into other building switching is provided through secure network was installed (lighting, HVAC), all of which
businesses to thrive in a unique, occupants’ needs and building management systems to allow light sensors, occupancy for all three BBC office operate separately serve only to
collaborative environment. The occupancy patterns (Integrated complete communication sensors and the management buildings. In addition the entire put barriers in place between
project is being developed and Building Technology). For between the mechanical and system. The light fittings report system was split up into so- the customer and the inevitable
managed by Peel Media, and example, the technology can electrical elements within the defects to the management called ‘IP worlds’ and each savings.
the initial 36-acre site regulate the lighting in an office built environment system for rational world connects a certain One of the most popular
represents a £500m to balance the amount of day maintenance. All emergency number of KNX lines. This misconceptions about open
investment. light and artificial light to KNX at MediaCityUK lights are also integrated into project includes a total of 60 networks like KNX is that it will
It’s not surprising then that provide the optimum working In total MediaCityUK will create the KNX-Dali network which KNX IP gateways which are result in higher costs for the
cutting edge open protocol KNX environment. The intelligent seven million sq ft of new and allows for automated testing connected to more than 150 buildings’ owners and
technology, the world wide system can also detect when refurbished floor space for and reporting. lines; this prevents an overload operators. This is incorrect:
standard for building control, people are present in a room business, retail and residential on the bus and offers 20% extra open networks and the
has been placed at the heart of and regulate lighting and/or property, and employment for Benefits of KNX capacity for future expansion. integration of services provide
this development’s intelligent heating appropriately. over 15,000 people. KNX KNX brought a number of All the KNX components were significant cost savings in
control for applications. The potential benefits and technology is being installed in benefits to this project including delivered on pre-wired control capital terms and throughout
return on investment from an the three commercial buildings energy savings of around 40% panels for rational installation. the life cycle of the building.
The KNX solution integrated building are highly at the development – Buildings when compared against One of Peel Holdings’ What’s more, it’s a lot easier
This cutting edge technology tangible and include lower A, B and C. standard switching. There is demands was the monitoring to offer existing stand alone
enables the control and install costs, lower energy The main features of the KNX also a benefit of interoperability and operating of all sub solutions than to educate the
monitoring of all building costs, security, and enhanced system include cross linking of thanks to the standards and systems from a single head end end-user on the integrated
functions including lighting, facilities management. To 10,900 lights over KNX-Dali certifications which are required for each of the three buildings, approach and the benefits.
gateways, cross linking of more by KNX from all manufacturers. ultimately it is envisaged that all We have seen a noticeable
than 150 lines over 60 IP But what is possibly one of three buildings will be shift in the construction market
gateways and the local LAN and the main benefits is the KNX- connected via a fibre backbone when it comes to the adoption
integration of emergency lights DALI interface which offers an to a single management system of intelligent building controls.
into the same KNX-Dali economic and energy efficient which will be achieved via an Our business has grown
gateway. Feedback of error solution which will ultimately OPC server (process control significantly over the last 18
messages and defects from the help to keep the ongoing costs software for window based months and this is largely in
lighting to the building to a minimum. automation systems). response to the market’s
management system is an increasing awareness of the
additional feature which proved Overcoming the distance Breaking down the potential of KNX technology.
to be important to the project. Early on Peel Holdings decided barriers The MediaCityUK project is no
to use an IP backbone for the For those that are yet to be exception. In many respects, we
Efficient lighting control KNX system and to use wide convinced of the benefits of see this project as the dawning
The most economic solution for area network for the Intelligent Building Control, it is of a new age in the market’s
the lighting control system was communication over long likely that their reticence to acceptance of the KNX protocol:
the implementation of Dali distances. This combination adopt KNX technology is all of those involved in the
(Digital Addressable Lighting allows a reliable KNX network influenced largely by ill- specification process have
Interface) standard for the throughout. informed debate in the sector. included KNX because they
digital lighting fixture network A category 6 IP network In addition, the reality of a know that it provides a
technology. 50 Dali ballasts are which offers double redundancy ‘mishmash’ of different systems building’s owners and tenants
connected to a single KNX-Dali and additional backup that operate in today’s with efficiency, sustainability
gateway. Dimming and strategies for a reliable and commercial buildings – and future-proofing.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk
JUNE 2009 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER 21
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52