Industry opinion Smart thinking
Intelligent building technology can make a signifi cant contribution to energy saving – and can also offer new opportunities for electrical contractors, says Iain Gordon, president of KNX UK
T
here has never been a better time to consider investing in intelligent building controls to conserve energy. With the compounded effect of short term energy price rises and the projected shortage in
energy supplies within the next fi ve years, the need for energy control and conservation at a building level has never been more important. The EU directive for 20 per cent reductions in green house gases and energy use is now less than nine years away, and another one per cent per year thereafter for 30 years is to follow. It is a considerable and also very real demand. As a consequence, there is an opportunity for businesses that can assist owners of the country’s building stock to achieve current levels and set in place systems to maintain further reductions as time progresses.
Intelligent buildings The term ‘Intelligent building’ has different meanings to different people, but generally is considered to describe properties where owners, occupiers or managers have full and integrated control over their everyday working or living environment. This means that all, or some, of the building’s services – such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security, metering, blinds, windows, façades and AV systems – can be controlled to the requirements of the user and interact with each other accordingly. Intelligent building technology is integrated within the buildings functions at either the construction phase or during refurbishment and is designed to achieve the required level of functionality. Suitable systems can make a signifi cant contribution to energy conservation and, additionally, should offer a sustainable solution whereby it will not become obsolete or be outmoded, and can adapt as the building ages and new technologies are introduced. The fi rst thing most people consider with a new energy
conservation-based solution is how long it will take to pay for itself. It has frequently been proven that with an intelligent building controls solution, payback is considerably quicker than with many other energy-based installations, partly due to the high capital costs some generation solutions involve, but also as a result of some instant benefi ts that building control can deliver. Research has shown that there can be more than 50 per cent savings on all building functions’ energy
use when using a KNX intelligent building controls system, compared to conventional multi-platform systems that are not connected. Payback can be in years and not decades. Also, there are the ongoing energy savings achieved as new end technologies that can be supported on the existing controls network are implemented. Smart metering is an example of a new requirement supported on existing KNX infrastructure without the need for expensive re-wiring.
We all talk about sustainability in
relation to building projects, but what about sustainability of business?
Business sustainability We all talk about sustainability in relation to building projects, but what about sustainability of business? As electrical contractors, the types of works we implement have changed dramatically in the last decade. Smart metering, photovoltaics, power factor correction, electric vehicle charging and many other types of energy management and production are the current market-leading technologies. Over the next 10 years, these and other radical technologies are going to be upon us and capable of providing solid revenue streams for businesses prepared to adopt the new systems. Specialised skills
attract higher prices, and a company working within the intelligent building controls sector with systems such as KNX can expect a considerable uplift in margins. Intelligent building control technology is inherent to
About the author
Iain Gordon Iain Gordon is president of KNX UK and is the owner of GES Digital. KNX UK promotes KNX technology and its members, and provides support and training programmes. Full details of the KNX UK Association are available from KNX UK, PO Box 4082, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 9EQ. Tel: 0845 8695908. Email:
admin@knxuk.org Website:
www.knxuk.org
the electrical installation. The chances are you have to run in cabling for HVAC contractors, plumbers, window companies and other control systems within the building. Initially partnering with an existing systems integrator and then investing in one of your electricians, you can take the electrical system under control and give the building and your customer what we all really expect to be able to deliver in these times – intelligent, integrated buildings. You possibly already have very robust relationships with main contractors, consultants and engineers and, as a vast majority of projects are still awarded as design build, you can offer systems within the design process of the build. These are exciting times, with technology advancing at
astonishing rates. As consumers, we are adapting and, as companies, we can address the consumer’s needs without the need for major changes to how we work. Sceptics are only late adopters – but the technologies are here to stay.
July 2011 ECA Today 17
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 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72