FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FEATURE LIGHTING THE SMART FACTORY
Central to Industry 4.0, wireless lighting control technology is rapidly reshaping the face of the factory. Andy Davies of Harvard Technology explains how this can reduce energy costs
controls in their facilities. Utilising cloud-based, IoT-enabled,
wireless technology, lighting can be configured, controlled and monitored from one dashboard or Graphic User Interface (GUI) all through a laptop, a tablet or even a smartphone. By the very nature of being wirelessly
enabled, innovative systems allow for a simple and smooth installation and commissioning process, significantly reducing unnecessary stoppages in plant operations and ultimately saving customers money.
When areas are not in use LED luminaries can be dimmed sufficiently to reduce energy costs
A
modern-day industrial revolution is coming. Industry 4.0 represents the
next phase in factory automation, data exchange and connectivity. Central to this revolution is wireless lighting control technology which is rapidly reshaping the face of the 21st century factory and sparking a transformation to enable lighting to become the nerve centre of the Smart Factory. Lighting can have a significant impact on every aspect of a factory’s performance from creating a safe environment in which to operate to employee productivity and ultimately the overall cost of running the facility. Despite this, lighting within industrial
facilities often operates using outdated and ineffective technologies with high- bay fixtures controlled with nothing more than a handful of on-off switches. This not only makes lighting extremely inefficient to control but costly to run with lighting accounting for 80% of a factory’s energy usage. Factories have very specific
requirements for lighting compared with the average commercial building; many have complex and varied layouts containing tall machinery, plant equipment and high racking areas, making lighting a considerable challenge for any facility manager. In addition, lighting is often required 24 hours a day, and the trial is only intensified.
SMARTER LIGHTING, SMARTER FACTORY Facility managers tasked with bringing factory lighting into the 21st century, while reducing energy consumption and
carbon emissions on-site are reaping the benefits from turning to innovative LED Solutions and wireless control solutions. Significant savings can be achieved by making a switch from inefficient metal halide fixtures to LED luminaires. Providing superior levels of efficiency, lengthier life cycles and greater controllability, LED options have the potential to cut electricity costs in factories by as much as 75%.
ENERGY REDUCTIONS Nonetheless, energy reductions remains an objective for managers keen to reap the full benefits of Industry 4.0 technology. As such, forward-thinking factory managers recognise there are now huge opportunities to achieve beyond energy savings, especially as wireless lighting technologies advance in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT). Early generation lighting controls
provided energy savings but were difficult and expensive to fit retrospectively, requiring specialist engineers. Once installed, they were difficult to alter and not well suited to respond to changing occupancy patterns in buildings. Cost, downtime and the complex layout of the factory all deterred factories from adopting such solutions in the past. The new generation of wireless lighting control technology like Harvard Technology’s EyeNut solution are transforming the way factories are lit. Facilities managers swayed by their
simple retrofit capabilities, advanced control options and ease of use are increasingly adopting wireless lighting
ABUNDANCE OF REAL TIME DATA Not only can users gain access to an abundance of real time data on energy consumption, carbon emissions and savings achieved but they can begin to implement further control strategies to enhance energy reductions. Luminaires can be switched or dimmed collectively or individually and scheduled to activate lighting when needed. Information on testing for audit tracking and energy hotspots can be accessed. With accurate mapping of the facility established, enhanced dimming and sensor controls can be implemented. Third-party sensors can also be paired with the solution and used to pinpoint occupied areas and turn on the lights accordingly. Likewise, when areas are not in use LED luminaries can be dimmed sufficiently to reduce energy costs incurred through over lighting. This leads to safer, optimised lighting for the factory, ensuring employee safety.
FUTURE PROOF SOLUTIONS Factory buildings have a higher than normal reliance on machinery and technology leading to higher maintenance costs which are difficult to control. However, one area in which expenses can be reined in is lighting. Intent on avoiding unnecessary energy expenses and workplace accidents, facility managers are realising the benefits that wireless lighting controls can deliver. Harvard Technology has been helping factory managers improve the quality of lighting and reduce energy costs for several years.
Harvard Technology T: 0113 383 1000
www.harvardtechnology.com
FACTORY EQUIPMENT | FEBRUARY 2017 7
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