Smart Automation Magazine Winter 2021

Winter 2021

THE STATE OF ‘SMART’ BUILDINGS How smart is the UK? 8 Industry News The latest news and views from the induftry

30 Smart action Why manufacturers need upgrade BEMS

34 Hyperautomation The tech trend of 2021

38 The future’s smart Energy independence and home automation

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

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

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/ Download the Report today:

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

Grow your business with the global leader The Smart Door Lock Report reveals opportunities for System and Service providers and Retailers.

assaabloy.co.uk/smartreport2016

40 I Winter 2018 I SMArT AuToMATIon

Software Innovations

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

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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 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 © MEB Media Publishing Ltd 2020, all rights reserved.

Contents

30

4 Cover Story - The state of ‘smart’ buildings How smart is the UK?

30 Smart action Why manufacturers should upgrade their BEMS system

8 Product & Industry News The latest news and views from the industry

34 Hyperautomation – what’s the hype?

The tech trend of 2021 is hyperautomation

22 Innovate and automate Smart home technology is more than just talking speakers 26 The full spectrum The right light for cannabis retail provides good vibes for all

38 The future’s smart Energy independence and home automation 42 Plug-and-play power Digital Electricity™ accelerates digital transformation SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 3

COVER STORY

The state of ‘smart’ buildings How smart is the UK? By Jamie Cameron, Director of Digital Solutions at Johnson Controls UK & Ireland

W

e’ve all grown accustomed to hearing about ‘smart’ technology.

Brands now seem to be labelling every new device and gadget out there as smart, without any extra thought as to why it is or isn’t. We have smart watches, smart phones, smart key doorbells – the list could go on forever. The UK smart

4 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

building industry is, unfortunately, heading towards the same fate.

Connected, smart buildings, in London command a 5% ‘digital premium’, enabling building developers to increase revenue on their spaces. The irony is that in reality, most buildings in the UK are not genuinely smart. So why do we hold onto the belief that we live in

such a ‘smart’ world when in reality, we barely scratch the surface?

While there are buildings in the UK that make use of intelligent technologies, they don’t always justify the ‘smart’ tag. The truth is there are no truly smart buildings in the UK – despite many having been labelled as such across the country.

Unfortunately, it takes more than

flashy tech for buildings to earn the ‘smart’ label.

It’s also important to acknowledge that people have had the freedom to adapt their working environment to their own preferences over the past year. This has served to change expectations, and building decisionmakers will now need to convince workers to return to their spaces as offices begin to reopen.

Redefining ‘smart’ Of course, there are buildings with intelligent technologies fitted into them, but the reality is that they’re not being used effectively enough to create a genuinely smart building – one that thinks, responds, and adapts to its occupants’ needs.

This disconnect is the result of implementing smart technologies as point solutions. The sum of all these individual parts does not constitute a smart building. To create a truly smart building, which can command even more than a 5% digital premium, we need redefine what we mean by ‘smart’.

We know that smart buildings bring benefits; two-thirds of business leaders recognise that poor connectivity is detrimental to both work-life balance and mental health, and 81% of companies believe that a well-connected office leads to a better performing business. But ‘well-performing’ is starting to mean something new, with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) concerns now inherently linked to corporate success. To this end, companies are being tasked with the seemingly impossible objective of becoming carbon net-zero. That’s where smart buildings – truly smart ones, that is – come in.

Technologies that we see as smart, like facial recognition on entry, automatic lighting, and app-based temperature control are often seen as ‘enough’ – they wow visitors and do improve employee experience. And ‘smart’ doesn’t need to be confined within the building itself: sensors can be used to gauge the average time people leave the building and provide transport updates, such as transport delays or traffic jams, to optimise employees’ experience even after they leave the building itself. But none of these technologies, smart as they are, are

worth the investment if they don’t actually improve how a building is run, or its impact on people, places and the planet.

The real challenge goes far beyond opening doors and turning lights on and off. It’s about tapping into the building to ensure everyone in it can be productive, healthy, and happy, while leveraging every piece of data the building holds to save costs, bring energy usage down, and help achieve ESG goals. That is the moment when a building becomes smart.

We need to be smart(er) Right now, the data from each of these point solutions is siloed and disconnected. This is preventing building managers, developers and owners from seeing the bigger picture, limiting them to small, incremental changes that don’t help

realise the full potential of their investment in smart.

What’s more, many buildings house multiple tenants, with various needs that are subject to flux at any time. This will become truer than ever as businesses return to offices on a more flexible basis this year.

For some tenants, regular heating will be less essential. Others may require less space or see cleaning requirements become more intensive. For others, the opposite may be true. That said, some things will remain consistent: the need to drive down energy usage, move towards carbon net-zero, and provide an impressive and comfortable experience for occupants. All of this is harder to achieve when a building’s data is sitting in siloes, underutilised and unable to provide a 360-degree view of what a building can really offer.

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 5

To reach this potential, we have to get deep below the surface level of smart technologies to unlock the insights they generate. This happens when we connect smart technology systems together to create an ecosystem/platform for smart solutions, looking at the bigger picture. The data and insights this creates can then be analysed to make vast improvements across a building, and even the whole enterprise.

To make this a reality, the data needs to be connected and easily accessible in the cloud. Then decision makers can analyse the data in its entirety and identify areas of improvement. They can focus this analysis on processes such as maintenance, energy savings and 6 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

sustainable development – wherever needs attention at that time.

Then, they can pinpoint the smart technologies that can make these adjustments autonomously and improve the experience that tenants receive. From these foundations, building and office decision makers can create something which is truly smart.

Looking at the bigger picture Changes to a building’s systems may sound costly, but the reality is many buildings already have the technological foundations in place.

Bringing all of these technologies together can help to transform these places into genuinely smart buildings. Incoming data needs to

be connected to provide the bigger picture for whoever may need it. Decision-makers can use the information available to take the relevant actions, whether they’re smaller scale improvements to regulate building temperature or longer-term considerations to help meet ESG goals.

Faux-smart buildings are able to charge a 5% digital premium, but the benefits of smart buildings go far beyond this. Only when we‘ve achieved truly intelligent building architecture will we begin to realise just how smart the UK can be.

For further information please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/openblue

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

se.com/connected-room-solution SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 7

PRODUCT & INDUSTRY NEWS

Making the most of AI in smart buildings

by Jamie Cameron, Director of Digital Solutions, Johnson Controls UK&I AI is one of the most critical pieces of the smart building puzzle. Without it, a building can barely be described as smart – it enables so much of what building owners and managers rely on to create the safest and most comfortable experiences for their occupants every day.

A building platform should, first and foremost, gather data from the building management system and other smart technologies, to gather data from disparate sources. Then, it should feed this data into a flexible, scalable cloud-based platform that stores it securely and standardises the data. But that still does not make a smart building.

Using a platform with built-in AI is where the real innovation happens. These technologies enable integration and enhanced intelligence across a building or estate – improving building operation for its occupants, from modelling building and equipment performance to factoring building system data and external input like weather or traffic. In turn, this allows for machine learning to continuously optimise spaces within a building to reduce energy spend and waste.

For example, energy efficiency savings can be made from automatically reducing the use of electricity in lowfootfall areas, by monitoring sensors around a building and making real-time decisions based on the insights.

This means that occupants are always comfortable, but the building isn’t wasting precious resources, helping its bottom line and the planet.

Making AI work for you When it comes to smart building technologies, the most 8 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

important aspect is that the technologies work exactly how they need to. This is why AI is such a useful tool – every building manager, operations executive, or health and safety officer can plug into the platform and make decisions based on real-time data. This comes from creating a scalable platform in the cloud, helping monitor and action everything from HVAC to access control to occupant experience to fire detection.

But it’s not just those responsible for the building’s operations who can get hands on with AI. Many smart buildings now put their technology in the hands of each occupant, be that an office worker, teacher, CEO, or nurse.

Smartphone apps, unique to your building or estate, can help guide visitors from A to B, book meeting rooms or operating suites, or inform maintenance when something goes wrong – all from the palm of their hand.

The end goal Implementing the right AI technologies in the right ways can transform how building management businesses operate, aligning them more to a tenant organisation’s business, delivering the experiences occupants need and want, and supporting their own business financially and operationally.

Not only this, making buildings smarter – or smart to begin with – will help overcome some of our toughest challenges, especially the aggressive net-zero and sustainability targets businesses now face. Building platforms that use AI to action data from across a building or estate, will ensure we see real change happen.

EnGenius launches first Wi-Fi 6E access point for SMB market

The EnGenius ECW336 wireless access point is built on Qualcomm® Networking Pro 1210 Wi-Fi 6E platform EnGenius Technologies Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of future-proof enterprise networking solutions, today announced the release of the very first Wi-Fi 6E access point designed for the SMB market.

Featuring the Qualcomm Networking Pro 1210 platform, the ECW336 Wi-Fi 6E indoor ceiling mount tri-band access point has been developed for use in the recently unleashed 6 GHz spectrum.

The EnGenius Cloud ECW336 access point marks the company’s first venture into 6E territory. Experts predict that as many as 500 million Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices will spill onto the market in the next three years, enjoying massive, pristine Wi-Fi real estate.

While the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands offer a total of 560 MHz of spectrum and 27 channels, 6 GHz alone offers 1200 MHz of spectrum and 59 channels.

With its 6E capability, the ECW336 AP easily supports the ever-growing bandwidth demands of densely congested environments such as multi-family units, senior living, student housing, universities, retail, corporate workspaces, resorts, stadiums/arenas, medical centers.

Business professionals and consumers alike will experience breathtaking Wi-Fi connection speeds.

Virtually no more lag or buffering. No more endless delays when downloading. The future of lightning fast, unimpeded Wi-Fi is finally here.

Top Features of the ECW336 Access Point: • Operates in the 6 GHz band, which offers

• • • • • •

interference-free signals and paves the way for innovation.

Can access 14 additional 80 MHz channels or 7 160 MHz super-wide channels to avoid bottlenecks and reach gigabit Wi-Fi. Includes powerful quad-core processor to boost performance exponentially.

Contains three radios (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and now 6 GHz) to support thousands of current and new devices.

Features high efficiency Wi-Fi 6 technology to handle a massive number of connections and deliver better communication.

Comes with 5 Gbps Ethernet port to easily support gigabit wireless speeds and higher user consumption.

Includes new diagnostic tools, spectrum analysis, and real-time channel utilization for greater Wi-Fi performance, enabled by EnGenius Cloud PRO.

The high efficiency of Wi-Fi 6 wireless technology is becoming more prominent in today’s devices, but the true power of these features will now be unleashed in the massive, unexplored 6 GHz realm. Now, users will realize what true gigabit wireless speed really means.

Now is the time to take advantage of this groundbreaking technology. The ECW336 will start shipping worldwide in the first quarter of 2022. For more information on how you can get yours, visit www.engeniusnetworks.eu/promotion/wifi-6e

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 9

Enabling self-powered EnOcean switches in Bluetooth mesh Silvair has just released the new custom Bluetooth mesh specification for the EnOcean Switch Mesh Proxy Server model. This mesh model is a software that translates the messages used by EnOcean self-powered switches to standardized Bluetooth mesh messages.

In other words, it allows anyone to use EnOcean self-powered switches together with Bluetooth mesh devices within the same wireless network to implement “traditional” switch-based control of lighting control systems.

This new model is already implemented in the most recent version of Nordic’s SDK (nRF Connect SDK), but it can also be used separately.

“We have been working on this model for some time and now decided to open the specification to anyone who wants to utilize EnOcean switches in Bluetooth mesh. We believe in lighting democratisation and see Bluetooth mesh as an interoperable technology 10 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

platform”, said Simon Slupik, CTO at Silvair.

“Providing a standardized way to use EnOcean’s self-powered switches within lighting control systems based on Bluetooth mesh significantly simplifies system design and enables unified, interoperable lighting control solutions. We believe that Bluetooth mesh solutions like that of Silvair will play an important role as lighting and IoT data platform and therefore actively support the standardization work”, said Matthias Kassner, VP of Product Marketing at EnOcean GmbH. The EnOcean Switch Mesh Proxy Server is translating the content of Bluetooth data telegrams from EnOcean self-powered Bluetooth switches into standardized Bluetooth mesh messages. The model also enables the configuration of EnOcean switch properties.

The specific behaviour of the model is available at: https://silvair.com/resources/product-documents

Travellers prefer smart properties!

A challenge for Landlords and Holiday Rental services is how to get away from traditional mechanic keys and move into the digital world we live in today. Smart door locks provide a competitive

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Go Smart Renting and forget about keys.

Download free whitepaper today: www.assaabloy.co.uk/smartholidayrental

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 11

Lacuna and Semtech expand LoRaWAN® coverage through IoT to satellite connectivity Companies to collaborate to accelerate Internet of Things (IoT) adoption with affordable and simplified connectivity Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading global supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, today announced a joint initiative with Lacuna Space to further increase coverage and resilience of LoRaWAN® connectivity.

In areas of the world without cellular or Wi-Fi signals, satellites fill connectivity gaps – especially in hard-to-reach areas. Since it is affordable and simple to install, LoRaWAN is the unique standard that is capable of bridging terrestrial networks with worldwide satellite connectivity in order to offer low power ubiquitous connectivity and fills this gap.

“We now have trials and demonstrations underway in many countries and regions that were previously thought to be inaccessible to IoT. Our collaboration with Semtech and the enablement of its LR-FHSS device accelerates IoT adoption for a safer, more resilient and 12 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

resource-efficient world,” said Rob Spurrett, CEO at Lacuna Space. “With this collaboration, we expect to begin commercial services within the first half of 2022.”

The collaboration is built on Long Range Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (LR-FHSS), the latest addition to the LoRaWAN standard. LR-FHSS is unique because it takes up less room on the network, which future-proofs capacity while maintaining low power consumption capabilities – which, in turn, enables affordable and simple satellite IoT platforms.

“The addition of LR-FHSS to the LoRaWAN standard further increases capacity and resilience of ubiquitous connectivity,” said Marc Pégulu, vice president of IoT product marketing and strategy for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “Lacuna’s application of this affordable and simplified technology will further expand access to connection through their satellite technology.”

For more information on how Semtech’s LoRa devices, www.semtech.com/lora

Planon acquires real estate software company COOR Planon, the market-leading Smart Building Management software company, today announced the completion of its acquisition of COOR GmbH, an international group specialised in the development and implementation of software solutions for real estate owners and developers. COOR was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Salzburg, Austria. With the acquisition, Planon is completing its cost-control and financial optimisation offering in the European markets.

COOR’s smart project controlling software for the real estate (RE) industry is designed to plan, control and forecast the development of costs and revenues for all related stakeholders across all phases - at contract level, as well as at project and portfolio level.

COOR offers mobility, cross-company collaboration, networking with enterprise solutions such as ERP, EDM or BI, and centralised information management.

Pierre Guelen, CEO and founder of the Planon Group stated, ‘We are very pleased to welcome COOR to Planon. COOR will be a valuable addition, both to the Reasult RE portfolio and project management software suite we acquired in January 2021 and to our comprehensive Planon property management solutions.

The combination will provide solid, best-in-class opportunities for customers to solve their real estate challenges in every phase of the building lifecycle and at every level of maturity and complexity. We will continue developing COOR’s functionalities, as we have done with previously acquired solutions such as Reasult, SamFM and conjectFM.’ Gerhard Sendlhofer, CEO and founder of COOR, expressed his excitement on the agreement. ‘Joining the fast-growing global Planon Group will provide a firm basis for further growth and development for our company and software suite. Our solutions complement the current Reasult and Planon offering, driving synergy and allowing us to continue delivering innovative products, services and value to real estate owners and developers. It will support them in realising their ambitious projects while maintaining a full, timely overview of the project status and decision-relevant information at all times.’

For further information please visit https://planonsoftware.com/uk/

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 13

ABB powers Red Sea tourism project with smart energy technology ABB has been appointed to ‘power’ the Red Sea Project, Saudi Arabia’s biggest sustainable tourism scheme owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Spanning 28,000 square kilometers, the project is one of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism projects and will bring together the natural world with first class personalized accommodation, across an archipelago of more than 90 islands.

To protect the area’s outstanding natural beauty, the Red Sea Project is committed to environmental sustainability. This includes the regulation of fisheries, removal of invasive species, the creation of conservation zones and the expansion of green and blue habitats to encourage regeneration and carbon sequestration, as well as sympathetic and innovative construction methods.

ABB has started work with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) to supply power systems and digital solutions that will enable the resort to run on 100 percent renewable energy when it opens to the public in 2030. The installation includes 10 System pro E power Low Voltage synchronization panels, rated 2500 up to 6300 Amps, which will generate 36MW power out of the 69 generators that will be installed at the Red Sea site.

This use of smart low voltage synchronization panels will be supported by ABB Ability™ Energy and Asset Manager, a state-of-the-art cloud solution that integrates 14 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

energy and asset management in a single intuitive dashboard. This integrated digital solution will provide the resort’s facilities team with total visibility on how their assets and the electrical system is performing.

Using this real time operational data and analytics will provide insights to make informed decisions that will optimize performance and reduce operating costs.

By monitoring data and taking corrective actions, the solution can reduce unplanned downtime to ensure continuous power supply and save up to 45 percent on operating expenses.

“With its outstanding performance, modularity and compact design, ABB’s System Pro-E power technology is a perfect solution for this high-profile scheme. Our ABB Ability™ digital solution will provide real time visibility of the system’s performance, which will help to minimize cost and risk while maximizing performance and safety across the entire operation”, said ABB’s Product Marketing Director for Smart Power, Ahmed Waheedeldin. “We are delighted that ABB has been selected as a trusted partner for this truly innovative project, which will help set new standards for the digitalization of sustainable power when it opens in 2030.”

For further information please visit https://global.abb/group/en

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S M A RSTM H OTMH EO M E AR

ABB-free@home® ABB-free@home® Making home automation Making home automation BB-free@home® easier than ever. easier than ever. aking home automation asier than ever.

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University of Birmingham partners with Siemens to create the smartest university campus in the world The University of Birmingham, in partnership with Siemens, is combining digital sensor and analytics technologies, artificial intelligence, decentralized energy generation and storage, renewable energy and concepts that help change users’ behaviour to transform the university’s Edgbaston and Dubai campuses into the world’s smartest global campus, creating a ‘Living Lab’ where research, teaching and learning all benefit from access to new data and connectivity.

The ‘Living Lab’ will capture data from the university’s building technologies, estates infrastructure and energy plants and use it for innovation, R&D activities, as well as teaching. Scrutinizing energy demand and production – from systems to individual consumers/producers (prosumers) – with live data from across the sites provides a unique opportunity for applied learning for students and creates a platform for cutting-edge research.

Siemens will sponsor a team of PhD studentships at the university based in the UK and Dubai. Their research projects will be co-designed by Siemens and the university to address important challenges in data, technology, urban systems and the net zero goal.

This year, the University of Birmingham will become the first university in the world to roll out Internet of Things (IoT) technology at scale. Starting in autumn 2021, the first phase of this major energy efficiency project will include the roll out of 23,000 Enlighted IoT sensors across the university estate.

“As one of the largest universities in the UK – with a global community of more than 38,000 students – the university is already an energy prosumer and these technologies will be further optimized in the system we are now working on together,” said Matthias 16 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

Rebellius, managing board member of Siemens AG and CEO of Smart Infrastructure. “Partnerships like this are extremely important for gathering new insights, testing and developing new technologies and creating efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure. The university’s campus in Dubai will be a global example of sustainability at the rescheduled Dubai Expo 2020.”

Professor Tim Jones, Provost and Vice-Principal of the University of Birmingham, explained the university’s ambitious vision: “Our goal is to deliver the campus of the future, using cutting-edge technologies to make our campuses in Edgbaston and Dubai the smartest globally. This will enhance our student experience, create new research and innovation opportunities, whilst significantly reducing our carbon footprint. As we approach COP26 in Glasgow this autumn, it is clear we are into the ‘decade of delivery’ for NetZero targets.

University-industry strategic partnerships, such as ours with Siemens, are important for helping to identify pathways for turning targets into reality.”

In addition, Siemens will deliver a 10-year bureau for Energy and IoT services to ensure that the university reaps the full potential of both the technology and industry expertise. The university has already made significant progress in making its operations more sustainable, including achieving its 2020 target of reducing carbon emissions by 20 percent.

It is constantly looking to improve the environmental performance of its buildings including a reduction of 2,856 tons of CO 2 annually, equivalent to five percent of the university’s current emissions.

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

Smart controls boom drives efficiency innovations

As Statista research predicts the smart home sector will grow by 15.06% each year to a projected market volume of £9.249bn by 2025, a polymer specialist has upgraded its smart temperature control system to satisfy growing demand.

To meet this demand amid the boom across residential, commercial and mixed-use buildings, the latest upgrades to the NEA SMART 2.0 have been made to help contractors and developers deliver efficiency on each project.

As building use and occupant habits change over time, the device also gives continued flexibility and adaptability to contractors and consultants to futureproof developments while the smart home market grows, as Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, explains.

Franz says: “As we see offices and shops being converted into homes and flexible working spaces, the way we use buildings is changing more than ever, and with that so are occupant temperature requirements.

“In the wake of sustainability and renewable energy targets and changes in legislation, futureproofing buildings in terms of efficiency and environmental credentials must be prioritised no matter the building type. With the latest upgrades to NEA SMART 2.0, we are looking to assist contractors and consultants with ensuring all buildings meet efficiency requirements no matter the use, while satisfying the growing demand for smart controls long into the future.”

Suitable for new build and retrofitting for up to 60 rooms, the NEA SMART 2.0 uses an intelligent algorithm

to regulate temperature and improve efficiency. Data learnt from occupant habits, in addition to remote sensors installed indoors and outside for weather compensation, allows the system to reach the desired end user temperature without excessive demand on the energy source.

To further help with efficiency demand, an optimised start feature has now been integrated. This begins to heat or cool ahead of the programmed time to reach the desired temperature in a controlled way to make sure the space is comfortable for occupants at the right time without excessive energy usage. A manual and automatic boost function is also available should the desired temperature need to be reached sooner.

Franz added: “Energy efficiency and driving down running costs are key requirements of all end users, residential or commercial, and developments in government legislation is only going to increase this priority. Consultants and contractors are now required to deliver buildings that facilitate this need for efficiency and sustainability long into the future.

“These upgrades will hopefully provide them with an easy to install and flexible system that lowers energy costs in a variety of building types. The smart home market is constantly growing, and we are optimistic that with these additional features, the NEA SMART 2.0 will continue to satisfy growing demand for this technology long into the future.”

For more information about the NEA SMART 2.0 smart control solution, please visit www.rehau.uk/neasmart SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 17

Home Automation to enjoy

Awnings

Ventilation Cooling

Power Supply

Heating

domin iu m home management

Lighting

Honeywell’s NGC series limit switch

Honeywell continues to design and develop innovative sensors and switches that contribute to improved automation given the ever-changing environment of production and distribution The pandemic put renewed emphasis on the need for robotics in warehousing applications such as picking, sorting, moving pallets and other tasks. According to market research conducted by Mordor Intelligence LLP, 45% of all manufacturing tasks will be executed via robotic technology by 2025 with the use of robotics expected to grow 12%, year over year.

The growth is driven by a surge in retail shipments which were up 25% during the pandemic, and a growing demand from supply chain leaders to improve logistics and automate with robotics technology. Robots are not necessarily new in this space, but the pandemic put renewed emphasis on the need for them. Robotics use during COVID served different roles and met new needs proving how integral these machines are to the industry’s success. Studies show that facilities who made some type of transition to automation fared best during the pandemic. Robotics use cases in warehousing and the packaging industry helped to protect workers, improve efficiency, decrease operational errors, and made facilities more flexible.

In short, the pandemic drove changes­­— online shopping surged, warehouse and distribution center operations experienced explosive growth, and our aging workforce is leading to a labor shortage. These factors caused an uptick in demand for more robots and equipment to be used in these environments as a valuable resource.

Warehouse logistics and processes are complex

operations. Honeywell helps to make them more productive and efficient. We provide reliability, precision, and security to our customers by creating quality switches and sensors designed to perform in these applications.

Honeywell’s NGC series limit switch, for example, can be used on robotic arms to ensure accurate movements and to prevent breakage from overtravel. Its compact size with metal housing options and 50g shock and 10g vibration ratings make it an ideal fit for small spaces in harsh or unpredictable environments. Both single pole, double throw and double pole, double throw circuitry are available without compromising the housing size or mounting footprint. And at 5M mechanical life cycles, the NGC can help to keep running time high and maintenance costs low. The NGC carries global approvals and with its wide variety of configurable actuators and terminations, it allows flexibility in design.

Honeywell continues to design and develop innovative sensors and switches that contribute to improved automation given the ever-changing environment of production and distribution. The surge in e-commerce prompted by the impact of the pandemic should continue. Honeywell stands ready to assist this growth with products and components used in robotics applications as well as any automation applications that accompany this surge in e-commerce. With advanced products that enable flexibility for all environments, the Honeywell product portfolio offers a smart selection of assets for this market niche, now and into the future.

For further information visit www.ttieurope.com

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 19

Intelligent Building Europe 2022: Registration now open Registration for Intelligent Building Europe 2022, taking place from 17-19 May 2022 at ExCeL London, has officially opened.

After almost three years apart, Intelligent Building Europe returns alongside the Facilities Show, reconnecting the entire smart building supply chain, in person in London.

Intelligent Building Europe brings together end users, facilities managers, installers, integrators, consultants and building services engineers together to explore cutting-edge smart building technology and discover the latest industry trends.

Enjoy networking opportunities ranging from breakfasts and drink receptions to closed-door roundtable discussions.

Learn Attracting large audiences, seminars help property managers, FMs and asset owners stay on top of the future of the office and the very latest innovations in sustainability, efficiency and government legislation.

Don’t miss it – get your FREE ticket!

Why attend Intelligent Building Europe 2022?

Discover Speak to the experts and assess thousands of products all under one roof, such as access control, energy management, intrusion detection, wired and wireless connectivity and more.

Experience Immerse yourself in our unique, fully equipped, life-size smart building environment and see how the most innovative and interactive technology can bring together facilities management, security, fire safety and wellbeing in one place.

5 shows. 1 ticket.

Make the most out of your trip to the ExCel and benefit from cross learning and networking opportunities across 5 co-located shows - IFSEC International, Safety & Health Expo, FIREX International, Facilities Show & Intelligent Building Europe - all included in your ticket.

Reconnect Make up for lost time by reconnecting, learning and sharing with the ensure smart buildings supply chain.

You can now book your free ticket online at www.intelligentbuildingeurope.com/

20 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

SMART HOME TECHNOLOGY

Innovate and automate Smart home technology is more than just talking speakers - it’s about protecting what matters most by Craig Foster, CEO, LeakBot

T

he proliferation of smart home technology has brought about futuristic advancements in the way we experience technology within the home. From smart speakers which note down your shopping, video enabled doorbells or a locking device that responds to your voice, home automation is the futuristic trend gripping consumers.

22 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

However, this technology is not only limited to what can be seen or spoken to. In fact, many truly effective smart home innovations are those that perform functions in the background protecting what is most dear to us – the home itself.

According to LeakBot’s research, escape of water is now the single biggest driver of home insurance claims in the UK. What’s more, with

gas shortages and supply chain issues likely to send the cost of living in an unfavourable direction the last thing anyone needs is preventable water damage to their homes. Hidden escape of water is a very common problem in British homes with over 40% of homeowners having faced domestic water leaks, a very costly problem to resolve with the average insurance claim reaching more than

£2,500.

IoT technology and telematics provides the base to empower devices, and therefore people, to make changes and prevent damage to their homes. Revolutionary smart home technology can now make water leaks a thing of the past, all whilst saving homeowners thousands on their insurance premiums. This is just one example, out of many, where automation in the home is serving a protective purpose.

Innovate and automate Over the past half decade, products which focus on home protection

have proven to be some of the most innovative in the smart home space. Motion detecting security systems which turn on your lights upon the detection of an intruder, kitchen appliances which send you notifications to prevent overheating or smoke detectors which shut down the HVAC system upon detection of a threat are just a few successful examples. The factor that unites each of these products is an attention to basic scientific principles that keep a home functioning or may pose a threat. The patented Thermi-Q technology within a LeakBot is no exception.

A leak, however small, will draw cooler water from the mains supply and therefore cause a consistent drop in temperature throughout the entire system. Once clipped onto a mains water pipe, the sensor can accurately measure both air and pipe temperature and provide a constant stream of data to a mobile app. If a leak in the system appears, the prolonged and consistent drop in temperature is picked up by the sensor.

Even a small leak in a pipe some distance away from the sensor will cause a drop in temperature at the mains pipe, hence why the LeakBot

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 23

is able to detect and alert you to the potential problem and protect an entire home. Once this problem emerges, the user is notified via their mobile app and a professional can be brought in to find and fix the issue.

Building a product that is trusted by the insurance industry Whilst the innovative design and automating capabilities might be the most eye-catching element of protective smart home technology, they can also offer another key benefit: lowering insurance premiums.

For home insurers, insurtech solutions provide a proposition to their business that allows them 24 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

to better manage losses after the uncertainties of the past year.

Telematics products can deliver excellent underwriting results because they allow for far more granular insights into customer policies and their individual risk level. This is why many insurance providers are partnering with smart automation, with some taking steps to make the devices mandatory for their home insurance customers.

They are transforming the insurance market from a protective model to a preventative model.

Technologies such as these also empower the user, by giving homeowners the opportunity to take greater responsibility in the amount

they pay for cover by demonstrating proactive behaviour which will mitigate the risk. In essence, this is a win-win situation for insurers and homeowners alike. The fact that smart automation products can often provide real time information and analysis to users and insurers alike helps to provide a more transparent system of home protection and fairer premiums for homeowners. Smart home technology is at its best when it provides benefits for the homeowner and third parties alike, levelling the playing field through accurate information.

For further information please visit https://leakbot.io

Integrated Building Automation Solutions for System Integrators

LIGHTING

The full spectrum The right light for cannabis retail provides good vibes for all

C

irca 1818 cannabis dispensary is based in Cobourg, Canada. When owner Brandon Hartmann decided to open a locally owned cannabis dispensary in Northumberland County, he knew he wanted the shopping experi- ence to feel organic, highlight the local history and have great lighting to show off what he likes to say “budding feel-good vibes in the feel-good town.”

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“We created this entire store in honor of Cobourg and there are a lot of cool pieces that are a nod back to the community that I’ve lived in for 27-years,” said Brandon Hartmann, owner of Circa 1818.

From the outside to the inside, Hartmann has created a business that incorporates many different things about Cobourg – including the name of the business which is the year Cobourg was named. In order to accomplish the cozy, hometown

feel - the store and lighting design were extremely important.

The Challenge and Solution Circa 1818 offers a wide variety of products, from vapes, pre-rolls, edibles, flowers and drinks. The store design had to be attractive to all types of audiences and environmentally friendly for the cannabis product.

“We’ve got products from people who are just beginning to use

cannabis as well for people who have been using cannabis for their entire life,” says Hartmann.

Well-lit cannabis displays are essential in cannabis dispensaries.

Proper cannabis display lighting can make displays more appealing and lead to more sales. Research indicates that the lighting should be bright, low heat, energy efficient LED lighting without UV. So how does Hartmann choose the proper lighting to show off the cannabis in a healthy environment as well as align with Circa 1818’s store design?

He called on STL Lighting, sales representative to various lighting manufacturers in Canada, to assist him in choosing the right lighting.

Eric Teacher, Specification Sales at STL Lighting has years of experience specifying and designing lighting for hundreds of projects from retail to commercial. Teacher ultimately selected Xicato’s linear and smart

controls. Here’s why.

Solution Xicato’s Flexible Linear (XFL) has CRI above 95 that renders the closest to natural colors to visually enhance the cannabis in the display cases.

Teacher chose the Full Spectrum XFL which has a fuller, wider spectrum of light that more closely matches sunlight. Full Spectrum XFL is designed with violet 420nm LEDs and an appropriate mix of phosphor for pc-white that produces improved spectral performance. The award-winning Full Spectrum XFL is engineered to specifically avoid the hazards of blue light altogether resulting in a healthier light output that promotes wellbeing with a positive impact to people’s circadian rhythm.

Additionally, Teacher designed a completely black light fixture with a regressed lens, which allows

the lighting to blend into the black ceiling when the lights are off for an organic look and feel. The installed lighting fixtures featuring the Full Spectrum XFL are “tunable” which helps with circadian support for staff that work in the early part of the day.

Light can be tuned to the highest CCT value such as 3500K. “The lighting can also be tuned down as low as 2400K, for late afternoon and evening hours in order to be devoid of the blue spectrum and create a more relaxed light environment. We chose this type of lighting by Xicato as it helps to prevent circadian disruption.” - Eric Teacher, Specifications, STL Lighting Xicato’s smart controls allows for the right light level to be maintained based on lux levels in the store depending on the time of day and occupancy. Wireless, app-based controls can be used on all smartphones and provide the store owner

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 27

the ability to control multiple retail locations as the chain grows with minimal financial investment into the future.

Result Overall, the cooler, high quality spectrum of the XFL lighting in the cannabis glass displays brings out the green and blue colors of the buds. The natural light balances out the store environment as it can be “tuned” depending on the light levels throughout the day. This helps 28 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

to visually enhance the cannabis colors making them pop and the buds glisten with the least amount of artificial light as possible.

“I had no idea that STL Lighting and Xicato could actually achieve the design that I desired. The ability to fine-tune the lighting, adapt the color of light to the store environment, and create the best light to highlight the cannabis was all achieved with minimal time and effort. I am thrilled with the results and so are my customers.” - Brandon Hartmann,

Owner, Circa 1818 The lighting is a key element bringing a modern feel to the store design of Circa 1818 and highlighting the artwork and decor that educate visitors on the history of the surrounding region. The added benefit of the XFL lighting is that it helps to provide a healthy environment for both plants and people.

For further information please visit www.xicato.com

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

BUILDING MANAGEMENT

Smart action Smart action: why manufacturers should be looking to upgrade their BEMS system

W

ith technology continuing to transform the way we live and work, manufacturers are increasingly looking at ways in which they can drive efficiencies, ramp up production and lead more sustainable working practices, particularly in light of the challenges faced amongst COVID-19.

One of the key areas within this has been building controls, which has allowed facilities operators to increase throughputs at a time when remote working has replaced traditional working practices.

Keeping day to day operations afloat, Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) are an integral

30 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

unit of automation, with estimates placing the market for their use at a staggering £19.25bn by 2023.

Acting as an interface between the extensive mechanical and electrical equipment all at play within large manufacturing facilities, these interlinked systems can represent up to 70% of a building’s energy usage, placing a huge impetus on maintenance upkeep.

Here, David Barnes, managing director of adi Intelligent Buildings, a division of leading engineering firm adi Group, explains how maintaining BEMS efficiency standards should be at the forefront of manufacturer’s minds, or risk facing unmet efficiency goals and cost-heavy downtime.

A Building Energy Management System, also known as a BEMS, monitors and controls building services including HVAC and lighting, and process related systems such as compressed air, chilled water, and steam. Many systems are fully integrated with building fire, access control and energy monitoring platforms.

With the supply and demand of energy use having been pushed to the maximum throughout the pandemic, particularly in critical manufacturing sectors such as pharmaceutical and food and beverage, it makes perfect sense for businesses, manufacturers, and workplaces to be utilising a

BEMS, one which can maintain and dictate process efficiency to drive sustainable operational goals.

However, operational infrastructure can become an element of neglect, particularly when demand hits critical production points. Statistics show that improperly configured BEMS systems can account for 20% of building energy usage. To minimise this financial burden, it is imperative business owners understand why they should treat these systems as integral elements of maintenance and upgrade. Here’s more on why: Improves energy efficiency Many businesses and industries, as well as individuals, are working towards leading a more sustainable lifestyle – a BEMS system can be a major contributing factor to this vision.

Buildings that use these systems are approximately 22% more efficient than those without, yielding both financial and environmental benefits.

If your BEMS is outdated or no longer working as it should, this can cause it to become inefficient, negatively impacting energy efficiency goals and the environment as a result.

By updating or upgrading your BEMS, manufacturers can ensure their environments improve or maintain energy efficiency.

Remain up to date Just like any other piece of software or technology, a BEMS can go out of date. And not in the way of an expiry date.

For many businesses, a BEMS is an inherent part of production, particularly for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers, who must ensure that their products are stored at certain temperatures and produced in the correct climates.

Without being updated or upgraded, a BEMS can increase service costs, decrease comfort levels and result in failed production, leading to further financial burden and implications for businesses.

In addition, older systems can represent a cyber security risk being run on older software platforms.

Why wait until your current system fails, or lacks in reliability to update it? By regularly servicing

your BEMS, and planning for upgrades, you stay one step ahead of the curve and minimise operational loss.

Increases productivity BEMS also provide environmental controls, and the environment in which people work can have a huge effect on comfort, productivity, and wellbeing.

Whatever industry or sector you work in, this is definitely something to consider.

If employees aren’t comfortable and are working in environments that are too warm or too cold, this could have a negative impact on the business.

A report published by Savills and The British Council for Office shows that 48% of people believe that the office can positively influence their mood and mental health, with temperature being one of the most important factors. Like the products that are being developed, employees also need to operate within comfortable climates to be at their best, which is where a fully functioning and operational BEMS can come into play to dictate temperature matters.

Common mistakes to avoid Whilst there are various ways in which a BEMS can benefit a business or manufacturer when upgraded, there are also a few things to consider beforehand.

Consider the complete system.

When a BEMS begins to fail, many customers will start to consider the upgrade, gathering costs to replace the BEMS controllers without looking at the complete system and original installation.

If, for example, the original BEMS was installed 20 years ago, then it is likely that wiring, control panels, the associated field equipment (sensors, valves, actuators) and plant (HVAC), may also be of the same age.

Replacing the BEMS controllers, without replacing faulty valves and actuators, will provide minimal benefit. Not considering the condition of existing wiring and control panels may also result in health and safety implications.

Here are some more mistakes to avoid: Don’t assume you must upgrade to the same system In some sense, moving to the latest platform of an existing system may seem like a natural next step - the manufacturer may have the tools and processes to make it a smoother and more cost-effective route.

However, by employing the help of a BEMS expert, you will be able to consider a number of systems and find the best one to suit your building requirements.

As with any kind of market (and particularly technology) the needs and wants of today evolves at such at rapid pace, that the architecture to support it can either fall behind

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 31

or scale accordingly. Speak to your BEMS advisor to understand which providers are operating with a high degree of productivity, return on investment and enhanced security for your business conditions.

Not considering a change in business needs Naturally, the needs of businesses can change, alongside building layouts, and this is even more apparent after the recent coronavirus pandemic. For example, was your cold storage originally maintained to six, but is now 12 degrees? However subtle or small over the years, enhancements or condition changes affect plant loading and control strategies, and therefore need to be taken into account to ensure the ongoing efficiency of your building.

Waiting for it to break Don’t just wait for your BEMS to break.

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Businesses should plan and prepare for an upgrade and should always think ahead. Consider your business plans, goals and changes, and then see where your current BEMS fits in and when it will be best to fit in an update. Naturally, a business may plan three to four years ahead at a time, so why not take into account your BEMS in this objective mix?

The future of BEMS Going forwards, most, if not all businesses have been impacted by Covid-19, with business needs and requirements having changed quite dramatically.

Whilst many industries and businesses have adapted to new ways of working, they must too, adapt the way in which they choose to control and monitor their environments.

Particularly for food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and

educational sectors, BEMS will take centre stage, playing a huge part in each industry’s development.

It is no longer enough to make do, or to anticipate failures in technology.

We must think ahead, plan for the future and work to a continual upgrade pattern, rather than be averse to change.

And, alongside the wider adi Group, adi Intelligent Buildings can support more detailed upgrades, as well as provide the mechanical and electrical expertise manufacturers require.

With the ability to spot and recognise issues, we have the capacity to supply first-class solutions across a variety of sectors.

So, make changes now, to ensure a safer, more efficient future for all.

For further information please visit www.adiltd.co.uk/divisions/adiintelligent-buildings

CONNECTING DESIGNERS OF SMART BUILDINGS WITH THOSE WHO OPERATE THEM

Creating smart, efficient and sustainable environments Intelligent Building Europe provides a platform to explore cutting-edge smart building technology and discover the latest industry trends.

Bringing together end users, installers, integrators, consultants and building services engineers, these events provide an unmissable opportunity to connect with the entire smart buildings supply chain.

GET YOUR FREE TICKET AT WWW.INTELLIGENTBUILDINGEUROPE.COM

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AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY

Hyperautomation – what’s the hype?

According to Gartner, the tech trend of 2021 is hyperautomation — a business approach of automating as many processes as possible

G

artner predicts that, by 2024, hyperautomation will help organizations reduce operational costs by 30 per cent. Successful execution of hyperautomation promises increased efficiency and reduced costs, but what are the barriers to pulling it off? Here Johan Jonzon,

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CMO and co-founder of pioneer in edge analytics and integration, Crosser, explores.

There are a number of reasons why a business may strive for hyperautomation. For instance, it may be to increase productivity to keep up with rising demand without the rapid expansion of factory floor space

and employees. Hyperautomation can also come to the rescue in a business whose IT team is unable to keep up with accumulating projects due to lack of resources or knowledge.

It also helps meet regulatory compliance, as automated processes have a higher level of consistency and minimize the possibility

of human error. In addition, hyperautomation provides a way to update outdated work processes that are resulting in latency.

Benefits and barriers Adoption of hyperautomation is expected to surge across a variety of industries, including manufacturing.

In IT terms, hyperautomation involves automating data workflows — the sequence of steps that process a set of data to produce a particular outcome.

In a traditional manufacturing model, there can be a high number of steps needed to complete a task, which often require human intervention. For example, for a robot to produce a part, an IT expert may have to create the relevant code, and then a facility engineer program the machine to carry out the appropriate actions.

In contrast, an organization that embraces hyperautomation can integrate the robot with any type of system to enable machine to machine communication. The automated intelligent workflows between systems can be viewed and managed through an overseeing platform. This enables the machine data to be the trigger for data flow automations within the whole industry network, from shop floor to top floor.

The goal of a hyperautomation strategy is to eliminate any unnecessary steps in the process of completing a task and automate those remaining. This streamlines business processes, reducing the need for human intervention.

Automating data workflows reduces the workload for IT teams, and increases overall business efficiency.

Once automated, the workflows can easily be managed in a single digital

platform.

However, there are still several barriers that prevent organizations from implementing a hyperautomation strategy, including lack of knowledge. Firstly, some business leaders aren’t aware of the advantages of hyperautomation, and thus don’t consider it a key goal in their future plans. For those that are eager to implement hyperautomation, they may not know how or where to begin.

Another barrier is that manufacturers may find it difficult to adopt a hyperautomation mindset out of a fear of complexity. Automating masses of business data processes can seem like a daunting task to industrial business leaders, taking an immense amount of time and requiring a skilled IT team to implement. However, with the right tools, hyperautomation can become

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 35

a simple yet highly effective way to improve business operations.

When machines talk This is why Crosser has expanded the capabilities of its edge analytics Crosser Platform to create a simple intelligent automation platform — the Crosser IPA. It’s the first true hybrid hyperautomation platform that empowers industrial and asset rich

Johan Jonzon

businesses to automate everything, from shop floor to top floor.

The platform is capable of real time analytics and advanced logic powered by a library of pre-built modules, also suitable for AI and ML. It supports over 700 systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and any manufacturing execution system (MES). The hybrid nature of the platform means business

leaders can run intelligent workflows anywhere, including at the edge, on premise in a private cloud or hosted

by Crosser.

As it is a low code platform with a simple drag and drop system of modules, the software can be worked on by anyone in the business.

With the need for an extensive IT team with coding and developing experience removed, businesses can accelerate their hyperautomation journey.

Hyperautomation holds a range of benefits, including increased efficiency and decreased IT workload, but several barriers prevent widespread adoption. By implementing a data driven strategy through using a centralized low code platform supporting hybrid installation of automated processes, business leaders can overcome obstacles such as limited IT resources to successfully integrate hyperautomation.

Crosser has announced the launch of its hyperautomation solution, the Crosser IPA. Sign up for a free trial at www.crosser.io

36 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

TAKE COMFORT IN YOUR HONEYWELL CONNECTED HOME.

Comfort, safety, security.

It’s in your hands.

HOME AUTOMATION

The future’s smart Energy independence and home automation

H

ow can home automation help fight climate change and provide total energy independence? We spoke with Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, to find out more.

When we think about technology changing the world, we might think of an incredible new medical device, innovative robotics, a new smartphone or global IT infrastructure, but how many of us think of our homes?

From smart bulbs and smart décor to zoning, touchless controls,

38 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

security doorbell systems and automated shading, our homes are becoming more convenient, more comfortable, more sustainable and more personalised through technology. But with our homes getting smarter and greener, shouldn’t we have transport to match?

The market for electric and hybrid vehicles is growing substantially.

Innovation and adoption are being spurred by increasingly ambitious legislation (like the UK’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles), as well as growing public concern

around climate change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 2020 saw more than 10 million new EVs registered on the world’s roads – an impressive 43% year-onyear rise.

While this growth is impressive, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are still a very small part of the global market. The hope is that adoption will increase as the technology and manufacturing mature, thus lowering prices. So, if EVs are really set to go mainstream, what about charging?

We know that EVs have no tailpipe emissions, which means no CO2, but how can we ensure that we are charging our cars with cleaner energy? Of course, much of that depends on the local power grid and market – more specifically, the source of energy generation in your country or region. This is, unfortunately, almost entirely out of your control. There are, however, alternatives.

At the forefront of the energy independence and smart home revolution are companies like myenergi. Based in the UK, myenergi’s vision is to inspire the eco-smart connected home of tomorrow. Since its founding in 2016, the company has grown substantially to more than 200 skilled employees thanks to its innovative tech and high-quality, UK-made products.

“In the beginning, we were really driven by the idea to optimise renewable energy use at home,”

explains Brompton. “We saw the rise of electrification and evolution of public sentiment and knew that we needed to design, develop and manufacture innovative products that would help facilitate this shift.”

As people around the world became increasingly interested in EVs, Brompton and co-founder, Lee Sutton, saw an opportunity. With the vast majority of early adopters interested in becoming more sustainable and environmentally responsible, many had already invested in some form of at-home renewable energy generation, usually solar. This lay the foundation for myenergi’s pioneering zappi device.

The first EV charging device on the market capable of harnessing power from renewable energy micro-generation technologies, such as home photovoltaic (PV) panels and small-scale wind turbines, zappi allows drivers to charge their vehicles with 100% renewable

energy.

“We have always taken a very consumer-centric approach to decarbonisation,” continues Brompton. “With zappi, we realised that a sustainable smart home should not only power itself but also our personal transport. With a number of smart charging modes and many automated features, we ensured that zappi was able to optimise charging based on vehicle usage patterns, the current energy market and home renewable energy generation.”

Brompton points out that this automated optimisation is vital for the future of the energy grid and a fundamental criterion for smart chargers. By adjusting charge scheduling around energy market demands and local generation, any impact of EV charging on the grid can be minimised and use of home renewables maximised.

But it’s not just EV charging that the myenergi team are addressing.

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 39

Indeed, they offer a growing number of automated home energy solutions, including eddi, harvi and hub to give homeowners complete energy independence through easily installed, straightforward solutions.

Jordan Brompton

40 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

“If we want people to become more sustainable and conscious of energy use, we need to provide easy solutions – that means automation,” explains Brompton. “Through automated energy management, we can make energy independence both accessible and an enjoyable experience – after all, why shouldn’t it be? By combining high-quality British-made hardware with clever software and intuitive interfaces, we have been able to remove much of the hassle and reduce user apprehension.” myenergi’s eddi device is an eco-smart energy diverter that allows homeowners to make the most of their solar PV and wind generation. Rather than exporting surplus renewable energy back to the grid, eddi diverts it to your home’s heating systems – providing hot water and heating for your home with 100% self-generated green energy.

To make the installation

process for eddi and zappi simpler, myenergi developed the harvi energy monitoring wireless sensor, which allows both devices to be safely installed without a current transformer (CT) clamp. To provide total oversight and control, myenergi designed hub, a device that allows you to monitor and control all of your myenergi products remotely from anywhere in the world.

The idea of smart, automated systems that use the sun’s energy to power and warm your home while recharging your zero-emission vehicle is a real game-changer.

However, it’s not a vision for the future, it’s available to us today.

Through leading-edge renewable technology, connectivity and automation, systems and products like those developed by myenergi are ready to revolutionise our both our homes and our mobility.

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

REUNITING THE FM COMMUNITY

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SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 41

POWER MANAGEMENT

Plug-and-play power

V

Digital Electricity™ accelerates digital transformation for today’s Smart World

oltServer uses standard data cables and endpoint transformation to efficiently deliver significant power safely across long distances Global digital transformation is well underway, driven by artificial intelligence, a rapidly maturing 5G wireless network and Internet of Things (IoT) systems that deploy billions of intelligent edge sensors to send real-time data to the cloud.

But have you ever stopped to wonder how we will power all of these devices and technologies?

VoltServer, Inc., an East Greenwich, R.I., manufacturer of power distribution products, is changing the future of energy

42 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

delivery with its unique, patented Digital Electricity™ technology that safely transmits up to 2kW of power across long distances (up to 2km) using low-cost, off-the-shelf data cables.

The VoltServer Digital Electricity™ platform allows for controlled power distribution that is safe, less expensive, faster to install, more energy efficient, and meets the needs for an increasingly digital world.

To date, VoltServer has been deployed in hundreds of marquee venues including stadiums, airports, convention centers, office towers, hotels, condominiums, hospitals and indoor gardens, powering 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi wireless communications, LED

lighting and IoT applications.

Harnessing power one pulse at a time What exactly is Digital Electricity™?

Digital Electricity is a line powering system, which is a means of energizing remote equipment from a centralized location over structured copper cable. It safely runs highvoltage power over lightweight data cable and delivers low current downstream to power loads. It’s a natively digital form of electricity transmission that can be considered a third power format in addition to the AC and DC formats that were first harnessed nearly 150 years ago.

How does it work? VoltServer takes conventional electricity and

breaks it into small pulses, or “energy packets.” Each packet is sent to a receiver from a transmitter that contains local, embedded processing. Each energy packet is analyzed using a digital signal processing engine to determine that power is being precisely and safely distributed. If a fault is detected, the next energy packet is not sent. Each packet contains only a very small amount of energy, so individually they are not harmful to people, animals, systems or buildings. The receiver converts Digital Electricity back into analog AC or DC to power local loads.

Each packet of electricity is sent to a receiver from a transmitter.

Each packet contains only a very small amount of energy and is checked for safety. Each packet is not harmful to people, animals, systems, or buildings. The VoltServer products are listed and certified to safety and EMC standards by a Nationally Recognized Test Laboratory.

“Imagine a powerful stream of water sent through your plumbing.

If a pipe were to burst, the high pressure could injure someone.

Instead, break the stream down into millions of droplets,” explained VoltServer co-founder and CEO, Stephen Eaves. “The droplets can be put back together to get the amount of water needed, but each droplet of water is safe. Digital Electricity is similar by only putting a small amount of energy in packets. Each packet becomes safe, but the total power needs can still be met.”

Digital energy enables plug-and-play power sources Because of its inherently safe energytransfer design, the VoltServer Digital Electricity™ platform can send power over a distance up to 2,000 meters using off-the-shelf structured copper communications cable and Class 2, low-voltage wiring methods.

Similar to power-over-ethernet (PoE), this enables VoltServer to transport both digital data and power in a single hybrid cabling infrastructure, making it much easier and more economical to install than conventional 110/220 electrical systems.

This simplicity allows architects, designers and facility managers to quickly and easily configure and

reconfigure wireless networks, office floorplans and agricultural grow rooms. And because the platform is natively digital, it provides unprecedented insights into energy use with a centralized dashboard.

This gives building operators and maintenance staff a granular view of their electric grid to better manage critical loads while eliminating the need for traditional circuit breaker panels.

Power-efficient Vicor converters eliminate need for added cooling Vicor Corporation has worked closely with VoltServer since they began product development. Vicor ruggedized, passively-cooled BCM® DC-DC fixed-ratio bus converters

SMART AUTOMATION | Winter 2021 | 43

are designed into the receivers transforming the higher transmission voltage to a safe low voltage to power the loads. The 97% power efficiency allows reliable cooling without a fan within a smaller enclosure. . They provide the power efficiency that allows the receivers to be placed in tight, enclosed spaces that are too small to accommodate cooling fans. This allows the VoltServer platform to operate more efficiently with much smaller heat sinks and significantly shrinks the receiver footprint.

“With the Vicor converter, we have 43% less heat loss than a normal converter, and the heat sink size decreases proportionately,” said Dan Lowe, VoltServer co-founder and Chief Business Officer. “Our customers include the top three mobile network operators in the U.S., so the requirements for reliability are extremely demanding. That’s where Vicor comes in really, really neatly.”

VoltServer Digital Electricity™ provides the most reliable and cost44 | Winter 2021 | SMART AUTOMATION

effective remote powering solutions for 4G LTE, 5G and Wi-Fi radios that are optimally located for coverage and capacity. The centralized digital architecture provides resiliency for always on communication networks.

VoltServer uses the Vicor compact BCM6123 fixed-ratio bus converter (0.99 x 2.402 x 0.286in) in the endpoint receivers to efficiently convert the power packets. Vicor BCMs use a proprietary, low-noise, high-efficiency Sine Amplitude Converter (SAC™) topology that requires little electromagnetic filtration. This further shrinks the power system footprint and simplifies the design while meeting EMI standards.

Vicor compact BCM6123 fixedratio bus converter (0.99 x 2.402 x 0.286in) is in the endpoint receiver to efficiently convert high voltage power to various loads. Vicor BCMs use a proprietary, low-noise, highefficiency Sine Amplitude Converter (SAC™) topology that requires little electromagnetic filtration.

“With so little electromagnetic filtering needed, we can make the Digital Electricity receiver very compact and mount it pretty much anywhere,” Lowe said. “Any other converter would generate more heat.

That means that the receiver box would need to be much bigger and would require a lot more cooling – and ultimately would cost a lot more and be more difficult to install in space constrained locations.”

The patented VoltServer Digital Electricity™ platform distributes electricity in a safe, digital format.

The technology is simple to deploy, lower-cost, resilient and proven in the large venues with the leading mobile network operators. VoltServer empowers organizations to pursue true digital transformation no matter the complexity or demands of their venue.

Learn more about Voltserver at www.vicorpower.com

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