Issuu

LIGHTING TRENDS | INTELLIGENT CONTROL | HOME & BUILDING AUTOMATION | STREETLIGHTING | SECURITY

Building Automation Systems Market

Building Automation Market size was valued at US$ 89,234.1 million in 2023 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2024 to 2030. Building automation leverages advancements in technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI). This allows for data-driven management of buildings, enabling features like predictive maintenance and real-time optimization. Also, the increasing popularity of smart homes further propels the market as home automation systems become more integrated with building-wide automation solutions. In addition, many governments are promoting smart city initiatives and offering incentives for the adoption of building automation technologies. These initiatives aim to create sustainable and energy-efficient urban environment, propelling the market for connected and intelligent building solutions. Moreover, growing awareness about the benefits of connected buildings, such as remote monitoring and management, is driving demand for building automation systems.

Businesses appreciate the ability to monitor building operations remotely, optimize energy use, and identify potential issues before they escalate. In regions with growing economies and rising disposable income levels, there's an increased demand for modern and integrated living spaces. This translates to a larger market for residential building automation systems, offering comfort, convenience, and security features. Furthermore, building automation systems can significantly reduce a building's environmental footprint by optimizing energy consumption and minimizing resource waste. This aligns with the growing focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, leading to increased adoption of building automation technologies. However, installing building automation systems can be expensive, encompassing hardware, software, installation, and ongoing maintenance costs. This can be a significant hurdle for building owners, particularly for smaller buildings or those with limited budgets.

Building automation systems that optimize HVAC, lighting, and other systems can significantly reduce energy consumption, leading to substantial cost savings. Also, governments in many regions are implementing stricter energy efficiency regulations, further driving the adoption of building automation solutions. In addition, building automation systems can personalize building environments by automatically adjusting temperature, lighting, and ventilation based on occupancy and preferences. This leads to improved comfort levels for occupants, potentially enhancing productivity and well-being within commercial buildings.

Smart home automation systems offer similar benefits by allowing residents to control lighting, thermostats, and appliances remotely, creating a more comfortable and convenient living experience. Moreover, building automation systems can integrate with security systems, access control, and fire alarms, providing centralized monitoring and control. This enhances security for occupants and helps prevent accidents by promptly detecting and responding to potential threats.

Governments & regulatory bodies worldwide are introducing and tightening energy efficiency standards for buildings. Compliance with these regulations often requires the implementation of advanced building automation systems to optimize energy consumption. The market benefits as building owners seek solutions to meet these standards. Building automation systems enable precise monitoring and control of energy-consuming systems such as HVAC, lighting, and other utilities. By optimizing the operation of these systems, BCS contributes to significant energy cost savings over time, making it an attractive investment for building owners and operators.

New products to look out for

Simon Buddle looks at some of the new products which caught his eye from Light + Building and ISE that were showcased in the UK by distributor Ivory Egg.

Light + Building is traditionally where KNX manufacturers show off their new products and this year was no different. With over 150 exhibitors showing KNX technology, it is no wonder that so many view it as the go to show for KNX. Whilst ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) has a huge footfall too, it is Light & Building that shows the true breadth of the KNX industry. So large is Light + Building, that one needs to take a bus between halls to get around the show. You can see lights for car parks, curly LEDs, emergency fittings and everything in between. Sadly, this year I was too busy to go, but I did have an invitation to product distributor, Ivory Egg’s event which showcased many of the new products that had been on display, and here is just a few I found interesting.

Energy

The energy market is becoming increasingly important for KNX and its installers. For monitoring, managing, and billing, KNX has both the technology and platform to deliver meaningful data coupled with savings through control functionality. ABB’s new Circuit Monitoring System (CMS) allows for breaker level monitoring of electrical circuits either with ABB breakers or those from third parties. The system

architecture enables the installer to add monitoring for water, solar panels, EV chargers and any meter that is Modbus enabled. All data can be viewed on a web server that provides real time and historical data. Crucially, with ABB breakers, the system can also provide load management via the intelligent I/O modules that can be added.

Gira and ise showed off their new smart energy controllers, Gira Eco and ise eCharge II. These products do the same thing, monitoring and managing EV car chargers. Currently the EV chargers they can work with are very much focused on European chargers, but expect that to change over time.

Gira Eco (left) and ise eCharge II (right) smart energy controllers for monitoring and managing EV car chargers.

And whilst we’re talking about energy (although not strictly energy) it’s worth taking a look at the Logd KNXMonitor software. This enables you to connect your projects to a cloud-based server where all datapoints are logged and recorded with no need to setup a connection via ETS. The benefit for the customer is obvious in that all data is available, meaning you can instantly mine the data to find issues without needing to set the system up to be recorded. I can see and graph setpoint vs actual temperature against demand signals, and know instantly if the system is performing as it should. Or we could know the exact point in time when external

PIRs triggered, lights went on/off etc. This removes any subjectivity from conversations with customers about what may or may not have happened. Every data point is recorded.

A KNX show would not be complete without a plethora of new or updated keypads, and this was no exception. From Gira we saw the revamped System 55 E1 pushbutton sensor with a sleek fresh look. Whilst the JUNG LS TOUCH has had a major overhaul of the menu structure and available icons. The menu structure has been simplified and the vertical swipe is configurable, meaning you can remove it if you wish to make the menu structure a simple left or right swipe. Zennio has introduced the Tecla keypads in 1, 2,4 or 6 button configurations. New or updated keypads from Gira System 55 E1 pushbutton sensor (left), JUNG LS TOUCH (middle) and Zennio Tecla (right).

Weinzierl has released the KNX IO 512 Secure 12-channel relay actuator. On first sight that is not exciting, but there are three remarkably interesting features.

Zero-point switching. Turning relays on/off at the zero point of the sine wave, which is hugely important when switching high loads.

Live testing of parameters, no need to download a new configuration each time.

Internal connections for all outputs.

Weinzierl KNX IO 512 Secure 12-channel relay actuator. Which leads me neatly onto a bugbear of mine – making linking cables for actuators. Recently we have seen Theben start to ship products with a jumper cable. Zennio has gone one step further with the Dim x4, which like the new Weinzierl actuator, is

connected internally so no need for the jumper cables. And thankfully we’ve now seen both Gira and Zennio introduce busbars for actuators. Making jumper cables is expensive, tiresome, and quite frankly dull, so I would like to suggest to all manufacturers that you should a) make them for all your actuators and b) provide them freeof-charge in the box.

Conclusion

There is much to catch up with from Light + Building, and a vast number of products released at ISE too, but I have only been able to include a few which caught my eye here. Theben brought out three new PIRs alone and the quantity of new ABB keypads was too many to count. This wealth of new products shows us that KNX is alive and kicking, expanding, innovating, and rising to the challenges of new market sectors. It remains the only platform that can satisfy the needs of both residential and commercial projects spanning multiple disciplines and functional requirements. So long as the manufacturers continue to bring us new products, and we continue to install them professionally and to a high standard, the market will continue to grow, satisfying customers and growing our businesses.

Home Control: KNX user interfaces offer beautiful form and superb function

Light + Building brought us many new user interfaces, and for those in the UK that were not able to travel to Germany, distributor Ivory Egg put on a dealer event, from which Simon Buddle gives his top picks.

The problem with engineers is that, typically, they are more interested in what is under the hood and how it works, rather than how it looks. We spend all our time building control panels, working out current draw and analysing fault logs – all important stuff and no doubt without which the systems are unlikely to perform at their best. But from the client’s perspective, all that work is taken for granted – if you hire a company to install a KNX system, expertise and competence are a given. The client’s interest lies in functionality and aesthetics.

The user interface, in its many and varied forms, is the front-of-house device that the customer uses on a day-to-day basis. It could sit alongside contemporary furniture, in a country manor or any aesthetic in between. Every new user interface from a KNX manufacturer gives us installers the opportunity to better

meet or match any customer’s functional and aesthetic requirements, so, with the Light + Building show now fading in the rear-view mirror, it is worth a quick look at some of the new keypads and touchscreens on display for the first time. Here is my selection:

Jung

The Jung LS Touch is a great new product. It comprises a keypadsized touchscreen with swipeable pages. For me, this is a fantastic addition to the KNX world. Using the same form factor, colour, and layout, it becomes easy to adapt the keypad for simple or complex operations whilst keeping the user experience consistent. It comes in huge choice of finishes and colours. One point to note is that it consumes 60mA of bus power per keypad. That will need some thought on larger installations, in order to be sure the total load is catered for.

Gira

Gira showed the latest innovations in RF keypads. These are battery-driven and can be retrofitted to any KNX

system, or could be the basis for a new installation. Coupled with the new Gira One server it is easy to create a cost-effective smart home solution, with all programming carried out in the well-established Gira Project Assistant software, saving time and keeping costs to a minimum.

(Top) the Gira KNX RF keypads, (bottom left) Gira One server, and (bottom right) Gira Project Assistant software.

Although not a user interface, Gira showed the F1 SIP bridge too. This is primarily for use in multi dwellings where a centralised door entry phone system has to be connected to each apartment. The F1 bridge provides a secure connection between the landlord’s LAN and the apartment’s private LAN. It also carries KNX messages between the two segments, making it is easy to distribute information from, for example, a central weather station to all apartments. The Push Button Sensor 4 range of finishes and styles has also been expanded enormously.

The Gira F1 network SIP bridge provides a secure connection between the landlord’s LAN and each apartment’s private LAN. Faradite

A company I have been keeping a close eye on for the last two years is Faradite. This British-based manufacturer, whose first foray into the market was a set of very elegant

contact-closure-only keypads, has produced its first native KNX product, a small PIR. Watch this space! I am sure we will be seeing more from them as they continue to work closely with Ivory Egg.

Zennio

Zennio have added the Tecla capacitive keypads and a new touchscreen, the Z28, due for release later this year. The Tecla keypad comes in one, two, four, and six button configurations and variety of colours.

In the UK, the user interface had, for many years, been seen as the Achilles heel of a KNX system. However, with contemporary designs, broadening aesthetic horizons and, of course, the ability to mix and match keypads, this fell by the wayside some years ago. Now with the addition of yet another tranche of great-looking products, KNX is leaving its competition in its wake.

As much as we all love the engineering element of our job, for me, it remains clear that the user interface takes priority over the backhouse panel full of actuators.

If the keypad style and finish match the aesthetic of the home, and the functionality of the interface meets the customer’s requirements, that is when we can honestly say that the KNX system has fulfilled both form and function – and that is every architect’s dream.

The client’s interest lies in functionality and aesthetics (image source: Frankfurt Messe Exhibition GmbH / Pietro Sutera).

The Jung LS Touch is available in a huge range of colours and finishes.

Enabling sustainable urban flow Imagining the elevators of the future – visions for a smarter ride

Tomorrow’s elevator journey will be even more sustainable, digital and integrated into the way we move through buildings and cities. We take a peek at the innovations and trends shaping urban flow with KONE’s head of research & development, Johannes Rastas.

If you stepped out of an elevator (naturally!) into KONE in 2035, what’s happening in R&D and innovation?

Fifteen or so years isn’t that long for cities or buildings, even if it is quite a long time for people. It’s not going to be a flying elevator we’re working on, or a teleport. But people will still need to move around inside buildings and through urban spaces in the 2030s, and the importance of sustainable solutions, accessibility and ease of use is only set to increase.

Almost all of the buildings that people are going to be using in 2035 have already been built, so this is the foundation we’ll be working on, even while people and their needs keep evolving. If you modernize the elevator of an existing building, you can reimagine the whole building, so a big question will be how we bring old buildings to the same level as new ones so that they can cater to people’s expectations in the 2030s.

Virtual and augmented realities will be more popular than today. While it's still likely to be a metal box that people will get into, it will be a faster ride, less waiting time and more intelligent. It knows where you’re going and it's taking you directly there, maybe giving you some helpful advice along the way. It’s probably connected to your smart

wearable device – maybe not your smartphone anymore.

Two people taking pictures with a smartphone in an elevator.

Future elevators are likely to be fully connected to the cloud and other devices.

What are the latest technologies that are transforming the industry?

When we think about our R&D work, the role of software, data and AI will continue to grow. We can assume that the elevator will become more intelligent and that in future all elevators are 100% connected to the cloud. We can also expect that our own competences in those areas will increase significantly.

One important emerging technology is the use of a digital twin to design, test and validate elevators in virtual environments – not just of the car and shaft, but of the actual building and even block or district. This enables us to run simulations and ensure not just that the elevator is the right one for the building, but that it’s the best possible optimization of the flow of people and material in that specific environment.

We are also doing a lot of innovation around making elevators lighter and more energy efficient. We focus on sustainable use of materials in product design and production, and continuously find ways to extend product lifetime with maintenance and modernization. Sustainability is a key design principle in all our innovation. We have also invested significantly in construction and logistics. Whether it’s a new or existing building, the time it takes to get the new elevator installed, modernized or replaced has been significantly reduced.

KONE service technician standing in a modern glass office.

KONE leads the way in the industry with KONE 24/7 connected services.

Which recent solution are you most proud of?

The technology foundation we are working on is super exciting. It’s

pushing our offering and competitiveness and represents another industry-leading step.

Of course, past innovations like the MonoSpace® DX, machine roomless lifts or UltraRope® have transformed the industry. It’s core innovations like this that are very exciting for our R&D team – they’re what drives the industry forward.

We’ve been leading innovation on the service and maintenance side too, with KONE 24/7 being the leading maintenance platform. We have a very strong road map for that and we’re confident that our leadership will continue.

A more recent solution I’m super proud of is the award winning KONE Lane gate, which is a stylish and space-efficient gate for high end office buildings. Combined with KONE Office Flow it will take people flow to the next level. Equally I am proud of KONE’s construction productivity solutions and new innovations in infrastructure, such as airports and metro stations.

These are just some examples of what KONE R&D can do when software, hardware, and applied

research teams work hand-in-hand pushing ourselves to out-innovate and outpace the competition.

Woman taking a picture of the city skyline with a tablet.

Designing for smooth urban flow involves understanding people and material flow within cities.

KONE’s ultimate goal is to improve the flow of urban life, what does this actually mean going forward?

In future, more people will live in cities and urban environments. And in spite of the continuing growth in virtual realities, home deliveries and remote working, people are still going to move – within their building, between buildings, and within their district and city. People are going to order more products and services directly to their homes, so there will be more packages, and

more drones and robots delivering them. This is part of the urban flow that we want to have a role in.

It’s common to talk about “people flow”, but ensuring the smooth movement of materials, packages, construction logistics and so forth is becoming ever-more important. So, in that sense, the idea of urban flow, I like it better.

I envision KONE playing a leading role in smoothing the millions of micro journeys that people, vehicles, material, packages, and robots make in cities every day. It's not only about where the journeys start and end, but also how they intersect and interact.???? It requires not only looking at how people are moving up and down within a building, but also expanding and partnering up with other companies,

cities, urban planners. We want to contribute to safer, more effective urban flow, so we’re making cities better places to work and live.

People in modern office using escalator and destination control. AI and data redefine future buildings and drive customer value. What underlying technologies do you see as key to enabling smooth urban flow in the next decade? The underlying enablers are the typical Internet of Things stack – the technology behind the growing array of connected devices that are all around us. It's the sensors in the buildings generating data about what’s happening with the equipment and people. It's also mobile connectivity that provides this data from site to cloud, and it's data analysis in the cloud to generate actions and insights.

We already generate vast amounts of data, and we can generate a whole lot more. The question is how to extract more customer and business value out of this data. We've already harnessed machine learning to some extent, but the rapid evolution of AI will accelerate the innovation cycle times.

The other foreseeable paradigm shift has to do with user interfaces, which will also be quite different. Today it’s all about smartphones, and I don’t think these handheld devices will vanish that quickly. But they will be complemented with goggles or holographic displays, or image projections. Equally the work of technicians on site will be supported and powered by goggles or robots, with AI advice keeping them safe, guiding them in the work.

KONE’s R&D can customize global offerings.

You have R&D operations in 11 countries. How does this geographical diversity impact on R&D? In R&D alone, we have over 1,300 people, ??plus hundreds of contractors and other partners. Our R&D operates at two levels: global and local. We have this global platform, where we are leveraging for scale, in terms of development efficiency and cost efficiency. But then we have the local side which

tailors or customizes global offerings, not only when it comes to customer needs, but also in terms of market regulation and optimizing the supply chain.

We’re in a heavily regulated industry, and we need to be able to customize our offerings as rules and needs differ between countries. But we need to be smart about how to do it in a modular fashion on top of the common core platform, otherwise fragmentation and technical debt will kill productivity.

This kind of “glocal” approach means we draw innovation and market understanding from having many different nationalities and cultures on our team. That’s very important, and we’re very proud of this. We need to have people who are passionate and excited about the vision and who don’t shy away from asking questions and having big, hairy audacious goals.

This also feeds into how we develop our people, how we attract talent more broadly and how we can work with the best partners out there. For example, we are strategic partners with Amazon Web Services (AWS). At their recent annual event in Las Vegas, Kone was highlighted several times as an industry leader leveraging the latest technologies in driving different types of innova-

tions, such as Generative AI and digital twinning. This reflects the scale of the projects we are involved in!

KONE’s R&D around the world

KONE operates seven global R&D centers across Asia, the Americas and Europe, with each hub located close to production and testing facilities, staffed by teams of world-class professionals.

Finland: The Hyvinkää testing laboratory is KONE’s largest R&D site, with over 1,000 staff. The nearby Tytyri limestone mine is home to one of KONE’s highrise elevator testing laboratories, incorporating one of the world’s longest test shafts, 350 meters below ground.

USA: KONE’s 16,000 sq m facility in Allen, Texas features a 40-meter tall test tower with six elevator shafts.

China: Kunshan Park, an area of 240,000 sqm, is KONE’s largest production and R&D base.

India: KTI (KONE Technology & Innovation) India has a newly expanded technology center in Chennai, including a state-of-the-art test tower which opened in 2023, and another new location in Pune.

Our R&D sites Pero in Italy and Torreón in Mexico strengthen our abilities to develop and manufacture solutions that meet the needs of our customers in local markets.

Otis Electric Launches Smart Elevator for New Construction and Modernization

Otis Electric 7000 debuts at the ChinaInternationalImportExpo 2024

The new, connected Otis Electric 7000 elevator from Otis Electric Elevator Company (Otis Electric), is made for both new construction and modernization projects, with a suite of features that maximize safety, reliability and passenger experience, offering a wide range of customizable aesthetic packages and a new space-saving design

“Urban development and renewal are thriving across China and fueling the need for modern, connected elevators that enhance the riding experience for those who live and work in our cities,” said Angel Yang, President, Otis Electric. “Our Otis Electric 7000 delivers what building owners, facility managers and tenants need in an elevator, and comes from a team of experts who can partner, plan, manage and execute the project from beginning to end.”

Otis Electric, a subsidiary brand of Otis Elevator Company, unveiled the Otis Electric 7000 elevator at the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. CIIE, a premier event for all industries in China, was founded in 2018 by the Ministry of Commerce to promote the Chinese domestic market to foreign companies.

Designed to improve safety, reliability and passenger experience

The Otis Electric 7000 is certified to meet the new and more rigorous China TSG T 7007-2022 elevator safety standard, and it is equipped with the latest PESSRAL1 control system, which complies with SIL3 –the highest safety standard in the industry.

The Otis Electric 7000’s PESSRAL

control system provides substantially more information about the operating condition of the elevator and reacts dynamically to safely resolve issues without halting operations.

Its Automatic Rescue Operation (ARO) feature brings the cabin to the nearest floor in the event of power outage.

Building owners and managers can combine PESSRAL with the Otis Connect™ Internet of Things (IoT) digital services platform to access additional functionalities such as:

Real-time 24/7 delivery of elevator operating information, which is also transmitted to Otis technical experts so they can resolve problems faster and increase the elevator's uptime. Detection of trapped passengers by the in-car Artificial Intelligencepowered camera with automatic alert to the OTISLINE® customer service center for rapid resolution of the incident.

Detection of dangerous objects in the cabin (such as electric scooters) – sharing information with passengers and automatically holding the elevator until the object is removed. A pit flood detection system to prevent unexpected elevator downtime and avoid water damage to equipment.

Designed to provide an exceptional passenger experience.

The Otis Electric 7000 comes with updated cab designs, a wide range of hall buttons and numerous aesthetic options, including the new Unique Modern line, which leverages tempered glass panel hall fixtures for a modern look in lobbies; a slim-line ceiling that is 50% thinner than traditional ceilings to create a taller, more open ambience and a multimedia in-cab screen to promote building

amenities, share local news, weather and even sports scores.

Designed for smooth, space-saving and energy-efficient installation

The Otis Electric 7000 can be paired with Otis Electric’s ReGen™ drive that reduces energy consumption up to 75% versus non-regenerative systems. It meets the VDI A-class global energy rating.

With its compact components, its smaller footprint reduces the total surface area required for elevators in the building and the associated construction costs.

Dark Sky: precise light beams without spill light

Easy programming: with 0-10V or Bluetooth

12 light distributions incl. zoom and framing optics

Adjust light color dynamically: with Tunable white and RGBW

www.erco.com/beamer-site

ISE 2025 offers new ways of learning to advance your career

In the fast-paced world of the AV industry, where personal growth and professional development often competes with professional commitments and trade show schedules, ISE 2025 provides a world-class learning experience that is both accessible and inspiring. It offers participants the chance to reconnect with career development in ways that effortlessly fit into their busy lives.

For the first time, ISE 2025 introduces flexible ticketing options, including the new Content Day Pass. This pass provides daily access to ISE Summits along with additional Track Sessions happening on the same day – all at no extra cost. Running across the first three days of the show, the Track Sessions allow delegates to attend a conference and seamlessly drop into sessions of their choice, offering a more tailored and flexible learning experience.

The ISE 2025 Summits programme, produced for the show by AVIXA, includes: Smart Building Summit focussing on the “Digital Transformation of the Built Environment”, AV Broadcast Summit zooming in on the topic of “Empowering Brands to Tell Their Stories”, Digital Signage Summit rewriting the

rules “How AI, cybersecurity, managed services and sustainability are disrupting digital signage”, Smart Workplace Summit taking “More Steps on the Digitalisation Journey”, Control Room Summit helping to “Imagining the Future”, and Education Technology Summit highlighting “Intelligent Digital Learning”

The expertly curated ISE Tracks, also produced by AVIXA, will feature additional sessions on five mega trends driving the industry forward: AI Track: Artificial Intelligence impacts virtually every market that leverages integrated AV solutions and underpins nearly every technology showcased at ISE, Audio Track: Audio is all around us, whether we’re collaborating in the workplace, experiencing the energy of a live event, or relaxing at home, audio plays a central role, Cybersecurity Track: Hacking has evolved into a lucrative industry, with ransomware attacks and large-scale data breaches becoming alarmingly common, Retail Track: The retail sector has rebounded from the pandemic to reestablish itself as a key driver of AV innovation and commerce, Sustainability Track: Integrating economic, environmental, and social sustainability into business strategies is now essential.

In addition, two Forums focusing on business development and investment: European Latin American AV Forum, offering a unique platform for government representatives, industry leaders, and AV professionals from Europe and Latin America to forge strategic partnerships, explore emerging business opportunities, and drive innovation across the AV and digital sectors, and Investor Forum, this new half day event, produced in association with Tech Barcelona, will explore market opportunities and investment strategies for the AV sector.

CEDIA will present a four-day conference programme: The CEDIA Smart Home Technology Conference will delve into topics like technical installation and design, business excellence, and future trends, all within the context of home technology integration, in addition the CEDIA Workshop will offer hands-on sessions on topics like social media for integrators, design thinking, immersive audio design and financial and operational planning.

Finally, ISE`s biggest-ever Free-toAttend Content Programme offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, engage, and connect with the latest trends and technologies shaping the

AV industry – without additional cost. Designed to inspire and inform, this dynamic programme spans four days and features an array of interactive sessions, expert panels, and live demonstrations across multiple dedicated stages. Highlights include the Live Events Stage, programmed by TPi, exploring insights from the live touring world; the Esports Arena situated in the newly opened Hall 8.1, AVIXA Xchange Live, diving into key topics like AI, cybersecurity, and wellness; CEDIA’s Smart Home Technology Stage, focusing on smart home innovation; and the AVIXA Congreso, providing specialised Spanish-language content. Whether you’re seeking practical knowledge, fresh ideas, or networking opportunities, the Free-to-Attend Content Programme ensures there’s something for everyone.

At ISE 2025, growth isn’t just a possibility – it’s inevitable. This is an opportunity for participants to invest in themselves, to learn, to network, to be inspired, elevate their careers and stay ahead in the ever-evolving AV industry.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.iseurope.org/contentprogramme.

IP67 LED fixtures for numerous applications.

5, 10, 20, 40, & 80 Watt versions. White Light, AWB, RGBW, RGBA, & Tunable White versions.

Available in Mains Dim, Magno Dim DMX512, Wireless DMX or Bluetooth by Casambi. Electronics & power supply fully integrated in DMX versions.

REVO Series

REVO Inground Series

Micro Compact Inground

Inground DMX

Q-Tran is now QTL

Over thirty years ago, Q-Tran was born with a vision: to manufacture superior power solutions. As we grew, we expanded our offering to include the highest quality LEDs and fixtures, positioning us as a leader in architectural lighting. Now it’s time that our brand reflects the dynamic, innovative company we’ve become.

We are QTL

Autodesk | Boston, MA

Lighting Designer: Lam Partners Architect: Utile Photographer: Chuck Choi

EAE Technology

EAE is established in 1973 and is a global company which has sister companies in Germany, Italy, Australia, USA, UAE and Russia. EAE exports its products to 112 countries, and has many regional oﬃces all around the world.

EAE Technology is a member of EAE Group of companies and develops and produces intelligent building solutions with open protocols such as KNX and DALI. At the same time, EAE Technology is an R&D center and KNX training center. As of today, EAE Technology products are in use in 60 countries. The mission of the company is to develop smart automation systems and devices that improve and facilitate people’s environmental conditions, as well as saving energy.

Customer centricity and reliability

EAE Technolgy gained trust and established long term relationships with all its customers due to its focus on customer satisfaction.

Providing long time warranty, fast response are very important strenghts of the company.

Also, giving short leadtime despite worldwide supply chain problems and microprocessor crises made EAE Technology’s brand value on a diﬀerent positions on its customers mind.

Quality focus

Creating diﬀerence in the rapidly developing technology world depends to have a dynamic quality system and to make it sustainable. EAE Technology’s Quality Management System passed many international audits.

EAE Technology diﬀerantiates the products with testing each and every device for all functions. Despite the process is costly with the requirement of extra manpower, time and focus, EAE Technology is aware of the imposrtance of customer satisfaction.

Innovation and Speed

EAE Technology, with its experienced R&D team, follows the innovations closely and develops products which is on the front line of global new trends and presents them to the market.

EAE Technology continues to develop patented products and features that bring a new perspective to diﬀerent sectors.

Online Stores in 5 European countries!

EAE Technology took its place in the online market with the acceleration of the growing online shopping. EAE Technology established online stores in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and UK.

Five language options are added to EAE Technology’s website and products’s technical ﬁles and ETS databases.

We are looking for local Channel Partners for execution of online stores and to establish and govern the sales network in these countries.

Smart Home Solutions

EAE Technology provides thousands of users in hundereds of mega projects brings comfort and security and gives chance to control their smart home via mobile app. At the same time, EAE Technology offers elegant and stylish switches, thermostat series and touch panels with different designs and materials options, which will adapt to houses designed in different concepts for architects.

In addition, EAE Technology products has become the choice of system integrators with its fast assembly, ease of programming and patented functional features in both DIN rail products and ﬁeld products.

Unique design, touch sensitivity, high grade raw materials, patented features…

Rosa capacitive touch switches and thermostats have variation of diﬀerent color, material (4mm glass and aluminium surface) and design.

Rosa product family oﬀers stylish appearance with quality and harmony for luxury villas and highrise residential building. Compatible socket ranges in EU, BS and universal standards are available.

Commercial and Industrial Building Solutions

EAE Technology’s lighting control solution provides signiﬁcant level of energy saving for commercial and industrial buildings. Through specially developed sensors for diﬀerent requirements, robust backend devices, substantial keypad series and central monitoring system, EAE Technology provides full solution for commercial and industrial buildings.

Aﬀordable elegance!

As a plastic series of product, Oria series diﬀerantiated with its beautiful design, color options and up to 12 button options. Also the sandblasting surface prevents ﬁngerprint.

Hotel GMRS Solutions

In addition to making comfort and security accessible in hotel rooms, EAE Technology’s GRMS system has patent pending unique devices. Integration to BMS and PMS systems are also possible.

Switches

Capacitive touch buttons

Up to 12 buttons

Limitless Conﬁguration

EAE broke new ground in the GRMS sector and developed a limitlesss configurable product family. There is no similarly configurable product in KNX World. Glass keypads, thermostats, card holders, bedsides panels and DND/MUR modules are customisable with product configurator tool.

Combination of diﬀerent products (switches, thermostats, card holders, bedsides panels) as a single product

Single, double, tripple press options

RGB backlights

Combination with thermostat, card holder and socket

Any alphabet for texts

Conﬁguration tool for icons

Card Holders

RFID card reader

Available for 1k,2k,3K,4K and ultralight cards

Up to 6 extra switching buttons

Single, double, tripple press options

Combination with switch and thermostat

DND MUR

IP65 option

Laundary and occupancy indication

Horizontal and vertical useage

Enlighted hotel logo and room number

DIN-Rail Products

Stability and Reliability

Beside ﬁelds devices, EAE Technology has full range of backend devices and sensors. Actuators, dimmers, interfaces, gateways and all system devices are available. Robustness of panel devices and variety of sensors attracts system integrators. Devices are being tested and approved by accredited laboratories for EMC, LVD, aging, lifetime tests.

Bedside Panels

Limitless combination of switch, thermostat and sockets

Compatbility with BS, EU and modular sockets

Combination of up to 5 diﬀerent modules in same monoblock plate

Thermostats

RGB backlight

Colored LCD

Up to 6 etxra switching buttons (in addition to thermostat control buttons)

Single, double, tripple press options

Combination with switch, card holder and socket

There are more than 1 million active KNX and DALI products in diﬀerent projects all around the World.

EAE Technology’s Technical Support and Training, Project Desing, After Sales and Quality departments are in service for following the projects hand to hand.

Responsible person: Ozge Goresim Deniz ozge.goresim@eaegroup.com

Explora SPECTRUM

With endless design possibilities and uniform colour changing covering the entire colour range, Explora Halo Spectrum by Hacel delivers powerful performance. Allowing engaging and imaginative concepts to be created, the elegant LED pendant is available in Midi (1236 Ø ) and Micro (1077 Ø) sizes bringing lighting to life.

Hacels range of innovative LED luminaires can incorporate the latest Bluetooth Low Energy control platforms, offering intelligent, revolutionary wireless lighting control.

Otis to Equip 68-storey Dawn KLCC with Elevators in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation and service company, will install seven Otis SkyRise® and three Otis Arise™ elevators for the Chin Hin Group Property Dawn KLCC mixed-used building.

Rising to an impressive 68 storeys, Dawn KLCC stands in close proximity to iconic landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers, Saloma Bridge, and Public Bank Tower. Scheduled for completion in 2029, this architectural marvel will feature lifestyle suites, luxury serviced residences, and a vibrant sky bar, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur city center.

“Otis has a long-standing history of expertise in vertical transportation

for high rise buildings. We are proud to contribute to Dawn KLCC, a prominent project that will transform Kuala Lumpur’s skyline and drive the city’s dynamic growth,” said Pradeep Nair, General Manager, Otis Malaysia. “By using Otis’ most advanced SkyRise elevator system, traveling at speeds of up to 6 meters per second in this building, we are committed to providing passengers with shorter wait times and faster, more efficient journeys.”

The building will be integrated with Otis’ SmartGrouping™ technology, featuring a dynamic group-calling function with smart hall call buttons. This system arranges passenger groups for direct access to specific sky bar floors, before seamlessly returning to its original group for continued service.

The installation of the Otis ONE™ IoT solution to support service will enable proactive communication by monitoring equipment health and performance of the elevators 24/7 in real-time. The information is immediately available to the building’s management team and service technicians via portals and apps to provide visibility to their elevator portfolios and manage performance more efficiently.

In recent years, Otis has also equipped and serviced two notable developments by Chin Hin Group Property – Solarvest Tower at Bangsar South, featuring lifestyle suites, and Residensi Andalan at Bukit Jalil, a residential project.

To learn more about Otis products and services, visit www.otis.com.

About Otis

Otis gives people freedom to connect and thrive in a taller, faster, smarter world. The global leader in the manufacture, installation and servicing of elevators and escalators, we move 2.3 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.3 million customer units worldwide –the industry's largest Service portfolio. You’ll find us in the world's most iconic structures, as well as residential and commercial buildings, transportation hubs and everywhere people are on the move. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 71,000 people strong, including 42,000 field professionals, all committed to meeting the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories.

1.5" ProTools Downlights

a complete range of 1.5" aperture downlights

n Very small-aperture, low-brightness downlight for general and accent illumination.

n High-lumen output and excellent color rendition for all applications.

n Multiple housing styles for mounting into all ceiling types.

n Very shallow ceiling depth required for both integral and remote drivers.

n 20º, 25º, 35º, 50º beam angles and Wallwash.

n Interchangeable optics and accessories.

n L70 (TM21 Projected 85ºC) = Static White 33K hours, Warm Dim 55K hours.

n Downlight UGR <16 meeting WELL Building criteria.

Product: TivoTape

Location: Fogo de Chão / Huntington Beach, California

Tivoli provides solutions for your projects, from customized vision to large-scope designs that produce the right amount of light where needed. Tivoli has maintained a customer-ﬁrst approach, with quality products and uncompromising service year after year. Follow Us!

Fujitec to Launch New Standard Elevator Model in Spring 2025

Masayoshi Harada, CEO of Japan-based Fujitec Co., Ltd., announced the company will launch a new standard elevator model, Ele Glance, in spring 2025. A successor to Fujitec’s XIOR standard elevator model, Ele Glance is equipped with enhanced capabilities in design, maintenance and disaster response. Ceiling, wall and floor materials are available in 29 colors, and interior space follows the CMF design framework that combines color (C), material (M) and finish (F) to determine first impressions. Different combinations of ceiling lights, wall and floor colors and patterns form the basis for the three main designs offered: Smart, Elegant and Friendly. Ele Glance’s remote-monitoring system has been upgraded for advanced maintenance service, and the unit’s main equipment has been relocated at the top of the elevator shaft to minimize flood damage.

The New Reality: using KNX to create virus-conscious buildings by treating internal spaces as a single environment

One of the immediate impacts that the pandemic will have on our industry is changes to the specifications on new projects. Even if the current coronavirus crisis comes to a quick close (which looks increasing unlikely), building specifications are still likely to be adapted to include some of the lessons learnt. After all, COVID-19 is not the first coronavirus to have an impact on the human population; SARS and MERS are both from the same family of virus. Nor is it likely to be the last.

An obvious change is to make buildings as contactless as possible. Whilst this is not difficult to achieve in larger open spaces, it is much more difficult in smaller offices or buildings whose usage naturally requires privacy. The first step to achieve contactless design is being able to determine when someone is entering or leaving a space, be that open or enclosed, and the ability to monitor much more accurately if people are still in a space.

Contactless operation

KNX offers a perfect solution for contactless operation with products such as the Steinel True Presence detector. Using microwave sensing technology that is tuned to the movement signature of a human breathing, the sensor offers extremely accurate presence information as well as outputs based on direction of movement and distance to movement. With motorised doors and intelligent lighting and HVAC, it would be simple to create a completely contactless environment as people move through a building and use different spaces.

Another product from Steinel offers a neat solution to manage social distancing. The HPD 2 is a camera sensor which is able to determine the number of people in a room or in defined areas of the room. It could be used to provide feedback when additional people enter a shop, move from one part of a building to another or to increase the ventilation to ensure fresh, clean air is provided in more confined spaces.

The Steinel HPD 2 camera sensor.

As a scenario, in a high-rotation office space, a group of people have booked a meeting room. They enter the room, which has been brought up to temperature for them ten minutes before the meeting is due to start, and the lights turn on as they enter. They log in so their presence is recorded, and the system adjusts based on the number of people actually using the room. Then, after the meeting, the absence of people in a room might be used to trigger the cleaning crew to enter and wipe down the surfaces, so making the transition to the next users less risky.

Air quality

Managing the quality of the air in the building is another area where building controls have a major role to play. This requires a shift in mindset from HVAC being as efficient as possible to it being able to perform at a level which maintains the highest levels of filtration and air changes. This transition will take time, but as this white paper from HMS Intesis suggests there are some immediate ways that existing systems can be used to help control the spread of airborne virus inside. For this to work, a high level of control is needed over the AC systems and possibly a high level of integration with existing BMS systems, both of which HMS Intesis has proven solutions.

Flexible Working.

Groove FLEX

KURV-X

KURV-Y

Our flexible, fully diffused IP67 range

The Versatile Vorsa ® Spotlight

Over 200 Variations

3 different sizes

3 powerful beam widths

Range of beautiful finishes

Easy click and fit connections

Track lighting and decorative pendants options

Call 020 7371 9000 to see it for yourself or head to our London showroom.

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

edge, enhance convenience for you and your guests, and increase your property value and service level, whatever size it is.

Go Smart Renting and forget about keys.

Download free whitepaper today:

www.assaabloy.co.uk/smartholidayrental

The Connected Room Solution Create

Beyond Illumination

Distribution

View from America: KNX as the future standard for the USA

As this is the inaugural article for my ‘View from America’ column, I’d like to be upfront about my main goal, which is to promote the adoption of KNX in the USA. So I thought I’d start by focusing on the simplicity and benefits of KNX when applied here and, specifically, how it is a proven, robust field level protocol and standard. I will also show its application in commercial buildings as a complete, multiple-trade, field level protocol with a streamlined interface into the overall building energy management system (BEMS), especially regarding IP convergence.

In this first article, I’ll cover some of the key benefits:

• Streamlined design and commissioning.

• Installation material and labour savings.

• Multiple market options, proven and future-proof.

• Complete field level protocol across all trades.

Streamlined design and commissioning

The KNX topology has no limit to the size and scale of the building – it is equally well-suited to small residential buildings as well as largescale commercial ones. One KNX line can support up to 64 KNX devices using a single power supply, and the lines can include multiple KNX lines of up to 64 devices by using an IP or KNX TP network, making it virtually limitless. This simplified engineering enables standardised and repeatable designs, resulting in projects being of higher quality and less risk, and greater ease of troubleshooting and optimisation. For the installer, it also means simplified installation requirements. When the design is

complete, the KNX components can be pre-programmed, thus reducing the technician’s field configuration and commissioning time.

Installation material and labour savings

When using the KNX protocol completely for the occupant/room i.e., field level, you can save on costs thanks to less control wiring and power required for LED lighting, daylighting (blinds) and HVAC when compared to standard analogue control. Savings can also be made on the amount of installation labour to install the wire runs for all three trades, as well as on materials thanks to all three trades requiring only one combined room sensor/switch instead of three.

If that isn’t enough, the robust KNX control signal in the KNX-rated cable allows for installation in traditional raceways, trunking, conduit and modern prefabricated wiring systems. This means that the KNX wire can be installed with the power wiring, negating the requirement for a separate raceway for low voltage (e.g., BACnet), thus saving significant time and money.

Multiple market options, proven and future-proof

The key benefit to the KNX protocol is that it is a truly open protocol system with certified products from many different manufacturers that seamlessly connect on the same network without the need for special application programs or drivers. With KNX based systems, there is a guaranteed forwards and backwards compatibility of products for extension on the existing bus network, making it virtually future-proof. Also, given the

choice of manufacturers, you can select the best products for the best application. For example, you can prefer one manufacturer’s DIN-rail products whilst selecting another for the switches and sensors. This provides flexibility for customers from both an aesthetic and application perspective.

Complete field level protocol across all trades

As a field level protocol for lighting, blinds (daylighting), HVAC, security, etc, KNX provides ONE platform and approach to all trades. This removes complexity and streamlines execution during design and construction for architects, engineers, contractors and building owner/operators. KNX also has multiple interfacing options with other systems and protocols through established gateways that are available from numerous suppliers. These include OPC and BACnet servers, DALI and many others. These interfaces and gateways are commonly used all over the world, having been tried and tested as proven.

Intesis introduces the DALI-2 to KNX TP PRO Gateway for building automation with advanced lighting control

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Intesis DALI-2 to KNX TP PRO Gateway. This innovative multimaster application controller brings unparalleled interoperability between DALI-2 lighting systems and KNX automation, allowing for comprehensive control, monitoring, and customisation.

Designed to streamline building automation, the new Intesis gateway integrates DALI-2 ballasts and KNX systems, offering features like switching, dimming, color control, and emergency lighting management. It supports up to 64 Electronic Control Gears (ECGs) along with 8 DALI-2 motion detectors or light sensors, enabling group and individual control across 16 configurable groups.

Enhanced security features, including KNX Data Secure, ensure encrypted communication, while IoT compatibility prepares any building

for the future of smart automation. Additionally, the Intesis gateway’s advanced Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) supports color control options such as RGBW and tunable white, creating a lighting environment optimized for occupant wellness and comfort.

With a built-in DALI power supply, flexible input support for various devices, and configuration options via ETS+DCA, web interface, or directly on the device, the installation is simpler than ever. As a fully certified DALI-2 and KNX solution, the Intesis DALI-2 to KNX TP PRO Gateway empowers building managers and users to elevate their automation systems with versatile lighting control and seamless integration.

Features and Benefits:

Interoperability between DALI-2 and KNX systems: Multiple configuration methods are available: ETS+DCA,

web interface, and directly on the device. The gateway is DALI-2 and KNX certified.

Simplified installation without extra power supply: Embedded DALI Power Supply for the connected devices.

Full lighting control for the building user’s comfort Broadcast control, group control, and single ECG control.

Advanced Human-Centric Lighting (HCL) setup for occupants’ wellness. Colour control features include RGBW, tuneable white, HSV colour control, and x/y – Colour Space.

Reliable Emergency Lighting management. Supports single-battery emergency lights (EN 62386-202) and central battery emergency lighting systems.

Enhanced security for data communication: KNX Data Secure is supported, ensuring safe and encrypted communication in building automation networks.

IoT and Smart Building Ready: MQTT / IoT compatibility, allowing integration with IoT platforms and smart building systems.

Flexible input device support for automation: Supports motion/brightness sensors, push buttons, and generic inputs for customisable automation and control. Virtual Input Devices can be settled.

The DALI-2 to KNX TP PRO Gateway has arrived to complete the Intesis portfolio for smart lighting integration.

Energy Efficiency: controlling window coverings intelligently using KNX

According to the UN Environment Programme, buildings use about 40% of global energy, so Andy Ellis looks at how controlling window coverings intelligently can help make buildings more energy efficient.

The reason for covering a window opening is either to provide privacy or to block light. When we block the passage of sunlight we also block solar radiation, and this will reduce heat gain in the room. The reverse may be true in cold weather, i.e. the covering may to some extent, prevent heat loss. The control of window coverings however, is a subject that is far more complex than it first seems, so let’s look first at the types of covering with which we could be dealing. Controlling window coverings intelligently is key to making buildings more energy efficient (image source: Farnborough Blinds).

Types of window covering

The most common types of window covering are the roller blind and the curtain, but there are many more, including Roman blinds, Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, horizontal blinds, plantation shutters, the Jalousie (an external shutter or blind), blackout blinds and blinds built within the pains of the double glazing. All of these can be manually or electrically operated. For completeness, we should also add electrochromic glass.

Powering window coverings

As a rule of thumb, electric window coverings are powered by either a

220-240V mains AC motor or a 24V DC motor. There are also some systems that run on a 12V DC motor, but these are less common.

Mains voltage AC motors have two windings, referred to as ‘split winding’. One drives the motor in one direction, the other in the other direction. So the power cable has a single neutral that is used for both windings, and two lives, L1 & L2, for powering winding 1 and winding 2 respectively. An interlock has to be provided to stop both windings being powered at once.

How are window coverings controlled with KNX?

Using the motors as described above, connections can be directly powered and wired through a KNX relay. Looking through the main KNX manufacturers product listings, nearly all of them have a blinds relay device for use with either mains or low-voltage motors. The relay can be DIN-rail mounted (usually 4- or 8channel) or fit into a backbox (usually single- or dual-channel). Once you have the motor mechanism operational, then any KNX switch or server (app) should be capable of operating movement in either direction.

Often curtain tracks will be supplied with units with dry contact control (simply short the contacts together to facilitate operation) and again, these can be connected directly to any KNX relay. More recently, we are beginning to see manufacturers incorporating KNX chip sets directly into the device itself. The ABB JRA/ S4.230.5.1 is an example of a 4-

channel KNX device designed for positioning blinds, roller shutters, awnings and other shading products as well as for controlling doors, windows and ventilation flaps.

In commercial environments, motorised window covering drive units tend to include SMI (Standard Motor Interface), so KNX manufacturers have responded by providing KNX to SMI interfaces to bring control of these coverings within the KNX system. An example of a KNXto-SMI interface is the Vestamatic IF SMI KNX 24VDC 16 CH motor control unit. This can control a maximum of 16 24VDC motors with SMI interface for blinds, awnings, large louvre blades, roller shutters, windows, light domes, etc. within a KNX bus system (image source: Ivory Egg).

Additional functionality with KNX

Over and above manual operation, there are various ways that KNX control can be used to increase comfort and efficiency. For example, the system can be programmed to automatically open and close blinds at daybreak or sunset, utilising shading options to either simply block the sun on a bright day or to provide solar shading, which is especially relevant in larger commercial buildings. Actions can be programmed according to time of day, and/or connected to sensors. For example, depending on prevailing ambient heat and light levels, the system may elect to switch lights on and close blinds (rather than switch on air-conditioning), or open blinds and switch

lights off.

The future is bright, despite COVID-19

According to the report ‘Blinds and Shades – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics’ by Global Industry Analysts, Inc, “Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for blinds and shades estimated at US$10.4 billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$12.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR [Compound Annual Growth Rate] of 2.6% over the analysis period 20202027.” Further, according to the report ‘Smart Window Market –Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 – 2026)‘ by Mordor Intelligence, “The COVID-19 outbreak has affected industries across the globe. The Smart Windows industry has also been affected by the disruption in the supply chain but has been profited by the increased attention due to the subsequent rise in the Smart Home ecosystem interest in the market.” Interest in automated window coverings is increasing worldwide (image source: Farnborough Blinds).

From a UK perspective, approximately two thirds of all motorised window coverings are sold into the commercial market place, and although actual sales figures for motorised window coverings are not easily found, given the everincreasing emphasis on global warming and the need to enhance the efficiency of buildings, we can expect the market to continue to grow in step with the rest of the world.

Facade Lighting Reimagined

For 30 years, Lumascape has transformed spaces through light and color using some of the most innovative solutions.

Our innovation and technology can be seen on buildings, bridges and monuments throughout the world, creating dazzling displays of performance art.

Our specialties include:

■ Exterior-Grade Architectural Lighting

■ Intelligent Lighting Systems

■ Lighting System Design

■ Commissioning Services

■ Content / Light Show Creation

■ Remote System Monitoring

To learn more, visit lumascape.com.

NEW RANGE OF MINIATURE, SURFACE MOUNTED WALL WASHERS

New from LightGraphix is a range of high quality miniature wall washers. The minimal design of the LD95, LD96 and LD97 allow them to blend seamlessly into most project styles, and fit into the smallest of details. A choice of beam angles and LED colours provide the designer with a number of uses, which include window reveal lighting, wall washing and path illumination. The new line up utilises the same light engine and optics as our popular LD56 uplighter, which means consistent lighting effects can be achieved across entire projects.

NEW RANGE OF MINIATURE, SURFACE MOUNTED WALL WASHERS

Please visit our website for more information.

Marco Koyne on building a sustainable future with KNX

In this interview with Katie Rose, Marco Koyne discusses how international KNX professionals can worktogethertoaddressclimate change and nurture the next generation.

KNXtoday: How, why and when did you get involved with KNX, and what are your current roles?

MK: As a child, I was interested in repairing things – when my parents wanted to throw away machines, I’d say “No, let me see if I can repair it.”

Very often, I found it was just a minor fault, and as a result, I became increasingly interested in electricity. Whilst training as an electrical installer between 1995 and 1997, I was introduced to smart home and smart building automation, and caught the KNX bug.

To gain more in-depth knowledge, I trained as an electrical engineer in building automation which is the key to my success today. I completed my training whilst working for a great company, worked for a European solar installation company in Spain and then as a computer administrator for German telecom. Finally, in

2003, I set up my own company, Koyne System Elektronik for smart homes and buildings and joined KNX Germany.

Today I’m the Chair of KNX Professionals Germany, a group of professional KNX installers that meets three or four times a year to share knowledge and advance KNX technology. At trade events, we show all kinds of people what is possible, whether they are an architect, lay person or family wanting to build a new house or to renovate an apartment. By combining KNX with new technologies such as voice-controlled systems, apps, the Internet of Things (IoT) and many other systems, we show how there’s nearly no limit to what can be done.

KNXtoday: You’ve worked on many different KNX projects including the G7 conference –tell us more about this and some other highlights.

MK: I’ve worked on more than 400 projects over the last 20 years, from small to large scale.

The G7 Conference (2007) was looking for a way for world leaders

to call their assistants without having to move, because turning their backs on other leaders would be an affront. The assistants would consult a specialist team when the leaders needed to access in-depth knowledge to answer a question. I devised a solution that enabled the leaders to alert them by pressing a button on their desks. It was fascinating to see that only 30% of the conference discussions were shared with the press.

I also enjoyed working on the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, here in Berlin. It was a great experience to programme the President’s Suite, including the panic room, which is a slightly smaller copy of the normal President’s apartment.

Another project was the nhow Berlin, a music hotel on the river Spree where you can order a guitar or other instrument to be brought to your room. It’s fun to see how they play with light in the hotel design. They also have a music studio where you can record your own CDs overlooking Berlin – if you have the money to pay for it! As I played in a jazz funk band, I was curious to see how the studio worked – it’s linked

to the famous Hansa Studios, where the Beatles recorded.

KNXtoday: November is KNX Sustainability Month, what role do you see KNX playing in helping build a more sustainable future?

MK: Today the focus is on energy management. This year the European Union issued the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which means architects have to implement energy management automation systems in phases – firstly in new buildings, then for renovations or reconstructions of existing or older houses, and finally for housing estates and apartment blocks. Step by step, it will require everyone to become more energy efficient, which will significantly influence our climate. There’s a lot of work to do, as we go beyond existing solutions and develop new technologies.

Also, Time of Use (ToU) tariffs are being introduced in many countries including Germany, prioritising the importance of energy efficiency and costs. KNX energy management systems can forecast the price of energy in the next 24 hours and

indicate the cheapest way to charge the car, wash the dishes or use the washing machine using different types of energy – gas, solar, electricity or wind. For example, during November or December, wind power is plentiful and cheap in Germany and can be used to charge a car battery during the night.

KNX also creates energy efficiency and sustainability by combining different disciplines such as heating, lighting, blinds, audio alarms and car charging, with multiple sensors. There’s a lot of technology behind this, but that’s not of interest to most customers. They just need a system that will contribute to the smooth running of daily life and meet their priorities.

KNXtoday; What solutions do you see emerging from international KNX partnerships as Europe faces climate change?

MK: As changes occur across different climate zones, international exchanges can help discover and integrate solutions. The first crossnational KNX Professionals conference involving KNX Professionals Italy and KNX Professionals Germany took place in Italy in June 2024. As Germany is becoming warmer, some of the Italian solutions were helpful for us, and they were interested in our energy management systems. We need more of these conferences – it’s a lot of work, of course, but there’s so much potential. That’s the great advantage of our KNX family – we can learn from each other and work together.

KNXtoday: Do you think there’s a potential for KNX professionals to have an impact at government level potentially by presenting solutions?

MK: We would like to, but we’re up

against the stronger lobby power of energy companies. Also as systems integrators or company employees, we don’t have the capacity to do the work involved – it would take too much time and prevent us from doing our normal work. I don’t know how the KNX Association could have an influence at national and EU level, but there must be ways.

Don’t forget that, as part of capitalism, others in the industry want to force customers to buy and become dependent on their proprietary systems, which is not sustainable. We must be more energy efficient, so KNX professionals have to effect change on the ground by exchanging ideas, learning and collaborating internationally.

KNXtoday: How can KNX Professionals work with architects and planners to help improve sustainability?

MK: Architects and planners worldwide need to consider not only design, but also the impact of technology, and should consult systems integrators about what it means to install an energy management system in a building.

Sometimes, we are introduced to projects too late, after decisions have been made by architects and planners. For example, in a large office block which I integrated, we worked on the heating system, but the ventilation system was planned separately.

As a result, the systems don’t talk to each other and customers renting the offices complain that the ventilation blows in cold air whilst the underfloor heating is active. It’s important to flag up and show how to prevent situations like this.

As KNX has more than 500 manufacturers worldwide, we have so many possibilities and products to solve complex problems. It would be good to hold conferences with architects and planners so we can work together to meet legal requirements and increase the sustainability of buildings.

KNXtoday: As young people face the most impact of climate change, tell us about your mentoring initiative at Berlin Electrical Fair this November.

MK: We introduced our mentoring initiative at the IFA show in Berlin this September at the ZVEH EHaus, a show house where we demonstrate how KNX can be used to control virtually everything. In German we say ‘Wir bilden aus EHaus’ which sounds better than the English translation – ‘We train in the EHaus’. The idea is to give young people the opportunity to learn about the technology behind the workings of the EHaus – including the little things that provide comfort, such as a light coming on when you open the dishwasher to help you see your dishes.

We also give them the opportunity to present the techniques they have learned in their own language, which gives them confidence and helps them grow personally. There are many career opportunities in this area, so we want to support young people who are looking for direction and share the spirit of KNX with them.

KNXtoday: What role do you see AI playing in technological innovation as we move forward?

MK: AI will play a role, but we need to see it as an instrument that can help us and not the holy grail. It could, for example, be used improve automation, but we need

to continue testing, improving and adapting it as a tool. We need to master AI, rather than it mastering us.

KNXtoday: As a supporter of the Women in KNX initiative, what do you feel can be done to improve equal opportunities for women in the trades?

MK: Our founder, Katja Schuster, is doing a great job. Since launching at Light + Building 2024, Women in KNX is growing, step by step. As we realise that it’s hard to recruit women, one of the aims of our young people’s initiative at the EHaus is to encourage young women who are interested in exploring technical professions. Restrictive cultural and family attitudes need to be challenged –there should be no barriers to women pursuing technical careers.

One of the greatest things we can do is promote women working in the field, show that they are enjoying their careers and that they can bring a different point of view to men. These role models can help inspire both young women interested in training and older women who might want to change profession.

In Germany, our language is gendered which I don’t like –there’s no need for it. For years, I’ve also been fighting to level the gender pay gap, as I cannot understand why a woman should earn less money than a man in any profession.

KNXtoday: Is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

MK: What I’d like to see by 2030, is a great European conference of KNX Professionals to demonstrate the amazing potential of KNX and share solutions for the future.

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

Based on the Connected Building Platform from Bosch Software Innovations

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.

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

www.en.cozify.fi/pages/for-partners

https://careers.dyson.com/

Connected products is a growing area for Dyson building world-class cross functional Agile teams and adopting the latest technology and techniques delivering our ambitious vision in the connected space. In 2016 we launched our first two connected products now having a connected user base of hundreds of thousands in twenty countries. Culture of design and engineering excellence with an innovative start up mentality winning the 2016 T3 Connected product of the year. https://careers.dyson.com/

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

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

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/

assaabloy.co.uk/smartreport2016

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

ARCOS III

THE FINE ART OF LIGHT

Vast Product Range

Kingfisher o er a wide range of fittings including bollards, bulkheads, street and amenity lighting, architectural luminaires and area lights, as well as columns, brackets & accessories.

Lighting Design Service

Fully qualified Light Designers are on hand to create the perfect project scheme to maximise performance, energy e iciency and cost savings.

Technical Support

Delivery

With their own delivery fleet loaded with specialist lifting equipment, Kingfisher can delivery anywhere in the UK, including Scotland. There is also a call & collect service for anyone with their own transport.

Control Systems

Kingfisher supply fittings that work with simple step-dimming protocols, DMX colour change programmes or DALI and bespoke Wi-Fi controls solutions.

The technical experts at Kingfisher o er support whenever and wherever needed. From choosing the right fittings and accessories, to installation and maintenance advice.

Did you know...

High Mast & Sports

With dedicated High Mast & Sports teams, Kingfisher o er the full package from the right fittings, masts and accessories, to installation and maintenance services.

The Luceco group of companies are also experts in interior lighting, wiring and electrical accessories, as well as portable power solutions. plc

Future is Light

SITECO are specialists in lighting solutions for city, office, industry, sport, tunnel and retail. We are a leading supplier of professional and technical lighting solutions within indoor and outdoor applications.

siteco.com

8. – 13. 3. 2026

The world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology