Enocean wireless lighting controls meet DR targets

Wireless dimming controls were installed in Energy Solutions' office building in Oakland, California, to assess the Smart Grid potential of the wireless automation controls.

Within seconds of receiving PGandE utility DR signals, the Echoflex system reduced lighting levels in scale with utility-prescribed DR levels.

Onsite verification and monitoring showed that the Enocean-based wireless sensor network provided a reliable means of propagating DR signals throughout buildings in response to DR events.

Echoflex's energy-harvesting wireless system was said to be simple to install.

The energy-harvesting and wireless technologies embedded in Enocean-based controls overcome installation barriers associated with 'hardwired' solutions.

In this case, the DR goals were met without the intrusive installation costs historically present in hardwired retrofit installations.

The DR signals are carried over the air and through walls and ceilings to shed lighting energy loads in the office building.

The study showed that the price of battery-less and wireless solutions is more cost effective for retrofit applications than traditional wired controls.

Enocean-based wireless controls fit into the demand side of the overall DR scheme.

The test DR signal was scheduled and initiated by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Via the internet, the DR signal went from the utility to a demand-response automation server (DRAS) and then entered the host building site's client and logic with integrated relay (CLIR).

Once inside the building, the Echoflex solution wirelessly propagated the DR signal throughout the building.

For DR purposes, the Echoflex controllers can be commissioned to turn a single ballast, a group of ballasts or an entire circuit on or off or to dim one or multiple ballasts in response to a DR signal broadcast.

The Echoflex solution can facilitate energy reductions via bi-level lighting and/or dimming.

After testing concluded, Echoflex improved its Complete Room Controller model (EDRC - C) by reducing the customisation required to receive and interpret DR signals.

It also simplified onsite commissioning.