Smart Energy

Echelon SmartServer is “Brains” Behind Lencore Sound Masking & Paging

Building owners across the U.S. use Lencore’s sound masking, paging and mass notification solutions to create acoustically sound workplaces, provide background music and produce emergency communications. Lencore, in turn, uses Echelon’s SmartServer as the controller, or “brains,” behind its engineered system solutions for both networked sound masking and mass notification.

“The SmartServer is what enables our solutions to control multiple zones; to communicate across buildings, campuses, or around the world; and to easily integrate other signaling or communications devices such as digital displays, text messages, tweets and much more,” said David Smith, director of business and channel strategy at Lencore.

Lencore uses Echelon technology for programming control, monitoring, and reporting over the entire system, including other devices such as digital displays and text messaging. Echelon technology also allows end users – i.e., building or property owners and facility managers –to make adjustments to their Lencore systems. For instance, end users can change the space for greater speech privacy, enhanced auditory comfort, or life safety communications, such as emergency paging.

“System integrators and installers, who are typically the ones who set up the Lencore systems for the end users, truly enjoy the ease of use and installation of the SmartServer,” said Smith. “And because the Echelon SmartServer is so easy to program, Lencore is able to offer superior system control that’s unique to each individual project.”

You might also like:

• Echelon’s Smart Buildings web pages
• Echelon SmartServer 2.0 datasheet
• Lencore website 

Echelon Helps Light Post-Earthquake Recovery in New Zealand

Two years after the massive Christchurch earthquake killed 185 people and devastated the city, the major metropolitan hub of the South Island of New Zealand is steadily rebuilding. As Christchurch re-emerges from the rubble, an ambitious new project is setting an optimistic tone for the whole area. And Echelon is playing a role in the revitalization efforts.

Christchurch’s $100 million Avon River precinct is an anchor project for the central city area, which was one of the hardest hit by the quake. Work has begun on the first stage of the project, called Watermark, which will feature boardwalks, more green space, and new places for residents to live, work, and play.

An energy-efficient Echelon SmartServer-based system, with Echelon CPD 3000 and Philips Outdoor Lighting Controllers (OLCs), using reliable power line communications (PLC) technology and management software from StreetLight.Vision (SLV), is controlling both pathway LED lamps and new LED-based handrail lighting along the Watermark project’s public walkways. The lighting will enhance the appearance of the walkways while making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate it at night. In addition, the system will save energy by dimming lighting during low-traffic times.

Echelon is working with its partner ECOsystems from Wellington to install the new lighting system.

You might also like:

• Echelon’s SmartServer 2.0 Controller web page
• Echelon’s CPD 3000 datasheet
• Avon River Precinct description from the Christchurch Central Development Unit’s website 

Echelon Powers Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority Lighting Program

The Government of Western Australia’s Public Transport Authority (PTA) is responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of all urban heavy rail, bus, and ferry infrastructure in Perth, Western Australia. Committed to providing the safest, most efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective service possible for more than 140 million passengers annually, PTA has pursued technical innovation to improve lighting management. In an Australian first, PTA has selected Echelon’s powerline technology to power its network-wide lighting asset management and control program.

In 2009, PTA began a trial of an Echelon-powered “Zoneworks” emergency lighting and exit sign monitoring system, manufactured by Clevertronics, that provides real-time monitoring and automated compliance for its life-safety lighting. Now this program is being rolled out in throughout PTA’s region, with several thousand points now under centralized management.

Following the success of the emergency lighting program, PTA approached LVX Group, an Echelon Solutions Partner and Lighting Engineered Solutions Company, to develop a similar asset management strategy for its general lighting. After successful trials on selected sites, PTA adopted LVX Group’s engineered solution in early 2013. Incorporating Echelon’s CPD3000 Outdoor Lighting Controller (OLC) and SmartServer 2.0 Controller, the solution was designed, developed, and installed by LVX Group as a part of its “Fit & Forget” Lighting Asset Management Program.

The Echelon-powered solution enhances efficiency, compliance, and costs for both reactive and preventive maintenance as well as capital projects. Improvements in LED warranty accountability alone are expected to save millions of dollar per year, because the monitoring system enabled by the Echelon-powered solution can determine promptly if LED lamps have failed inside the manufacturer’s warranty period. In addition, luminaires can be programmed to save energy; parking lot and platform lights can be dimmed at times when no traffic is expected; and the lighting system alerts maintenance personnel to the exact locations of failed lamps, saving time and money while optimizing safety.

The PTA is in the process of implementing Echelon technology to upgrade its transit platforms, service and stowage yards, tunnels, and parking lot lights to controllable, monitored LED lighting.

You might also like:

• Echelon’s SmartServer 2.0 Controller web page
• Echelon CPD3000 Outdoor Lighting Controller (OLC) datasheet
• Government of Western Australia - Public Transport Authority website
• LVX Group’s Fit & Forget Lighting Asset Management website

 

Echelon Streetlight Control Being Used at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Maryland

A smart, multi-level, demand-sensitive LED street lighting network demonstration using Echelon’s Outdoor Lighting Controllers (OLCs) and SmartServer helped the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NWSC) to achieve over 75% electrical energy savings.  Echelon worked with researchers at two universities, Virginia Tech and Old Dominion, to develop the LED street lighting network for the Maryland-based NSWC.[1]  The previous street lighting system used high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps with no dimming controls, which were monitored for one year to provide a baseline of electricity consumption to compare with the new LED-based system with Echelon controllers.

This new network allows NSWC to monitor and control lighting intensity based on both time and traffic flow. The network’s building blocks include LED light fixtures, a traffic sensor, and Echelon streetlight controllers and SmartServer. 

In addition to a tremendous reduction in energy consumption, the NSWC is realizing the added value of significantly better light quality, the elimination of mercury waste disposal, and the ability to dynamically control dimming levels with motion sensors.

“We’ve demonstrated at the NSWC that replacing existing HPS-based street lighting systems with intelligent LED systems controlled by Echelon technology can significantly reduce electricity consumption,” said Mark Carter,Echelon’s director of sales. “Similar results are being are being achieved for varying outdoor lighting projects around the world in municipal, parking lot, and parking garage lighting applications.” 

 You Might Also Like:

• Echelon’s Smart Street Lighting web page
• Echelon’s CPD3000 Outdoor Lighting Controller web page
• Echelon’s SmartServer web page
• The Naval Surface Warfare Center web site
• Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) News web page

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[1] See http://www.serdp.org/News-and-Events/In-the-Spotlight/Intelligent-and-Energy-Efficient-LED-Street-Lighting

Echelon Awarded Patent on Installing a Community of Devices on a Control Network

Echelon was recently awarded U.S. Patent number 8,374,104 for its Interoperable Self-Installation (ISI) protocol, an innovative, simple way to install a group of devices on a control network. Echelon has implemented the ISI technology in a number of products, and Echelon customers have already created commercial products based on the patented technology.

ISI addresses an increasingly important challenge in our lives today. Everyday devices – ranging from large appliances (refrigerators, ovens, etc.); HVAC, security, lighting, and irrigation systems; vehicle controls in trains, automobiles, ships, and planes; to smaller appliances (toasters, microwaves, etc.) – are being interconnected and need to be controlled. As these networked device groups become more prevalent, the devices themselves must be able to join the groups and interact with each other, without requiring an installation tool, expert knowledge, or a special-purpose local server. 

Echelon’s new patent covers a method of installing devices into groups, or communities of devices, that:

• Does not rely on a central server or authority for acquiring or maintaining addresses of devices
• Does not fail when a large number of devices are turned off
• Does not require users to maintain network resource information

Echelon’s innovation includes standardizing a method by which devices in a network can allocate their own network resources and automatically avoid conflicts arising from two devices independently trying to assign duplicate network resources. The method includes automatic discovery so that devices can automatically recognize compatible devices as they are added to the network community and establish communication with each other. Another innovation is discovery and installation without the need for “active negotiation,” meaning that it is not necessary for every device to be knowledgeable about every other device in the community.

Echelon’s patented ISI technology is supported in three of its tools – the NodeBuilder Development Tool, the ShortStack Developer’s Kit, and the LonBridge Server – and PL 3170 Smart Transceiver chip as well as the PL3150, FT5000 and Neuron 5000.

 Customers using Echelon’s patented ISI technology include:

• CyboSoft and CyboEnergy in the U.S., which implemented a gateway and the world’s first solar power Mini-Inverter using Echelon PL chips communicating with ISI technology, with the LonBridge Server running in the gateway. This enables CyboSoft and CyboEnergy to deliver Mini-Inverters that can be managed with its home gateway for home installations, but that are also compatible with the Echelon SmartServer Controller for larger commercial installations.
• e-controls in Spain, which uses Echelon PL chips communicating with ISI technology in its commercial building and home indoor lighting control and commercial remote I/O. With the Echelon technology, e-controls can deliver a system that can be installed without the use of any additional tools in standalone system, but that can also be easily integrated into larger building or home control networks that use Echelon’s LNS or OpenLNS tools.
• SLS Corporation in India, which uses the LonBridge Server to create its In-Home Controller, and the NodeBuilder tool and the PL 3170 chip in its lamp and appliance modules. The SLS In-Home Controller interacts with plug-in modules for dimming lamps and switching appliances on and off; for monitoring and reporting energy usage of lamps and appliances; and to enable homeowners to use a mobile phone or local display to monitor the energy usage of their lighting and key appliances.

Congratulations to Bernd Gauweiler and Rich Blomseth from Echelon, who are the co-inventors of the ISI technology that has received this patent.

You might also like:

• Echelon Interoperable Self-Installation (ISI) web page
• Echelon LonBridge Server web page
• Echelon PL 3170 Smart Transceiver chip web page
• CyboSoft website
• CyboEnergy website
• e-controls website
• SLS website

 

 

Echelon China Users Conference Discusses LonWorks, Internet of Things

The Echelon China Users Conference wrapped up its 2013 meeting in Xiamen, China, in April, with more than 70 people from 20 companies attending the two-day conference.  The Users Group, which gives vendors the opportunity to meet and discuss their solutions based on LonWorks technology, expanded its focus this year to also include Echelon’s strategy and plans for the Internet of Things marketplace. 

Anders Axelsson, Echelon’s senior vice president of Internet of Things Global Sales and Marketing, said: “The China Users Conference is a great example of the LonWorks community coming together to share experiences. We had people talking about their successes in various vertical markets, as well as how to use LonWorks to generate new business and growth and expand to emerging verticals. This conference is an important vehicle for Echelon to get first-hand feedback from our users and to let our community hear the latest updates and plans from Echelon.”

Phoenix Zheng, Echelon’s country manager of China added: “Echelon’s commitment to the Chinese market is very important and every year we are seeing more excitement about Echelon and the LonWorks technology.  The Internet of Things strategy added even more interest this year and I expect next year will be an even greater event.”

The Users Conference showcased the successful implementations of street lighting, green building, and home automation efforts together with new opportunities in solar, indoor lighting, transportation, industrial, and other vertical markets.

 Presentation highlights included:

• Rongwen showcased its work in street lighting energy management
• Tomwell discussed its Echelon power line communications-based advanced LED drivers
• AMKO talked about smart induction lighting and controls
• Hocen discussed emergency lights and signs
• Nan Jing Tujiu talked about indoor lighting systems
• Lianhong talked about government office building energy monitoring
• Protectwell discussed LonWorks-based sun blind control and lighting systems 
• Street Light SLS talked about home energy management 

Stay tuned for details on the next Users Conference, coming soon.

You might also like:

• Echelon LonWorks web page

Echelon Employees Bring Their Kids to Work

The annual “Bring Your Kids to Work” day was Thursday, April 25, and many children joined their parents at Echelon’s headquarters office in San Jose, California.

The new “Echelon employees” started their day with a welcome and introduction by Varun Nagaraj and Russ Harris, members of Echelon’s executive team.

Then, Tom Jones and Carlos Cuturrufo from Engineering gave the children a tour of the labs.  Steve McKinney from IT gave a tour of the server room and Rob Guzikowski, a product expert, showed the children Echelon’s Demo room.  Wayne Wiebe from Facilities took them around the office building, including the roof, which turned out to be the highlight of the tour and enjoyed most by all the children.

The children also went on a “scavenger hunt” to get them talking and asking questions of the employees. Jason Chien and Melinda Sanders from Customer Support helped with the scavenger hunt and employee questions. 

The questions included: “Find someone who works in finance;”“Locate an employee who has worked here longer than 10 years;” and “Find someone who makes big decisions.” All the children received an Echelon backpack “goodie bag” with a T-shirt, pen, and notepad inside. They also made picture frames and ended their day with a pizza lunch.

This was the 21st anniversary of the U.S. national program and, according to Forbes, more than 37 million employees at more than 3.5 million U.S. workplaces participated in the event. The day was developed by Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation for Women in 1993 and originally intended only for daughters. Ten years later, it was expanded to include sons.  

Schneider Electric Chooses Echelon FT 5000 Smart Transceiver for their MNL Series Building Automation Products

Building automation providers like Schneider Electric claim that with the right system, building owners can significantly reduce heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) costs without compromising safety or comfort.

Schneider Electric, a leading global specialist in energy management, has chosen the Echelon FT 5000 smart transceiver for its Lon based MircoNet Series of controllers. These controllers are used in Schneider’s industry-leading building management systems for commercial buildings, including TAC I/A Series and SmartStruxure solution.

Schneider Electric’s Lon based MicroNet series of programmable controllers comply with the ISO 14908 standard, also called LonWorks. This allows Schneider Electric’s customers to easily extend their control system with LonWorks compatible devices from other manufacturers, and allows the company and its integration partners to customize the control system to meet project specific requirements.

Over the years, the scope of building systems has increased to encompass virtually any device or data source within the building. “Coordinated control across all facility systems can provide up to 30% reduction in overall energy usage, achieving significant cost reductions in operation and maintenance of facilities,” said Ralph Box, Director, HVAC at Schneider Electric.

“We have used Echelon technology in several of our products to add LonWorks-based control networking capabilities. Migrating to the FT 5000 smart transceiver allows us to offer our customers the latest interoperable control networking technology with simplified credit-free installation.”

Pike Research, a leading energy consultancy, estimates that the market for commercial building automation systems will double over the next decade, increasing from $72.5 billion in 2011 to $146.4 billion by 2021.

You might also like:

• Echelon FT 5000 Smart Transceiver webpage
• Echelon LonWorks webpage
• Pike Research website
• Schneider Electric website

Lightsticks LED Art in Seattle Rail Tunnel Uses Echelon Power Line Communications

You might say that artist Bill Bell has tunnel vision. Or more specifically, he’s given riders on the Seattle Light Rail system visions of art in the tunnel.

Bell used Echelon devices to control his “Lightsticks” LED artwork that’s located in the two mile-long tunnels through Beacon Hill. Embedded in the tunnel walls like glowing neon icicles, Bell’s “Lightsticks” let train riders see images – of playing cards, naval signal flags, insects and other underground dwellers – flash on the tunnel walls as the trains fly by.

After consulting with Echelon on the right products to use, Bell designed LED devices spread out over 2000 feet in the inaccessible tunnel interiors. The challenge was that the only way to coordinate and monitor the 22 LED devices was with power line communication. Seattle Light Rail has strict security for the tunnels and reliability was needed in place of regular maintenance.

 

 

Bell used Echelon’s i.LON SmartServer 2.0 as the head-end controller to monitor and control all his end light-point devices. He also used the Echelon PL3150 Evaluation Boards as power line “modems” and connected the host processor of his device to the PL3150 on the Evaluation Board through a serial connection. 

“Normally, art doesn’t require device-level networking,” said Mark Carter, Echelon’s director of sales. “So it was a unique sale. And, the bonus is that Seattle rail passengers get to enjoy this as they travel on the train every day to and from work.”

Bell’s  Subliminary Artworks appear in permanent public art displays. Marrying art with science, these works have appealed to a variety of organizations, including the Los Angeles Metro Gateway, The Exploratorium San Francisco, Roxbury Latin School’s Bauer Science Center, SONY Mediage Expo Tokyo, and Boston University’s Photonics Center. Seattle boasts an earlier Bell artwork in the Metro Station at University Street, and his “tech art” is part of private collections from Hong Kong to Beverly Hills.

You might also like:

• Echelon’s Power Line Communications (PLC) technology web page
• Echelon’s i.LON SmartServer 2.0 brochure
• The website for Bill Bell’s light art
• Seattle Light Rail website

Echelon, ITOCHU, and Mitsui Pilot Street Lighting Control Systems in Japan

Several leading Japanese cities are now piloting street lighting management systems based on technology from Echelon and two of Japan’s leading solution providers, ITOCHU Corporation and Mitsui.

Varun Nagaraj, senior vice president at Echelon, said: “The use of a standards-based control system allows the cities in Japan to manage life-cycle procurement costs by providing them with a choice of luminaires, an expense that is often more than 80% of the cost of the project.”  

The street lighting management systems being piloted are built on the open ISO/IEC 14908 standard and implemented using Echelon’s Power Line Communications (PLC) transceivers and segment controllers, notably Echelon’s new CPD3000 Outdoor Lighting Controllers.

In the city of Tsukuba, Echelon partner ITOCHU Corporation has installed the second phase of a pilot, in cooperation with major Japanese lighting device manufacturers Panasonic and Toshiba. 

ITOCHU, as Echelon’s master distributor in Japan, also collaborated with a new market entrant, Mitsui & Company, for two additional pilot sites: in the city of Higashi Matsushima, part of the earthquake-damaged region of Tohoku, and at the campus of Hiroshima City University in the city of Hiroshima.

The ISO 14908-based solution being deployed in the pilots supports a variety of luminaires, ranging from LEDs from Toshiba and GE to ceramic metal halide lights from GS Yuasa. These lighting systems using Echelon-based lighting control system offer numerous benefits, including:

• Compared to just using high-efficiency lamps, street light management systems further lower energy use and reduce the cost of operating the street light infrastructure.
• In Hiroshima, where rising Japanese electricity prices now rival high-cost Asia-Pacific locations such as Australia and the Philippines, the change-out of high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps to dimmable LEDs is lowering per-lamp electricity consumption by more than 50%, or nearly 120Kg of CO₂ per year, and is expected to save approximately $240 per year per lamp. The use of the control system to set dimming schedules based on weather and traffic patterns delivers 20% to 30% more savings compared to just shifting from HPS to LED.
• Additionally, all the pilots involve the monitoring of lamps from a centralized city location – so failures can be identified and responded to quickly, thereby increasing public safety while reducing maintenance costs.

You might also like:

• ITOCHU’s website
• Mitsui’s website
• Echelon’s Power Line Communications webpage
• CPD3000 Outdoor Lighting Controllers webpage