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[DV8]

Hi guys,

In a recent news article, I read that a new ZigBee wireless environmental automation system is enabling hotels and other facilities to eliminate energy waste and slash energy costs up to 40 percent.

This system uses ZigBee wireless networking technology to let property owners automate and control the energy efficiency of every room, without compromising the comfort of occupants.

This yields huge savings by dramatically reducing wasteful electric and fuel consumption of HVAC systems. And since it’s wireless, WiSuite can be retrofitted easily and affordably into existing buildings.

Using this technology the hotel expects to save more than $2.2 million in energy costs per year. This equates to 14,678 megawatt hours of electricity — enough energy to power 2,332 households yearly — and will eliminate 12,500 metric tons of coal-generated carbon dioxide emissions, making a significant, positive environmental impact.

With all of the positive implication of this technology, I strongly feel that this will be the wave of the future as building owners realize the value of having an energy smart solution. 40% energy savings is nothing to laugh at if the numbers are correct.

Any thoughts on this?

DV8

[Zinc22]

Mind if I ask a few questions ? 

- Link to article ?
- What system are they talking about ? Brand & make ?

Tks.

BTW, I do believe in the potential saving of such a solution.....Let's face it. North America as a continent is pretty well built up. The potential for the future in my opinion lies in small / medium building energy solutions and performance contracting.

Cheers.

[emmsys]

Hi,

ZigBee has provisions for low-power devices (called End Devices...these are usually battery powered). However for a mesh to be built, there needs to be ZigBee routers around to allow messages to be routed everywhere in the network. These routers need to be mains powered. I'm not sure that just using battery powered devices results in all the energy savings. These automation systems need to have efficient equipment, like (Viconics!) thermostats. How often do you walk into a hotel room and a number of lights are on and the air conditioning is at max? Imagine having a room with motion detectors and thermostat with setpoints configured for a comfortable room? There's your energy savings!

e

[DV8]

Mind if I ask a few questions ? 

- Link to article ?
- What system are they talking about ? Brand & make ?

Tks.

BTW, I do believe in the potential saving of such a solution.....Let's face it. North America as a continent is pretty well built up. The potential for the future in my opinion lies in small / medium building energy solutions and performance contracting.

Cheers.

Zinc22,

Here is the link to the full article: http://www.automatedbuildings.com/releases/oct06/061017031150zigbee.htm

I got it from the News section of the www.communicatingthermostats.com website RSS feeds!

DV8

[emmsys]

Hi,

The company that developed the solution is not a part of the ZigBee Alliance! That's blasphemy!    It's great to hear of some real ZigBee installations. Let the fun begin...

e