Intelligent 'green' building automation for simple management
May 2007Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Recently, Beckhoff products were chosen for the lighting control system for the new FNB Homeloans/Wesbank head offices in Fairlands, Johannesburg. This new project, in conjunction with A2Z Electrical and SAM Automation, is the largest of its kind in South Africa at present.
"With a good track record and installed base in South Africa, Beckhoff products have been successfully implemented with clients like Telkom, Anglo American, Vodaworld, Department of Science and Technology (CSIR), Durban International Convention Centre and more," says Conrad Muller of Beckhoff Automation. "Beckhoff implements open automation systems which are inherently extremely well suited for building technology.
"Traditionally, the integrated control technology has been used in office buildings and industrial production facilities for industrial building automation, although more recently home automation has become an expanding market. The diverse functions of a building are based on thousands of data points that have to be acquired, transferred, interpreted centrally and visualised. Modern facility management must be able to respond flexibly and quickly to changes in the building and its utilisation."
Muller continues: "Implementing Dali/DSI lighting controls with Eib and Lon bus systems, with connections to fire detection, security and access control, heating and cooling systems is as simple as connecting to another fieldbus protocol. Using Ethernet as existing building backbone, it simplifies connection of all disparate systems under Beckhoff's control architecture.
"Monitoring power consumption through the use of our KL3403 power measurement terminal verifies building energy consumption and load distribution. With effective control of lighting applications based on ambient light, motion, occupancy and day/night as well as time-based control, the Beckhoff solution easily reduces energy consumption in these areas. Through our interaction with HVAC systems, major electricity savings can be achieved through the Beckhoff system acting as additional sensor inputs to such systems.
"Saving energy is becoming a major effort to be employed by everyone in South Africa," Muller concludes.
Yokogawa’s free chlorine analyser is gold standard for water treatment utilities Yokogawa South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
One of the key factors in ensuring safe drinking water is the accurate monitoring of free chlorine residuals. This is where advanced online analysers, such as Yokogawa’s FC800 free chlorine analyser, are becoming increasingly valuable for water treatment operators and municipal utilities.
Read more...Cooling tower bleed control
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Cooling towers rely on evaporation to remove heat, but this process also concentrates dissolved solids in the system. Left unmanaged, this buildup can lead to scaling, corrosion and fouling, reducing efficiency and increasing maintenance costs.
Read more...40 years of PC-based control Beckhoff Automation
News
When Beckhoff elevated the industrial computer to the status of a central control system four decades ago, a paradigm shift occurred.
Read more...Dynamic control of industrial solar plants and energy storage systems Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
Spanish Group, Power Electronics has demonstrated its comprehensive expertise in sustainable energy supply in over 3000 solar and energy storage projects with a total installed capacity of 120 GW. To control its modular systems, the company relies on open, high-performance Beckhoff control technology.
Read more...Importance of gas analysis in the petrochemical industry Elemental Analytics
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Gas analysis plays a critical role in petrochemical operations, supporting process optimisation, product quality and plant safety. As an experienced and expert gas analysis supplier, Elemental Analytics can provide the correct analyser and sample system package to meet individual plant requirements.
Read more...Filters for zero-alcohol wine
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The market for zero-alcohol wine is creating fresh opportunities for wine producers, but processing these products creates new contamination challenges. Technical support from an established filtration specialist, such as Parker, can help wineries in overcoming the challenges posed by the increased risk of contamination.
Read more...Modular control platform for the hydrogen industry Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
With a seamless modular control solution from Beckhoff featuring over 500 data points and numerous ELX series terminals with intrinsically safe interfaces, Greenlight Innovation is breaking new ground in hydrogen testing.
Read more...Remote monitoring solution for sewage plants ifm - South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
With ifm’s remote monitoring solution, you can visualise the condition of the submersible pumps in your sewage plant and diagnose issues before they become serious problems.
Read more...PC-based control for additive machine tools Beckhoff Automation
Electrical Power & Protection
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version