2007-06-29
The UK building industry is finally realising the benefits of using intelligent building and smart home technology and to help move things forward, ABB is offering vouchers towards KNX products along with valuable advice on grant applications.
Intelligent buildings and smart homes have been growing rapidly in the European market, yet the UK building industry has taken its time to warm up to the this area of innovative technology. Lack of understanding and awareness of what is available and how it can be applied is partially to blame. This is why a panel of five parties representing electrical contractors, manufacturers, industry associations, system integrators and end users came together earlier this month to discuss intelligent building technology and its potential in the UK.
Despite the previous lag in acceptance, the UK intelligent home market in on the verge of swift development, predicted to reach an estimated £250 million by 2012. So with such dramatic growth rates expected, where does the UK even begin?
"e;Three words: Education, education, education,"e; said James Haigh, panel speaker and ABB UK Low-voltage Products General Manager. "e;We need to educate people about the key factors and benefits of this technology."e;
The first step in educating people about this technology is simply defining what "e;smart technology"e; is, as the label is often tossed around the industry without clarity.
"e;Simply defined, the technology is about creating an intelligent building that thinks for you,"e; said Darren Burford, panel speaker and Managing Director of Andromeda Telematics, a system integrator specialising in intelligent building control. "e;Whether it be controlling lighting, heating or ventilation levels or creating a mood for a room with automatically controlled lighting and music, the technology should be able to improve your environment without you even noticing."e;
The KNX standard is an open platform system that controls the intelligent building and smart home. Eliminating any potential compatibility issues, KNX has certified smart technology products from different manufactures that work together to form a smooth running and customized intelligent building or smart home. This compatibility extends past the initial installation, as building operators also have the flexibility of upgrading their technology with changing requirements.
"e;This technology is great for both new and refurbished buildings,"e; said Gareth Rowlands, panel speaker and Product Manager for ABB"e;s i-bus® KNX / EIB products. "e;And with KNX technology you don"e;t have to go out and invest in the full technology right away- you can upgrade."e;
With smart technology generating a buzz in the building industry, the issue of installation needs to be carefully considered. Educating consumers, manufacturers, and building developers is not enough, as contractors are the ones who bring the technology to life.
"e;We are trying to encourage the one-man band and upwards,"e; said Darren Burford regarding the importance of targeting electrical contractors. "e;We are going to give these guys the support and the training that they need."e;
Kicking things off to a great start, ABB is offering KNX-accredited contractors £500 vouchers redeemable towards ABB i-bus® KNX products, or a free demonstration case which the contractor can use to help sell the technology to customers. To become a KNX-accredited contractor, the BRE offers KNX training.
Along with saving energy, intelligent home technology can save users money through grant entitlement. Businesses can offset the capital cost of their energy saving technology investment against their taxable profits through an ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) grant. ABB is offering users of ABB i-bus® KNX technology valuable advice on the steps needed to make a successful ECA grant application.
"e;At the end of the day, people will be convinced by what they see and the ease with which they can get it installed and adapted to their needs,"e; said Alan North, panel speaker and 2006/2007 President of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA). "e;In short, this will require manufacturers to better promote the possibilities of smart technology and to foster stronger partnerships with other key parties including distributors and contractors, property developers and system integrators. There also needs to be greater education amongst electrical contractors, who have a very real opportunity to transform the way they do business by embracing the technology."e;
Those interested in ECA grant advice can email ABB at lv.products@gb.abb.com ref: ECA
Click on the links to find more information on BRE"e;s KNX training and ABB"e;s Intelligent Systems.
| Source: Francoise Snobel - Voltimum |
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