Lawrence Griffiths is the business manager for EnOcean technology at Ivory Egg. He talks to Blinds & Shutters about the company’s wireless building automation system which uses energy from the environment to power, instead of batteries

EnOcean makes this possible by collecting energy from the environment, e.g. from the press of a finger, indoor light, slight temperature differences, or vibrations and by using highly efficient energy converters called “energy harvesters” to power sensors & switches.

Due to this unique combination of miniaturised energy converters and reliable radio technology, EnOcean building controls operate for decades without maintenance.

EnOcean was invented by Siemens but it is now an independent company with over 70 manufacturers using the technology in their products with over half a million of them deployed in tens of thousands of buildings across the world.


Controls for the home

EnOcean blind and shutter controls can be used for a single blind, groups of blinds and all of the blinds in a home.

Up to 30 switches can be linked to one receiver providing multi point control. Central Off functions can easily be provided e.g. when leaving the home a single switch turns off the lights, electrical appliances (TV etc) and lowers the blinds. The actuator has a number of different functions that can be programmed via a push button on the device. A scene function allows for the recall of four different settings which can easily be adjusted and saved by the home owner.

EnOcean switches are versatile, one rocker can be used for blinds control the other for lighting. Switches can be mounted on most surfaces including glass, stone and wood panelling making them ideal for listed buildings.

There are a range of hand-held remotes available in different colours and designs ensuring that blinds/shutters can be controlled from the sofa. There is also a timer unit so blind opening and closing times can easily be automated. The switches green credentials don’t sacrifice design. A wide range of stylish frames and switch bodies provide a very modern looking switch.

With the introduction of a wireless and batterieless card reader EnOcean can be used to control lighting and blinds in hotel rooms. When the room is occupied the guest can control the blinds when they leave the room a control system can decide the optimal position of the blind/shutter. Wireless window contacts can be used to provide a safety interlock so blinds can’t operate when the windows are open

Automated shading controls for commercial buildings

As the BBSA “Shade Specifier” has shown outside shutters and inside blinds can reduce the energy requirement for air-conditioning systems. To achieve this a combination of automated controls and flexible operation at the work area/space by the building’s occupants is required.

Wireless automation systems enable a significant reduction in cabling and installation cost. They provide flexibility by enabling the easy repositioning of switches as building occupancy requirements change. The Torre Espacio tower in Madrid has 4,000 EnOcean switches for blind & lighting controls. Zero battery maintenance is a key requirement for wireless controls to be accepted for fixed fittings such as switches in commercial buildings.

When EnOcean sensors and switches are combined with an intelligent controller they provide a complete shading solution. An external light sensor provides data to a low cost controller which knows the time of day and point in the year and automatically adjusts shading accordingly. An EnOcean switch at a user’s workstation can override automatic control thus providing a perfect and easy to install blend of local and automatic control.

Modular Eco Homes

It’s not just commercial buildings where EnOcean's green credentials are proving popular. The new breed of modular Eco homes often require intelligent shading controls that maximize solar gain in the winter and minimize in spring & summer periods.


EnOcean a future wireless standard

EnOcean is not well known outside of its native Germany but that is set to change. In June MK Electrical, the UK's largest manufacturer of electrical fittings launched its first range of EnOcean switches and lighting controls. MK are a part of the EnOcean Alliance, a non-profit organisation that promotes EnOcean and aims to make it an international standard for sustainable building automation.

• EnOcean