New technology in services control is bringing endless possibilities. But what exactly is on offer?
Times are changing for services engineers. Rapid advances in technology mean that it has never been more imperative to stay in touch with new developments. The days when engineers chose the tried and tested option over innovation are coming to an end. Clients are demanding ever more user-friendly and energy-efficient products, and engineers are increasingly finding traditional solutions are no longer able to cope.

Yet, far from it being a time of frantic head scratching for engineers trying to find the right solution, advances in technology mean ideas which were previously only concepts are now becoming a reality. Manufacturers are developing systems that can meet and surpass clients' demands by producing what are described as 'intelligent' or 'smart' systems and controls. Heating, lighting, air conditioning, security and fire safety services are all facing a major change as building control systems link together, creating intelligent buildings.

Such developments should make life easier for everyone with an interest in saving energy. The new systems are designed to save energy at every opportunity. The latest developments may be the result of sophisticated programming, but they use obvious and simple principles, such as window sensors installed in offices to switch off air-conditioning units whenever a window is opened.

There are also systems which use sensors to control light levels. They provide a preset light level that is maintained by measuring exterior light, which adjusts interior lighting levels accordingly. Used in conjunction with motion detectors, which turn lights on or off depending on presense detection, they provide a simple but highly efficient form of lighting use.

The use of motion detectors is a common feature in many buildings and eliminates the possibility of people forgetting to turn lights off when they leave. Yet recent advancements have seen an increasing popularity in the installation of systems that form a lighting network, which can be controlled locally, eliminating the chance of lighting being left on unnecessarily anywhere in the building.

Lighting the way
For instance, Philips has recently installed a system at an office in London that interconnects all the lighting – meaning a whole floor can be controlled by one single switch. Similarly, the C-Bus system from Clipsal uses twisted-pair cable to interconnect huge networks, enabling whole lighting systems to be controlled locally. Using twisted-pair allows for vast networks to be created just as simply as smaller networks. The company has recently completed a project at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium where all the structure's lighting can be controlled and monitored locally. Additionally, the company is involved with a number of residential developers with a view to installing lighting networks in domestic properties – allowing occupants to have full control of lighting, which will undoubtedly lead to savings in energy costs.

Blinds and shutters have traditionally been used to control interior light levels, yet nowadays they are finding a new use – as a form of heating control. Systems can be installed which use temperature sensors to lower or raise blinds and shutters according to a preset room temperature, avoiding unnecessary heat loss and also reducing the need to employ the air-conditioning system.

Makes sense
Motion detectors can be incorporated into systems to affect heat levels by turning up systems when a person is detected. In some cases blind controls can be integrated to heating systems, ensuring rooms do not overheat when exposed to direct sunlight.

Heating costs are a major concern to all clients and eliminating unnecessary use of heat is always welcomed. An innovative project by Next Controls Group for the Marriot Hotels has seen a system developed that links heating with guests checking in and out. Heating systems are turned on when the guests arrive and turned off when they leave. The system also has a link-up with air-conditioning units in the hotel so temperature parameters can be set.

Intelligent control systems have the ability to maintain defined temperature levels in a number of ways. A project undertaken by York Controls saw the fitting of special sequence controls for the office of Associated Newspapers in London. At the centre of the nine-storey building is an atrium feature that requires strict temperature control to maintain comfort conditions across the year.

The system uses sensors on windows to monitor glass temperature. In 'summer mode', when the system detects that the average glass temperature is above set point, both the supply and extract fans are activated with dampers set to 100% fresh air. The program is said to reduce energy consumption by providing fresh air at the required building temperature, so no further heating or cooling is required. During 'winter mode', when the outside air is below the set point, the dampers are set at just 20% fresh air, taking advantage of recirculated air.

Future developments will see services become increasingly aware of their environment

These examples are merely a snapshot of what is currently on the market. Smart controls fitted into buildings bring obvious benefits in terms of energy saving and optimising performance levels of individual services. Yet it is not until the systems are brought together that we begin to see the real advantages of smart control. Integrating the services produces what is referred to as an 'intelligent building'.

There are many different levels of integration available – it all depends on just how intelligent you want a building to be – and how much capital outlay clients are prepared to invest.

The Odyssey Project in Belfast has an integrated system installed by Honeywell that offers control over all the services from one source. The Enterprise Building Integrator (EBI) uses three software applications that can all be accessed from a single pc.

At Odyssey the services are separate entities that come together at one single source. The software also maintains records of the building's energy and lighting use and will inform operators when abnormal conditions occur.

The level of integration is obviously dependent on the needs of the client and at Odyssey treating the services as individual concerns sufficed, yet integration can take on a further level if required – one where potentially all services are connected via a single twisted-pair cable bus network.

There are a number of these networked systems on the market, with EIB (European Installation Bus) and Lonworks being the most common. They are referred to as 'open systems' as they can connect any configured product onto the network. Systems can be installed in either domestic or larger applications. The systems have the ability to measure, monitor, regulate and control all of the services from the same network.

The most obvious benefit from this is the practicality of the whole system – not to mention the reduced installation costs. It also allows for the possibility of services communicating and working together, such as heating and ventilation or security and fire.

Already open
There are numerous examples of 'open systems' being installed successfully all over the world, with the Treptowers in Berlin and the Banking Centre in Zurich being just a couple.

By integrating services in this way the possibilities for future development is increased substantially. There is still a fair way to go before buildings can genuinely think for themselves and be truly considered intelligent. Future developments will see services become increasingly aware of their environment and making appropriate adjustments for themselves.

There are of course concerns regarding integrated packages. What happens if the system fails? Who is responsible? There are back-ups available, but as with all types of new technology, there are inevitably questions about its reliability. More data is needed before the pros and cons of these systems can be fully understood.