The EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of companies dedicated to the advancement of sustainable building automation, has realized the promise of battery-less and wire-free control systems in terms of natural resource preservation. More than 100,000 buildings worldwide have been fitted with EnOcean-based controls. This installation base has translated into the literal preservation of tons of the world’s natural resources. Because the technology has proved capable of shortening payback periods and dramatically reducing installation costs; EnOcean-based installations have seen exponential growth amid historic downward trends in building construction.

Buildings fitted with self-powered wireless controls consume 30% less wire than do wired solutions. The savings in wire is attributed to the absence of wire between controls (sensors and switches) and controlled devices (lights, heating units, air conditioning, etc.). In addition to being wireless, the controls operate without batteries. EnOcean-enabled controls house energy harvesters which transcend the need for batteries. The sum of batteries saved due to EnOcean’s energy harvesting technology is in the tens of millions.

Starting with 6 founding promoters one year ago, the Alliance has grown to an international organization with over 100 members from 20 different countries. Alliance members have taken extraordinary measures to simplify the way that energy-stingy lighting and HVAC controls are installed. Self-powered wireless sensors and switches are playing a vital role in our nation’s economic and environmental recovery.

At Lightfair in New York (May 5-7), Alliance members will demonstrate that EnOcean has firmly established itself as the leading wireless standard for lighting control. Sixteen manufacturers will showcase EnOcean-based, interoperable solutions at the exposition. Three Alliance members have been nominated for the prestigious Lightfair Innovation Awards: Leviton (Occupancy-based Controls), Echoflex Solutions (SmartSpace Lighting Kit) and Illumra (LED Dimmer).

About EnOcean

No batteries. No Wires. EnOcean (www.enocean.com), the inventor of self-powered wireless sensor & switch modules, manufactures radio modules and energy harvesters that enable BAS (building automation systems). The battery-free modules (powered using ambient sources of solar, thermal and mechanical energy) simplify sustainable green building development by replacing system wires with self-powered wireless links. The company is a spin-off of Siemens AG, one of the premier German technology centers. U.S. operations are based in Boston, MA.

About the EnOcean Alliance

Leading companies worldwide from the building sector collected to form the EnOcean Alliance and establish innovative automation solutions for sustainable building projects – and so to make buildings more energy-efficient, more flexible and lower in cost. The core technology of the Alliance is self-powered wireless technology from EnOcean for flexibly positioned and service-free sensor solutions. The EnOcean Alliance aims to standardize and internationalize EnOcean wireless technology, and is dedicated to creating interoperability between the products of OEM partners. More than 100 companies currently belong to the EnOcean Alliance. Headquarters of the non-profit organization is located in San Ramon, California. For more information visit www.enocean-alliance.org.