Smart device companies wage war on wire (www.guardian.co.uk, 10.08.2010)

"Enocean Alliance is a consortium of companies that use self-powered wireless technology to make products like these, helping buildings to become more efficient. Enocean is a wireless standard, like Zigbee or Bluetooth, but is designed for simple operations and minimal energy usage. Because most of the devices they seek to replace require very little power, they only make small gains in energy efficiency. But Enocean's chief executive officer Graham Martin says the windfall gains come from the ease and flexibility of renovating buildings. Instead of having to install new wiring systems throughout a building, or hire personnel to replace batteries, organisations can simply stick the switches or monitors on the wall, avoiding any disruption to day-to-day operations. This makes it easier for organisations to install 'smart' systems that coordinate energy output based on information about light, heat and usage in various rooms. Martin says that more than 100,000 installations have taken place and that the devices can reduce costs by up to 30% as part of a smart system."

Oceans of Energy (www.techfocusmedia.net, 10.08.2010)

"It’s a neat trick: the switch for the light is a self contained unit, with no external wires or internal battery. Simply toggling the light switch generates enough power to send an RF signal to a control unit to turn on, or off, the light. More broadly, the switch could be a button, and the signal sent could be used to control almost anything. The company behind this approach is EnOcean, a spin-off from Siemens based just to the south of Munich[...] In less than ten years, EnOcean has created a standard communication protocol, a set of energy harvesting interfaces, communications chips, integrated modules and development kits. Perhaps more importantly, the EnOcean Alliance has developed into an ecosystem of companies (already over 150) using the technology to build products and deploy applications. The EnOcean Alliance seems to be concentrating on building automation, and it claims that there are over 100,000 buildings incorporating EnOcean products. EnOcean itself is keen to push the technology into other areas, such as monitoring manufacturing machinery[...] The EnOcean Alliance has also created a guide to meeting the US Green Building Council’s LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Rating Systems."

EnOcean technology pairs wireless building automation with an energy saving strategy (www.todaysfacilitymanager.com,August 2010)

click here for the detailed article

Going wireless with lighting (www.kenilworth.com, August 2010)

"[...] Whether taking the form of a laptop computer's Internet access or a mobile phone, the benefits of going wireless have alway been tied into the technology's ability to provide flexibility for users. However, avoiding a hardwired solution can also be freeing for designers and building owners. The Olympic Village townhomes in Whistler undergoing significant floor plan re-configurations, took advantage of this concept by using self-powered wireless lighting controls. Now that the XXI Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games have come to a close, walls will be removed to revert back to floor plans more suitable for single families. Specifically athlete bedrooms will become living and dining areas. In order to keep pace with major re-configurations, Cheakamus Crossing Village managers chose energy harvesting and wireless lighting controls - a decision that had them save 70 per cent in installation and renovation costs when compared to hardwired solutions. The lighting control application is unique, but illustrates the benefits of the technology and how it could be widely applied. The system incorporates the self-powered and wireless attributes inherent to the open proprietary EnOcean standard. (EnOcean is not a manufacturer - rather it is a true, interoperable protocol subscribed to by 150 'Alliance' members that create various systems and products comptabile with the standard). [...]"

Wireless accessories (Electrical Times, June 2010)

"[...]Where are they used? Very widely is the answer, and one notable application is in Barclays Bank retail branches. The bank approached Client Support Services Limited (CSS) to provide a global solution for its branches that would, among other things, provide enhanced control over energy usage[...] Nick Clark, director of CSS commented, "We have found that EnOcean products offer a technically advanced system for wireless communication, that they provide our clients with a sustainable solution. They also offer an excellent return of investment of the lifecycle of the installation." EnOcean devices are also starting to appear in UK schools. GDL Air Systems Limited is using the technology to monitor occupancy and CO2 levels in classrooms as the basis for controlling natural air ventilation[...] EnOcean technology is gaining ground just as quickly in Europe[...] Wireless technologies are entering more and more areas of our lives. Many homes now have a wireless network for computers and game consoles: most of us use cordless phones and all but the oldest cars have wireless locking systems. Until now, however, we've still relied on conventional wiring to control lights, heating, air conditioning and the like. EnOcean technology is already starting to make big inroads in these areas and it seems likely that, in the not too distant future, a conventionally wired light switch will seem as archaic as a laptop computer that you actually have to plug into your network."

EnOcean Alliance validates UK foothold with major building references (Incisor Magazine, June 2010)

"IncisorTV attended the Open House Exhibition, where EnOcean Alliance member companies demonstrated a broad selection of energy saving products ranging from occupancy sensors, key cards, LED-dimmer systems, thermostats, window contacts and CO2 sensors. Furthermore, the world’s first solar energy free ventilation application for schools was showcased by Distech Controls. Utilising a combination of free ventilation and solar power, via a solarpowered radio sensor module from EnOcean, the Solar EnergyMax manages air supply and extraction in buildings. The internal fan unit has a D.C motor which is driven by either a solar photovoltaic cell or a dry cell battery to keep it constantly charged for operation through the night and enabled for up to three days without any form of light. The Solar EnergyMax system is currently rolling out to schools throughout the North and South of England. Visitors were offered practical advice from member companies on how to simply and quickly save energy and carbon footprint in existing and new buildings. Using selfpowered wireless switches and sensors enabled by the EnOcean standard building professionals can reduce planning, installation and rework time and costs - even retrofit without any disruption."

Swimming with Dolphins: How EnOcean's new energy harvesting platform will keep wireless afloat (Incisor Magazine, June 2010)

"I received an email a week or so ago from the EnOcean Alliance, inviting me to its first open house exhibition in London. The exhibition was staged to showcase the continuing success and growth of EnOcean technology, drawing on the fact that the technology has already been successfully deployed in over 100.000 buildings across the world. Furthermore, EnOcean boasts several prominent British companies as part of its alliance, namely Barclays Bank, O2 and Scottish & Southern Energy. The star of the great event, however, was undoubtedly EnOcean's all new wireless sensor network and software development kit, he Dolphin Platform.[...]"

I've seen the future! (www.epdonthenet.net, 28.05.2010)

"And I didn’t have to travel at 88mph and rely upon a flux capacitor. Instead, British Rail, or whatever they’re calling themselves this week, whisked me at somewhat less than 88mph to a press conference in central London, where the EnOcean Alliance were demonstrating the latest wireless technology. Under the banner of ‘No Wires. No Batteries. No Limits’, EnOcean wireless technology is able to generate a signal from a tiny amount of energy. In fact, from just 50µWs, a standard EnOcean wireless module can transmit a signal 300m. Incredibly, the entire process is started, executed and completed in no more than a thousandth of a second. On demonstration at the conference was EnOcean’s third generation energy harvesting wireless sensors and iPhone application. The Dolphin platform, the first self-powered wireless sensor modules capable of two-way communications, will be featured in our June 2010 issue, but the ‘wow’ factor came in the visual demonstration of the iPhone App that was developed by BSC-Magnum. It monitors and controls EnOcean-enabled wireless solutions from virtually anywhere. By gliding a finger across the iPhone’s screen, lights can be switched on or dimmed, and remote control of electrical devices was possible. The App also provided a view of real time data such as temperature and humidity, enabling users to track total energy use."

Wireless Energy Harvesting Technology Can Cut Fuel Bills (energy-conservation.suite101.com, 21.5.2010)

"Hotels, schools and residential blocks are seeing large energy savings by installing wireless energy harvesting technology based on the Enocean standard. Energy harvesting is a technology that uses the existing environment as a source for energy rather than drawing on mains electricity or batteries. But a growing group of companies are combining this with wireless technology to help building management systems reduce energy consumption even further. The group is known as the Enocean Alliance and its 150 members have been installing this technology for a couple of years now and it is already in more than 150,000 buildings. Results from schools and hotels have seen energy bills cut by twenty to thirty per cent and a recent installation at student accommodation in the UK saw savings of forty per cent."

Munich - global hub of energy harvesting (www.energyharvestingjournal.com, 7.5.2010)

"The Munich based EnOcean GmbH has through the EnOcean Alliance, put "no wires, no batteries, no hassle" building controls into over 100,000 buildings with rapid paybacks and huge environmental benefits. For example Torre Cristal, Madrid, Spain became the world's tallest building with a wireless sensor networking building automation system. This new construction of 52 floors has 1,200 battery-less wireless modules connected to an EIB/KNX building automation system. Savings include 40% lighting energy costs, 33 kilometers of cable and 80% cost of retrofitting. EnOcean is a spin off of Munich electrical giant Siemens, which also participated in this project. At the conference, Mr Armin Anders, Co-Founder & Vice President of Product Marketing for EnOcean GmbH, Germany will speak on EnOcean - Integrated Approach for Energy Harvesting Wireless covering how energy harvesting wireless sensors are in mass production. He will explain how the World's first system-on-chip enables self-powered 2-way communication and will also cover realization of self-powered wireless actuators."

Wireless sensing system is bidirectional (www.drives.co.uk, March 2010)

"The wireless sensing specialist EnOcean has developed a technology that allows self-powered wireless sensors and actuators to receive information as well as transmitting it. The German company says that the bidirectional capability of its Dolphin platform will open up new applications. It will also be able to acknowledge the receipt of wireless signals, thus helping to detect and correct problems immediately. The wireless modules (above) harvest the energy they need to transmit control commands from their surroundings – from solar cells, differences in temperature, or the movement of a button, for example – eliminating the need for complicated and costly cabling. The modules are based on a chip with an energy converter interface and a complete RF transceiver. OEMs can integrate the new modules into their product ranges, and devices from different manufacturers can communicate and co-operate with each other."

Hong Kong's growing expertise in "efficient building" (www.hktdc.com, 12.2.2010)

"One of the wireless technologies with great opportunities is the self-powered wireless technology from the EnOcean Alliance. The company's solutions make use of energy created from slight changes in motion, pressure, light, temperature or vibration. The radio sensors do not require batteries for operation. According to a study carried out by the German research lab IFE Krefeld, the daily energy requirement for heating can be reduced by 40% through the use of electronically-operated window contacts. When a window is opened, a contact switch - which works without batteries - transmits a radio signal to re-set the heating in the room. This calculation is based on the assumption that the room is aired for a total of one hour with an inside and outside temperature difference of 10 degrees Celsius. The same applies to air-conditioning systems: when opening a window, the air-conditioning simply goes off. Electronically-controlled window contacts are a reliable means to show enormous energy saving potential. Fitting a building with such contacts previously proved quite complex and expensive due to the cabling required. Small radio sensors now help unlock this savings potential as an inexpensive alternative, even through retrofitting. The next step will be for governments to define building energy codes for existing buildings. Experts agree that BAS will become part of a huge retrofitting and renovation market. EnOcean is already at work in Asia: "[Hong Kong headquartered] Suffice Industrial Technology Limited is distributing EnOcean products on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, with other distributors serving Japan, South Korea and Singapore," said Michael Gartz, International Sales Manager with EnOcean."

Emmanuel François crée BBC-Concept... et participe au renforcement NOMINATIONS de la présence d’EnOcean en France (L3E, 5.2.2010)

"Après 25 années d’un parcours professionnel « bien rempli » (voir encadré), Emmanuel François vient de créer la sarl BBC Concept, société de conseil en « business development » spécialisée dans les domaines des EnR et de l’Efficacité énergétique. D’ores et déjà, le démarrage de son activité s’appuie sur deux contrats :
– d’une part, avec le français Wirecom Technologies, société créée par Thierry Allard se définissant comme « fournisseur de solutions d’économies d’énergie dans les bâtiments et habitations ». Emmanuel François conserve la fonction de directeur commercial exercée chez son dernier employeur… mais en « externe » dorénavant
– d’autre part, avec l’allemand EnOcean, l’inventeur de la technologie radio sans pile permettant le développement de solutions à base de capteurs radio, sans maintenance, et utilisées dans le bâtiment et les installations industrielles. Dans la L3E 1324 du 8 mai 2009, EnOcean ne cachait d’ailleurs pas que « la France représente un pays majeur » et que l’entreprise, présidée par Marcus Brehler avait prévu l’embauche d’une présence dans notre pays. C’est à présent chose faite, Emmanuel François ayant à charge une double mission : développer de nouveaux partenariats avec des OEM français et promouvoir des solutions porteuses de cette technologie auprès de grands donneurs d’ordres exerçant dans le tertiaire et le résidentiel.
Priorités qu’Emmanuel François traduit par un double objectif. « Côté OEM, je privilégie la recherche d’un partenariat avec un fabricant d’appareillage », en sachant que BTicino, filiale italienne de Legrand, propose déjà des solutions utilisant la technologie EnOcean et que Jung et Vimar viennent à leur tour de lancer une gamme RF au standard EnOcean. « Côté projets tertiaires, l’entreprise allemande collabore déjà avec des entreprises intervenant sur le marché français. Ensemble, et avec d’autres intervenants, à moi de créer la demande en prescrivant ces solutions aux investisseurs et à la maîtrise d’ouvrage », précise Emmanuel François en ajoutant que, dans un proche avenir, il lui restera un problème à résoudre. « Celui de la commercialisation, dans notre pays, d’autres fabricants intégrant la technologie EnOcean, mais non encore présentes en France ». Le choix est large puisque, depuis 2003, date de la création d’EnOcean, 150 sociétés intègrent aujourd’hui sa technologie dans le monde. A la question de l’interopérabilité, Emmanuel François répond que « le protocole EnOcean est un des rares à présenter une parfaite interopérabilité entre tous les produits de marques différentes ». Par ailleurs, il existe des passerelles vers les principaux protocoles du marché (KNX, LON, TCP-IP et tout récemment BACnet). Enfin, en avant première, Emmanuel François nous annonce l’arrivée prochaine de l’« Overkiz box », une offre domotique développée par la Spin-Off de Somfy (Overkiz) permettant d’interfacer les technologies RF (868 MHz) IO Homecontrol, RTS (Radio Technology Somfy), EnOcean et Zwave. Peut-être une future mission pour BBC Concept?"

EnOcean (www.automation.com, January 2010)

"The EnOcean Alliance (www.enocean-alliance.org) had a large display demonstrating products from various members. The companies exhibiting products at the EnOcean Alliance booth included Verve Living Systems (a MASCO company), Echoflex, AdHoc Electronics / Illumra, EnOcean Inc., Kieback & Peter, and BSC Magnum Energy Solutions. In addition, companies demonstrating EnOcean-based products in other areas of AHR Expo included Distech Controls, Functional Devices, Spartan Controls, LonMark, Spartan Peripheral Devices, Tridium, Reliance, Beckhoff, Can2Go, PSG, S4 Group, Intesis, Regulvar. The EnOcean Alliance is a consortium of 130 companies. The EnOcean Alliance also is partnering with other organizations, BACnet, LONmark, and Greenlink Alliance."

EnOcean &BACnet Interoperability (www.automation.com, January 2010)

"BACnet International (www.bacnetinternational.org) and the EnOcean Alliance (www.enocean-alliance.org) announced cooperation with BACnet’s Wireless Networking-Working Group (WN-WG) to develop a vendor independent gateway specification for integrating EnOcean-based wireless energy-harvesting nodes into the BACnet data communications protocol. The working group’s standardization efforts aim to ensure the interoperability of multiple EnOcean and BACnet solutions available today or in development, as well as future implementations."

Developer of Self-Powered Wireless Technology Receives Eight Million Euro from Existing and New Investors (www.svmadvertising.com, 12.1.2010)

"EnOcean GmbH, recently announced successful completion of a new round of financing. The company will devote eight million Euro in new funding to leveraging the development of energy-autonomous wireless technology and expanding its international market presence. Two new capital providers – SET Venture Partners and the Kathrein group – join existing investors to finance future growth."

Key card-based energy management becoming more commonplace (Hotel Business Magazine, 2.1.2010)

"Having successfully tested its wireless energy management system in individual Wyndham, Hilton, and Le Meridien hotels, among others, Magnum Energy Solutions is completing its rst installation this month at the Penn Club in New York. A critical component of Magnum’s Venergy product is the electronic key card issued to guests at the front desk when they check in. When they enter the guestroom, they insert the key card into its dock located on the wall by the front door. “That alerts the system that the room is occupied. When guests leave the room, they take the key card with them, automatically shutting o the television and any lights controlled by the system, while also setting the in-room HVAC system back to its preset mode,” explained Magnum President Josh Felber. In its beta tests, Magnum has seen energy savings range from roughly 28% to 59%, depending on the type and location of the hotel as well as seasonality of the test, according to the company. In the case of the 293- room Wyndham hotel, which is located in New England, the property’s owner was on track to see a 33% saving in energy costs, which would amount to more than $73,000 on an annual basis."

Swappable Switches (Verve Popular Science Article, February 2010)

"Most houses require hundreds of feet of electrical wire to connect light switches to a main power source, but not my eco friendly dream home. I've installed a wireless lighting system called Verve that uses radio waves instead of copper wiring to command all the lights and outlets in my house. The system not only saves copper (imagine the savings in a skyscraper) but also lets me put switches wherever I want - beside the kids' beds, in my pocket or even on the dash of my car - without the need to pull out wires or rip up walls. A small module inside each light switch harvests energy from the motion of turning the switch on or off and uses it to transmit radio signal up to 300 feet away to a centrl 10-channel controller that's hardwired to my fuse box. Since the switches generate their own power, they require no batteries, wires or messy electrical channels carved into my brand-new insulated wall pannels."

GE, Philips, SNCF to present at world's largest energy harvesting event (www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk, 25.1.2010)

"Recent improvements in energy harvesters have resulted in cheaper, higher output versions becoming available. This is converging with new appropriate storage techniques (where storage is required), and new ultra low power electronics. One of the biggest applications will be energy harvesting powered wireless sensors - 90% of trials of wireless sensors today fail to move to roll-out because they use batteries which have a short lifetime and are a huge cost to replace every few years. Energy harvesters overcome that problem. [...] In the built environment miles of cabling is being saved per building as companies such as EnOcean apply wireless switches for lighting controls that are powered wholly by the action of pressing the switch."

Perrysburg School Gym Using DimOnOff's (8.1.2010, Energy Harvesting Journal)

"DimOnOff lighting controls, enabled by EnOcean's energy harvesting wireless technologies, disrupted the status quo by provided alarming reductions in energy consumption at a junior high school in Perrysburg, OH. The retrofitted system disposed of energy inefficient lighting and replaced controls and fixtures - proving again that extraordinary results can be achieved by simple means. Using only existing wires, system integrators replaced the inefficient single-zone system and created custom lighting scenarios for the school. The school's lighting system was upgraded overnight in an 8-hour span without having to run new wires or shutdown the gym at any point. Classic retrofit installation barriers, such as wiring constraints and concrete walls, were overcome by DimOnOff's innovative hybrid approach to lighting. The solution combines DimOnOff's powerline-system with energy harvesting and wireless performances enabled by EnOcean. The post-installation results were extensive; a reduction in energy consumption was noted immediately, expanded multi-zone lighting was established, lighting quality was improved, and several Ohio-state sustainability tax incentives were achieved, amounting to a yearly savings of at least $5,000. The upgraded system includes 8 zones of lighting. The wireless energy harvesting controls immediately extended the flexibility of the system. Low level lighting is used during gym classes, while high output is reserved for sports events. When lighting scenarios change, modifications or additions can be easily made via laptop or web access. Tax Incentives and Sustainability Paybacks Provide Exponential Return on Investment The State of Ohio provides large tax incentives for sustainable school buildings. Utility energy efficiency incentives offer rebates as high as $145 per fixture. In addition, the retrofit qualified the school for the HB264 Energy Conservation Measure providing additional incentives. With the use of wireless technology, the gymnasium's installation tax incentives and sustainability paybacks amounted to a total savings of more than $5,000 annually."

Energy Harvesting, Wireless and Next Generation Building Energy Management (www.automatedbuildings.com, January 2010)

"Wires run through buildings like veins run through our bodies. Wires are pervasive and vital to day-to-day operations; however, today’s brave new “green” world warrants consideration for solutions that reach beyond the confines of wires. As one decade comes to a close, EnOcean asserts that the next decade will feature wireless and batteryless controls which will carry building energy initiatives where wires fall short. Widespread BAS (building automation system) integration has been stalled by installation costs and ominous tasks such as pulling wire through walls and ceilings. Battery-dependent wireless solutions can overcome some installation barriers, but the market has indicated it will not tolerate the maintenance issues tied to them. If the goal is to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, then BAS integrators need non-invasive installation means and payback data that tips the scale in favor of spending the money to modernize existing buildings. Now that more than 100,000 buildings have been fitted with EnOcean-based products and energy reductions are in the books, a case is being made that wireless energy harvesting controls provide a radically easy form of BAS integration. The hallmark of the EnOcean wireless standard is batteryless and wireless communications. The technology stems from a simple observation: where sensors capture measured values, the energy state is constantly changing. For example, when a switch is pressed; temperatures and luminance levels change. These rudimentary operations generate enough energy to transmit radio signals that automate lighting and HVAC control. Instead of batteries or line power, EnOcean uses miniaturized energy converters and capacitors that power sensors and switches. EnOcean’s bottomless power generation comes from ambient sources such as linear motion, light and temperature differentials. Low power radio modules, energy harvesting modules and application-specific engineering combine into easy-to-install sensors, switches, gateways and controllers. Energy harvesting enables the generation of radio signals from extremely small amounts of energy. Using just 50 micro watts of harvested power, an EnOcean-based control can transmit a radio signal 1,000 feet (150 feet is typically indoors – through walls and ceilings). An important part of the patented secret is using short signal durations - the entire radio transmission process starts, executes and completes in less than one thousandth of a second."

EnOcean Closes Round of Funding As More Companies Seek to Deploy Cost Efficient Technology (www.ventureloop.com, 07.01.2010)

"EnOcean has reportedly completed a round of funding by new and existing investors that will infuse the organization with eight million Euros. SET Venture Partners and the Kathrein group joined Wellington Partners and other existing investors in the financing that will aid in the development of energy-autonomous wireless technology and also expand its international presence. EnOcean is working to help companies make themselves greener through the development of energy-autonomous wireless technology. The wireless network technology they are developing is designed to function without the need for wires or cable installation, which will enable easy configuration of office furniture and equipment and save on energy and service costs. The company is currently developing self-powered wireless sensors that EnOcean believes will help companies free themselves of batteries and make themselves more cost efficient and sustainable. The reduction in bulky cables and wires can help users of the technology see energy and time savings as well as reduce the dangers of fire risk and inductive fields, reducing maintenance and installation costs. EnOcean’s technology has wide applications for building tenants and builders alike, as it enables construction companies to focus on building facilities and not needing to constantly factor in cabling and office equipment configurations. Quite simply, EnOcean offers great versatility alongside cost-effective energy consumption. Companies who utilize EnOcean technology are better enabled to become more cost efficient, create a safer office environment, and eliminate much of the upkeep of equipment associated with changing batteries and laying new wiring. The investment in EnOcean is the latest in a trend of companies moving towards the elimination of bulky and costly equipment that decreases versatility and drain funds that could be put to better use than simple upkeep costs. EnOcean is based in San Ramon, California."

Insurance Giant Goes for the LEED "Gold" (www.automatedbuildings.com, January 2010)

"Global climate change and rising energy prices mean that efficiency, sustainability and flexibility in building are becoming increasingly important. To successfully implement these prerequisites, more and more operators and owners of buildings are investing in modern automation. The aim is to automate various functions – such as control of lighting, shading or heating – with the aid of innovative technologies and sustainable solutions, thus making them simpler and more economical. The user benefits from extra comfort and convenience, the operator or owner of a building has an object they can lease for an attractive return. Sustainable building can be made measurable and transparent by the award of a LEED certificate. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification was developed by the US Green Building Council in 1998 as a suite of standards to classify the sustainability of buildings. It is a voluntary certification procedure to promote environment-friendly and economical building. Rating is by a points system, these being awarded for sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources plus indoor environmental quality. There are four levels of LEED qualification: certified, silver, gold and platinum. The commonest recipients of LEED certification are office buildings, schools and universities. One example of LEED gold level certification is the corporate headquarters of the Canadian Promutuel insurance group."

Hawaiian Hotel Counters Rising Electricity Cost With EnOcean Technology (www.hotelsmag.com, 30.11.2009)

"Contrary to what you might believe, the sun does not always shine for hotel owners in Hawaii. They are not only feeling the present economic slump, the price of electricity has reached a record level and obviously shows as a big minus on their balance sheet. Figures released by the US Department of Energy show that the basic price for electricity in Hawaii is almost three times that of the national average[...]Instead of watching their profits virtually go up in smoke because of the price of power, the management of Hawaii‘s Kahana Falls Hotel looked for a way of cutting cost and reducing their consumption of valuable raw materials. In this way they came across EnOcean‘s self-powered wireless technology.The project involved retrofitting 106 rooms with energysaving solutions that work on alternative sources. The new energy management system enables the Kahana Falls Hotel to both reduce its power consumption and help do something against climate change. 20 percent less power consumption enables the system implemented here to reduce annual carbon emissions by 145,000 kg. The hotel rooms were fitted with wireless key card switches, presence detectors and door sensors. The wireless key card switch from Echoflex Solutions functions as a master switch for the hotel rooms. A presence detector automatically cuts out the air-conditioning as soon as a guest takes their key card out of the dock and leaves a room. A door sensor, powered by a solar cell, recognizes the status of doors and windows and will also switch off the air-conditioning for example, after a set length of time, if the door to a balcony is open. Signals for the cableless and batteryless light switches and sensors are converted into switching functions by relay receivers from ILLUMRA."

Self-Powered Wireless Detector Wins Two Awards (www.m2mmag.com, 16.10.2009)

"Self-powered sensors and other wireless components is a growing field because of the efficiency they can bring to a wireless system. Usually, wireless sensors have to rely on battery power. But when you have a building outfitted with hundreds of sensors, it can be difficult to change batteries in all of them. Self-powered sensors eliminate that struggle. The EnOcean Alliance, www.enocean-alliance.org, San Ramon, Calif., is a consortium of companies working to develop and promote self-powered wireless monitoring and control systems for sustainable buildings. The consortium recently presented two awards to the EnOcean-enabled SENSOLUX system from PEHA, www.peha.de, Lüdenscheid, Germany, one for ‘best innovation in green product or service’ and the other for ‘best innovation in building services.’ The system is an interesting example of self-powered wireless technology. The consortium recently presented two awards to the EnOcean-enabled SENSOLUX system from PEHA, www.peha.de, Lüdenscheid, Germany, one for ‘best innovation in green product or service’ and the other for ‘best innovation in building services.’ The service-free and energy-autonomous SENSOLUX solar detector enables control of lighting according to demand and is governed by the presence of occupants. It registers the presence of persons, measures the momentary light level, and then transmits the data wirelessly to a switching actuator capable of managing up to eight presence detectors and eight wireless switches. As soon as the last person has left a room the lights are turned off. Lights also go off once a specified level of daylight is reached. If required, users can intervene at any time and set their preferred level of lighting manually. In addition to stand-alone applications, the SENSOLUX presence detector can integrate into a building management system via a number of different bus gateways. This detector is based on EnOcean's STM 110 module, which derives its energy from powerful indoor solar cells. There are no batteries and no cables needed, and it can be relocated in a matter of minutes. By harvesting the necessary power from its surroundings, e.g. from linear motion, light, or differences in temperature, data can be detected and then transmitted by short-range wireless over a distance of up to 30 meters (100 feet) within buildings and 300 meters (1000 feet) in a free field."

Member of EnOcean Alliance Wins Double Award at M&E 2009 (www.electronicspecifier.com, 12.10.2009)

"The EnOcean Alliance has announced the achievements of EnOcean self-powered wireless technology at The Working Buildings Innovation Awards 2009. The EnOcean-enabled SENSOLUX system from PEHA was awarded in two categories – 'Best innovation in green product or service' and 'Best innovation in building services'. Held in association with Premises and Facilities Management magazine, the award ceremony took place on Wednesday 7 October in the Facilities Management Academy, London Olympia. For the ‘Best innovation in green product or service’ award judges were looking at products and services that have a significant effect on the environmental impact of a working building. The ‘Best innovation in building services’ award was open to exhibitors that have introduced an innovative product or service to the building services market within the last 12 months. Entries were required to display how their product provides a practical and sustainable solution for a building services issue. Commenting on the awards, Ian Townsend, UK Commercial Manager at PEHA, said: “The ability to control demand-driven lighting and energy savings in buildings is the winning feature of the SENSOLUX solar detector, and we are delighted that it has been recognised and honoured with these two awards.” The service-free and energy-autonomous SENSOLUX solar detector enables control of lighting according to demand and is governed by the presence of occupants. It registers the presence of persons, measures the momentary light level and then transmits the data wirelessly to a switching actuator capable of managing up to eight presence detectors and eight wireless switches. As soon as the last person has left a room the lights are turned off. Lights also go off once a specified level of daylight is reached. If desired, users can intervene at any time and set their preferred level of lighting manually. In addition to stand-alone applications, the SENSOLUX presence detector will integrate into building management on a number of different bus gateways. This detector is based on EnOcean's STM 110 module which derives its energy from powerful indoor solar cells. It is battery-less meaning that no cables need to be laid, and it can be relocated in a matter of minutes with no troublesome dirt and dust or noise disturbance. The innovative nature of EnOcean technology is its ability to work entirely maintenance-free without batteries. By harvesting the necessary power from its surroundings – from linear motion, light or differences in temperature, for example – data can be detected and then transmitted by short-range wireless over a distance of up to 30 meters within buildings and 300 meters in a free field. The amount of energy obtained in this way is enough to send a wireless signal and turn on a light for instance."

Smart Energy Geek Fest: Energy Harvesting Meets Demand Response (earth2tech.com, 02.10.2009)

"A spin-off of Siemens, EnOcean makes ultra low-power energy-harvesting technology, which pulls energy from ambient sources (solar, light, cellphone towers, electrical cables) to power wireless radios and sensors connected to building automation systems. Canadian company Echoflex Solutions uses EnOcean’s technology to create wireless lighting controls for buildings. In the study PG&E tested the Echoflex Solutions system’s ability to receive and respond to demand-response signals from the utility. The demand response signal was managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and sent over the Internet from PG&E’s servers to the building’s control system. PG&E’s demand response programs offer participants financial incentives to curb their energy use during peak times of day. The result? PG&E gave it a thumbs up for its ability to receive and respond to demand-response signals “in seconds” and PG&E’s contractors called the system “easy to install.” The verdict is that Echoflex has an interesting product that can not only harvest energy (thereby reducing the amount of batteries needed) but also hold up under the strain of a demand response event."

EnOcean presents the EDK 300 developer's kit for the new bidirectional Dolphin platform (hiddenwires.co.uk, 30.09.2009)

"EnOcean GmbH, synonymous with self-powered wireless technology, is presenting its EDK 300 developer's kit for the new bidirectional Dolphin platform. The new kit enables developers to implement energy-autonomous products even easier and faster, assuring them a competitive lead to market. The developer's kit supports the bidirectional TCM 300, TCM 320 and STM 300 modules, and is available immediately."

EnOcean unveils developer's kit for Dolphin platform (eetimes.eu, 17.09.2009)

"The new kit enables developers to implement energy-autonomous products even easier and faster. The developer's kit supports the bidirectional TCM 300, TCM 320 and STM 300 modules, and is available immediately. Tougher environmental standards and soaring energy costs demand optimised concepts for the use of energy in buildings. That calls for technologies to speedily and efficiently implement such concepts - such as self-powered wireless technology from EnOcean. The wireless solution transmits data using energy harvested solely from the surroundings."

The simple entry to bidirectional, self-powered wireless (www.electronicscomponentsworld.com, 17.09.2009)

"EnOcean GmbH, synonymous with self-powered wireless technology, is presenting its EDK 300 developer's kit for the new bidirectional Dolphin platform. The new kit enables developers to implement energy-autonomous products even easier and faster, assuring them a competitive lead to market. The developer's kit supports the bidirectional TCM 300, TCM 320 and STM 300 modules, and is available immediately."

EnOcean Alliance Puts Smart Energy Management in Spotlight at M&E 2009 (www.electronicscomponentsworld.com, 15.09.2009)

"The EnOcean Alliance, together with supporting partners Distech Controls, EnOcean GmbH, Ivory Egg and PEHA, will demonstrate a broad range of EnOcean-based self-powered wireless products for intelligent building automation on stand C105 at M&E. The Building Services Event will take place from 7-8 October at London Olympia. Highlighting the energy-saving potential in buildings, displayed products will include a web based energy data logger, wireless enabled controllers, solar presence detector and plug-and-play developer kit for wireless sensor and actuator applications."

Alliance for wireless, batteryless control claims 100 members (www.powermanagementdesignline.com, 11.09.2009)

"EnOcean (Oberhaching, Germany) was founded in 2001 as a spin-off from Siemens AG research labs. Its charter is to create sensors that are wireless, that scavange energy from the environment and are reliable enough to be maintenance free.[...] After one year there are 113 companies in the EnOcean Alliance including Masco, Distech Controls, Philips Ledalite and Osram Sylvania, EnOcean said. These companies have engineered products that simplify building installations by using wireless and energy harvesting sensors, switches and controls. The company said that more than 100,000 buildings worldwide have been automated using EnOcean-based controls and that this is more than any other wireless standard."

Wireless Building-Automation Controls Improve Energy Efficiency (www.facilitiesnet.com, 10.09.2009)

"The message is beginning to stick: Building-automation systems (BAS) offer a cure for facilities that do not use energy efficiently. While increased demand for energy and its diminishing supply have combined to force the word green into managers’ vocabularies, BAS have stepped in as a reliable remedy for reducing energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Maintenance and engineering managers can significantly reduce the challenge of improving the energy efficiency of their facilities by using battery-free and wireless building-automation controls. A wireless standard from the EnOcean Alliance gives managers a simple, unparalleled means of spreading information throughout buildings, an essential element in reducing energy. The EnOcean Alliance, with 100 automation manufacturers, aims to promote sustainable buildings via battery-free, wireless controls. "

Self-powered wireless technology for green buildings (www.electronicscomponentsworld.com, 08.09.2009)

"Intelligent building automation is the key to green buildings, cutting the costs of operation and purchases, as well as substantially reducing the energy consumed in buildings. In addition, solutions enabled by EnOcean wireless switches and sensors greatly simplify the cabling of a building for. At the same time they make for enhanced flexibility because no new cabling needs to be routed if alterations are made. With little effort and without damaging walls, EnOcean-enabled products can be attached where they are of optimum benefit and just as easily removed again.[...] Self-powered wireless modules from EnOcean are suitable for use in many different surroundings. EnOcean OEM partners have created products for applications ranging from room thermostats with preset temperature through to maintenance-free wireless window contacts and window handles. All products enabled by EnOcean technology are entirely interoperable."

EnOcean is synonymous with energy harvesting (Incisor Wireless Magazine, August 2009)

"EnOcean is primarily the proponent company offering energy harvesting techniques and commercial solutions in over 100,000 buildings. The technology dates back to early 1990s where Siemens originally conceived the technology and, with over a decade’s experience, the company has accumulated numerous patents that not only detail techniques, but extend to some fundamental applications, several of which are publicly available on their website (see enocean.com/en/productstechnology, courtesy of Graham Martin, Chairman, EnOcean Alliance)."

Consulting-Specifying Engineer announces 2009 Product of the Year winners (www.csemag.com, 15.07.2009)

"Consulting-Specifying Engineer (CSE) is proud to announce the winners of its 2009 Product of the Year competition. Companies self-nominated their best products introduced or refined in 2008. Up to five finalists were selected in each of 10 categories by a panel of judges comprised of professional engineers who regularly design and specify HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and plumbing systems. Subscribers to CSE began voting in May to determine the ranking of the finalists as gold, silver, or bronze winners[...]
Lighting controls

• Leviton: wireless occupancy sensors"

Harvest for the world (New Electronics, 14.07.2009)

"Energy harvesting has traditionally been associated with small wireless devices, but with so many potential applications, power sourcing and conversion companies are looking further afield[...]There are four types of energy harvesting – solar, vibration, heat and motion. While some are more established than others, the solutions often complement one and another, depending on the application[...]Enocean's research on rotation – using energy from body movement – has resulted in its Eco100 energy module. The kinetic energy created by physically pressing the button means it can be used to power radio modules. The energy output at every actuation of the spring is sufficient to transmit three rf sub telegrams – energy pulses sent to remote sensors which continuously monitor for signals. A typical application could be automatic stairwell lighting, where a light is switched on manually and switches off after a specified time[...]Some 100,000 buildings are equipped with Enocean's wireless light switch and the company is now working on a fully automised production line to address the high volume market. According to Schneider, the switches last as long as regular light switches, with no wiring and harvest energy every time the switch is pressed, transmitting a high power rf signal to control the lighting[...]EnOcean has already established its EnOcean Alliance – a group of independent companies working together to establish a wireless standard for sustainable buildings. Schneider explained: "We need to educate architects and specifiers and create an ecosystem of companies all working to the same standard. They all have to deliver interoperable systems and as systems become ever more complex, there has to be a regulation and international legislation on sustainable buildings."

IDTechEx's Energy Harvesting Awards announced (callcenterinfo.tmcnet.com, 11.06.2009)

"The IDTechEx Energy Harvesting Awards were launched at the networking dinner at Robinson College on Wednesday 3rd June. Two awards were given out,recognisingachievements in Best Technology Development and Best Application of energy harvesting in a product[...]In the field of best application, MK Electric-Honeywell was the winner. MK Electric's 'enabled by EnOcean' Echo range of self powered switches, launched in May 2008, involves no wires, no batteries and no fuss. There are currently over 100,000 EnOcean-enabled buildings in existence today which projects large future markets for wireless switches once the transition of this technology to regular households becomes a reality. The benefits of such technology - combined with MK Electric's market-leading wiring devices and accessories - include almost instant switch installation; total location flexibility of light switches within buildings; and easy relocation, re-installation and considerable cost-savings when 'churning' commercial spaces."

Energy Harvesting & Storage Europe, Cambridge, UK (04.06.2009)

"[...]Enocean Alliance presented their work with sensors in the building environment, sensing humidity, temperature, the presence or not of someone in the room etc. The company's applications include products harvesting solar, mechanical and thermal energy, electrodynamics having replaced piezoelectrics in their light switches because of reliability, cost and temperature degradation/ life. Paybacks from using EnOcean batteryless building sensors and controls are superb. Individual room temperature control leads to energy savings of up to 30%, when this equipment is installed in hotel buildings, hospitals, etc using occupancy sensors. EnOcean is now moving towards the private home market, not just industrial, public or office buildings. Studies are also on-going with partners like Boeing who are looking to incorporate this type of technology in aircraft.[...]"

EnOcean Solutions Are Free from Batteries, Wires (www.eponline.com, 12.05.2009)

"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 the consortium's controls.Buildings fitted with self-powered wireless controls use 30 percent less wire than wired solutions do. 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[...] EnOcean, the inventor of self-powered wireless sensor and switch modules, manufactures radio modules and energy harvesters that enable building automation systems. The battery-free modules (powered by ambient sources of solar, thermal, and mechanical energy) simplify sustainable green building development by replacing system wires with self-powered wireless links. The company, a spin-off of Siemens AG, has its U.S. operations based in Boston, Mass."

Power Metering, Lighting Controls Reap Cost Savings (www.environmentalleader.com, 07.05.2009)

"Small to large businesses are finding that they can significantly cut their energy costs by implementing new technologies that monitor their energy use and deliver faster payoffs in investments[...]For wireless and battery-less applications, the EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of companies dedicated to the advancement of sustainable building automation, says it can deliver buildings fitted with self-powered wireless controls that consume 30 percent less wire than wired solutions. The technology has also shortened payback periods and significantly reduced installation costs, according to the Boston-based consortium. The savings in wire is attributed to the elimination 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, and instead use house energy harvesters."

Energy efficient system developments enable self powered wireless sensors (Microwave Engineering Europe, May 2009)

"The most interesting challenge with wireless sensor networks ist how to power them effectively[...] Energy scavenging from the environment(...)gives the best of both worlds - the untrammelled flexibility of a wireless system with the maintenance-free convenience of a wired installation[...] EnOceans technology is optimised so that the whole process from energy provision, signal processing and data transmission is initiated and processed within milliseconds. In order to do that, the whole system architecture - soncsisting of energy harvesting technology, energy management, microprocessor with I/O's and RF front end - was integrated in a single embedded module.[...]"

Body heat turning on cellphones (www.thestar.com, 13.04.2009)

"The world's largest chip maker is in its research lab trying to figure out ways of not only cutting the power consumption of its computer chips and the electronics devices they go into, but also harvesting more of the ambient energy around us to extend the battery life of products. Adding small solar cells to laptops and cellphones is an obvious example, but Intel is going much further[...]One project has a personal weather station drawing power from the radiowaves being sent by a TV antenna located about four kilometres away[...]Intel is also researching the potential of recycling waste heat from electronic devices back into usable power. We all know, for example, that a laptop sitting on your lap can heat up quite quickly. Likewise, our body is also a source of heat. "Take a small device like a phone that you would carry in your pocket or hold in your hand," says Vara. "Could we harvest some of that energy from your body heat to help charge that phone?" Then there's the harvesting of mechanical energy, such as vibrations in moving vehicles or people, or the kinetic energy that results by simply touching a device. Vara says gadgets, such as Research In Motion's BlackBerry or Apple's iPhone, could be designed in the future to harvest energy when you move a track ball or touch a screen[...] Likewise, German company EnOcean has developed self-powering sensors that can be used for building and home automation systems, including security systems. Some sensors capture light, others temperature change or vibrations"

EnOcean in the world’s most energy efficient building (Incisor Wireless Magazine, Issue 133 April 2009)

"Energy Harvesting is at the heart of the technology championed by the EnOcean Alliance, and here at Incisor, we find this an interesting new slant. EnOcean solutions make use of energy created from slight changes in motion, pressure, light, temperature or vibration. The selfpowered wireless sensors, claims the EnOcean Alliance, help make buildings smarter, safer, more comfortable and more energy-efficient[...]EnOcean is extending its reach into the market. The juwi Group, for example, is a leading developer of wind, solar and bio energy plant projects. Its newly built corporate headquarters in Wörrstadt, Rhine Hesse, Germany is considered to be the world's most energy-efficient office building[...]The office complex, a wooden construction, is about 100 meters long and up to 30 meters in depth. In the three parts of the building, seven staggered floors offer about 8500 square meters of space for the offices of the 300 personnel plus space for communication, rest and recreation[...]The architecture, fittings and operation of the building are fully optimised for energy efficiency and sustainability. The aim is to generate more energy in the building in the course of a year than is consumed in it. The entire requirement - for electricity, heating and cooling - is produced on the spot from regenerative energy. 2100 square meters of photovoltaic modules deliver about 220,000 kilowatt-hours annually. A solar thermal plant, a pellets burner and three cogenerating stations with Stirling engines produce the necessary heat. Cooling is through the underfloor heating. The ventilation has a heat recovery rate of 80 to 90 percent[...]What is important for energy efficiency and comfort is the control of room temperature and air-conditioning in the office building. The technoLink system was installed for this purpose. Some 200 room TCF22 and TC22 temperature sensors communicate wirelessly with the FBR03-FTL room controllers, and more than 600 thermal actuators regulate the underfloor heating. Four DDC3002 automation stations from Kieback&Peter administer the data of the FBR room controllers. These also control the cooling and the RLT systems for the kitchen."

Premino II - Self-powered wireless in commercial building automation (Sustainable FM, March 2009)

"Intelligent building automation systems have been deployed in a Munich-based commercial property called Premino II to emphasise the building's attractiveness and economic value to tenants. The use of EnOcean self-powered wireless technology minimised planning efforts and reduced the amount of cabling required during installation[...]The EnOcean easyfit wireless switch is fitted to a variety of surfaces, such as glass, wood or furniture, throughout the building to control shutters and to enable lighting to be switched and dimmed wirelessly as necessary[...] For temperature control, an EnOcean enabled solar-powered room temperature sensor detects the deviation from a given figure at regular set intervals (>15s)[...] Solar-powered wireless window contacts from EnOcean (enabling operation in complete darkness for as long as 70 hours) detect the opening of windows and reduce heating in that area, or even cut it out entirely[...] The use of EnOcean wireless technology in Premino II has enabled tenants to create their own flexible room arrangement."

Communicating bi-directionally (www.connectingindustry.com, 27.03.2009)

”Until now, the sensor functionality of self-powered EnOcean technology needed complex, discrete electronics for its implementation. New Dolphin system architecture, based on a sophisticated, power saving ASIC, is not only a high performance platform for cross-vendor deployment of wireless sensors and actuators but for the first time, it enables bi-directional communication of self-powered wireless sensors[…]The Dolphin ASIC can run on as little as 2.5V. With ultra-low power energy management, the Dolphin EO3000I module operates reliably at a supply between 2.5 and 4.5V. Heart of the 40pin SMT chip, which has a footprint of just 6x6x1mm, is an 8bit 8051 MCU, optimised in power consumption, with a clock rate of 16MHz, 32KB flash memory and 2KB ram. Fourteen connection pins of the module are programmable as I/O ports and two further pins permit the detection of wakeup signals. Eight of the I/O port pins function primarily as either analogue or digital I/Os and each of these pins can be used as either a digital input or output. Alternatively, pins ADIO 0-4 can also be used as analogue inputs, for example, to detect measured values[…]Consequently, energy autonomous deployment of bi-directional wireless sensors and actuators is now possible. For example, a bi-directional, self-powered room temperature sensor can be implemented that, after transmitting its telegram with the measured value, for example temperature and humidity, can receive a message for set point correction along with the current time, and all with minimal circuitry.”

Finger-Powered, Solar-Sensing Light Switches (www.greentechmedia.com, 23.03.2009)

"Philips subsidiary Ledalite Architectural Products has come out with a light switch that uses kinetic energy to wirelessly turn lights on and off, plus sensors to dim lights in sunlight.[...]By slapping the switches (now available only with an order with Ledalite lights) onto any available surface, builders can save the hassle of tearing open walls to string new wiring for lighting retrofits, or up to 30 percent of the copper wiring normally required for a new facility, the company says. And to save energy automatically, Ledalight has separate wall-mounted light sensors that can capture energy with tiny photovoltaic cells and sense how much sunlight is in a room to dim or turn off lights accordingly. Both devices use technology from EnOcean, a German company that specializes in energy harvesting - capturing power from the environment. Its kinetic energy capturing technology is also being used by Verve Living Systems, which demonstrated its own wireless light switch at the West Coast Green building show in September. (For video of how the switches work, click here)."

Ledalite Launches Airwave Energy Saving Self-Powered Wireless Lighting Controls (www.green-energy-news.com, 21.03.20009)

"Airwave battery-free controls use solar power and kinetic energy to wirelessly communicate with light fixtures. The motion of pushing a self-powered Airwave light switch captures enough kinetic energy to transmit wireless RF(radio frequency) commands allowing lights to dim or turn ON/OFF.[...]With no hardwires and no batteries required to operate, Airwave components can be mounted virtually on any surface including glass, concrete, tile and wood. Using wireless controls can reduce the amount of copper wiring infrastructure required in a facility by up to 30 percent while also distributing access to lighting control to multiple users. No special devices, hardware or software are required to get going, as all startup and reprogramming can be done with the wireless switch.[...]"

Dolphin Chip rescues dream of wireless sensors without energy (www.epdonthenet.net, 19.03.2009)

"The new Dolphin system architecture, based on a sophisticated, power-saving ASIC, enables bi-directional communication of selfpowered wireless sensors. Andreas Schneider discusses the development.[...]Dolphin ASICs can run on as little as 2.5 V Thanks to its low-power energy management, the Dolphin EO3000I module operates reliably at a supply voltage between 2.5 and 4.5 V. The heart of the 40-pin SMT chip, which has a footprint of just 6 x 6 x 1mm, is an 8-bit 8051 microcontroller, optimised in power consumption, with a clock rate of 16 MHz, 32 kB flash memory and 2kB RAM. 14 connection pins of the module are programmable as I/O ports and two further pins permit the detection of wake-up signals. Eight of the I/O port pins function primarily as either analogue or digital I/Os. Alternatively, pins ADIO 0-4 can also be used as analogue inputs, for example to detect measured values. ADIO 4-7 can be configured as analogue outputs. To enable this, the ASIC is equipped with ADCs with resolution of up to 12 bits and DACs with 8 bits resolution. Four additional I/O ports are intended for uses such as a fast SPI communication interface, enabling individual programming of the ASIC. If desired, the last two digital I/Os can be connected to a realtime quartz clock (32,768 kHz) – making the Dolphin chip suitable for building synchronous wireless sensor networks. The EO3000I also contains an RF transceiver with ASK modulation, which can be programmed for use at either 868.3MHz (Europe) or 315.0 MHz (US, Canada, Asia). Utilising this function requires no additional components except for the connection of a balun antenna, a few capacitors and a 16 MHz quartz resonator for the processor and for RF generation."

Energy efficient system developments enable self powered wireless sensors (www.electronicscomponentsworld.com, 17.03.2009)

"The most interesting challenge with wireless sensor networks is that of how to power them effectively. Line power immediately nullifies some of the flexibility that is the attraction of wireless and batteries add maintenance overheads to the final system. Energy scavenging from the environment, on the other hand, gives the best of both worlds – the untrammelled flexibility of a wireless system with the maintenance-free convenience of a wired installation.[...] Using the smallest amount of ambient energy, EnOcean’s wireless modules can transmit RF signals up to a distance of 300 metres in a free field or up to 30 metres within buildings.[...] In order to do that, the whole system architecture - consisting of energy harvesting technology, energy management, microprocessor with I/Os and RF front end - was integrated in a single embedded module. These modules are finally integrated into end products such as wireless switches or building automation sensors by OEM customers, which have their core competency in energy efficient building automation systems but do not require any know-how in energy harvesting, or wireless technologies.[...] It is clear that a standard wireless node or a sensor data logger cannot be powered continuously by ambient energy. Depending on your perspective, the energy consumption is too high or the energy provided too low.[...] EnOcean’s energy management is based on three main features: first, the energy needed for transmitting the data is reduced to an absolute minimum. In building automation systems, sensor values have to be transmitted at relatively long intervals with a minimal amount of data which can be as little as 4 Bytes.[...] Energy efficient systems and use of energy harvesting technologies require new design rules in the industry. Instead of optimising single components, the whole system view is of highest importance. The efficiency of energy harvesting wireless sensors are the foundation on which customers are realising a much higher energy saving potential of up to 40% in intelligent green buildings. Today, 10,000s of buildings are already equipped with EnOcean’s self powered wireless components."

Wireless technology in the bathroom (www.bhl.co.uk, 16.03.2009)

"EnOcean, a Siemens AG spin-off company, is recommending its wireless and batteryless sensing system as suitable for residential use. The company also claims that its products are being used in conjunction with Aqualisa digital showering system in UK homes. Aqualisa's digital showering technology is controlled by a small processor which is located away from the showering area, perhaps in an airing cupboard or attic. It is connected to the shower by a datacable and can be hidden behind tiling or in the riser bar of the shower and can be fitted in two hours according to Aqualisa. The digital showers can be controlled by remotes meaning that consumers can switch their shower on while still in bed and wait for the water to heat up before getting in. EnOcean notes that its wireless system "uses harvested energy from solar, mechanical and thermal sources to power the sensors within a building"."

Gridwise Architecture Council adds three to its ranks (www.esmagazine.com, 11.03.2009)

"Three noted energy and information technology experts have been elected to the GridWise Architecture Council, a group sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy to advance interoperability among the many entities that interact with the nation’s electric power system. The new members are regional system operations and demand response market analyst Robert Burke, commercial buildings expert Tracy Markie, and distribution engineer Robert Saint. Burke is a Principal Analyst at ISO New England, where he focuses on integrating demand-side resources into their wholesale electricity markets. He was involved in the development and implementation of ISO-NE’s Internet Based Communication System Open Solution that is used for activating and providing near real-time data on demand response assets. He is well-versed in wholesale electricity market operations and its position within reliable system operations, and he has a background in computer science and industrial systems. Markie is President and CEO of Engenuity Systems, where he provides solutions for commercial building automation systems including integration expertise, software platforms and interfaces. He is Chairman of the Board of LonMark International and his association with LonMark helped move it to open standards. He is also Marketing Chair at the EnOcean Alliance, a group that promotes self-powered sensor systems that scavenge energy from the environment to operate. He is well-respected in the buildings automation community. Automated Logic Corporation Saint is Principal Distribution Engineer, Energy Policy for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). He is well known to many council members for his work in IEEE and NRECA in distribution automation and distributed resource integration where he chairs IEEE P 1547.2 and 1547.7 standards working groups as well as chairs the IEEE PES Distributed Resources Integration working group. He is also program manager for NRECA’s MultiSpeak standards efforts. The new members are joined by two re-elected members to the 13-member council: David Hardin of Invensys Process Systems; and Richard Schomberg with EDF International."

Ledalite Introduces New Airwave Wireless, Self-Powered Controls Technology (www.bctechnology.com, 09.03.2009)

"Ledalite has launched Airwave: a set of wireless and self-powered controls that use natural sources of energy including solar power and kinetic motion to wirelessly communicate with luminaires. Airwave is a battery-free solution that makes lighting and control systems more personal, flexible, energy efficient and cost-effective than ever before. Just the simple little motion of pushing an Airwave switch captures enough kinetic energy to transmit wireless commands allowing light fixtures to dim or turn ON/OFF[...] Airwave controls are based on the industry standard wireless communication protocol originally developed by EnOcean Technologies and is fully UL and FCC approved for use in North America."

Wireless Control Systems for Industrial Applications (HPAC Engineering, March 2009)

"Skepticism about wireless control systems still looms. Scalability and flexibility rarely are in question. However, security, interoperability, and reliability issues cause some engineers to question whether to abandon their wired designs for wireless. Additionally, battery-powered wireless devices are unacceptable to system integrators endeared to the concept of “install-and-forget” solutions. Meanwhile, wireless technologies and communication protocols have matured, with improved security, interference immunity, and reliability. When retrofitting older buildings with modern controls, wireless solutions can simplify energy-saving installations. Combined with intelligent building-automation systems (BAS), wireless technology can offer potential operational savings and reliable performance. Open building plans are common in industry, often providing good environments for wireless communications because radio waves carry well in line-of-sight conditions. Building materials, such as concrete and steel, can inhibit wireless transmission. Wireless ranges and material penetration correlate with transmission frequencies and corresponding wavelengths. When transmission power and antenna gain are held equal, low frequencies (with longer wavelengths) yield longer ranges and are better able to carry data through obstacles, such as walls, ceilings, and furniture[...] The initial demand for wireless solutions often is problem-driven. If a project or installation does not allow for easily accessible wire runs to control points, a wireless solution may be needed. For example, facilities with multiple buildings might require tunneling under existing driveways and parking lots to install wire runs. In retrofit situations, it is difficult, if not impossible, to run wire to all parts of a building. These types of situations present opportunities for wireless solutions.Integrating the disparate systems of a building into a coherent communication and control infrastructure long has been a goal of facility engineers. However, completely connected facilities remain a challenge because wireless- system integration is not always straightforward. As previously mentioned, some wireless technologies use a significant amount of power, requiring frequent battery changes and causing maintenance issues. Also, wireless networks can be a concern when frequency bands become overcrowded. However, with sensor-placement flexibility, relocation feasibility, and reliable operation, facilities executives can consider wireless technology an option to solve problems in existing plants or for deployment in new facilities."

The Hot Applications for Energy Harvesting
(www.rfidsb.com, Feb 2009)

"Energy harvesting (EH) or scavenging is the use of ambient energy to provide electrical power for small electronic and electrical devices. The technologies employed variously convert human power, body fluids, heat differences, vibration or other movement, dirt, vegetation, ultraviolet, visible light or infrared to electricity. [...] More affordable building controls of longer life are the focus of most of the 70+ companies in the EnOcean energy harvesting alliance. For example, EnOcean, presenting at a recent event, described how they have installed 4200 wireless and battery-less light switches, occupancy sensors and daylight sensors in a new building construction in Madrid. These are powered by energy harvesters and embedded in the building. This saved 40% of lighting energy costs by automatically controlling the lighting in the building, 20 miles in cables, 42,000 batteries (over 25 years) and most of the cost of retrofitting."

Lighting Technology
(articles.directorym.com, Feb 2009)

"Lighting has now become an art form, according to many design experts. Chandeliers and pendant fixtures update kitchen spaces, while soffit lighting and up-lights originating from floors provide unique effects. Poorly-lit bathrooms are updated by adding stylish vanity bars and coordinating wall sconces.[...] For an out-of-this world example, take the new Verve Living system, Masco Corporation's innovative product for lighting control. Verve relies on a unique technology developed by European manufacturer EnOcean, a spin-off of Siemens Corporation and is a breakthrough in energy-harvesting, radio frequency science. [...] For homebuilders, this is a huge breakthrough. The lighting system eliminates wires, batteries and -- best of all -- change orders when building a home, saving them thousands of dollars during the build itself."

Best Squamish business chosen
(www.piquenewsmagazine.com, Feb 2009)

"After weeks of voting, Echoflex Solutions Inc. captured Squamish's 2008 Best Local Business of the Year Award, which climaxed last weekend at the Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting and gala. Founded and operated by residents Brian Aikens and Shawn Pederson, Echoflex is the engine behind EnOcean's radio and energy-harvesting technology, which is patented. That technology brings wireless control to lighting and process control applications."

Programmable t-stats make appearances
(www.achrnews.com, Feb 2009)

"Programmable thermostats were the hot control item at the 2009 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) in Chicago. Occupancy sensors and easy-to-read displays made the top of the new and improved features list. [...] EnOcean Inc. highlighted its self-powered wireless protocol, displaying multiple applications of the technology, including the Illumra Hotel Room Retro-fit kit. This self-powered wireless hotel key card switch generates its own power. Once inserted into a dock inside the room, it activates the room by turning on the power-consuming amenities, including the HVAC. Once removed, the amenities are set to a time delay and then shut off. On the receiving end of the system, integrators have two options — a line-powered thermostat or a plug-in PTAC controller."

EnOcean announces partnership with EPA’s Energy Star® Program
(www.tmcnet.com, Feb 2009)

"EnOcean announced [...] a fundamental commitment to protect the environment by becoming an Energy Star partner. EnOcean, through its voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Program, is helping to sustain green initiatives by fitting energy-inefficient buildings with self-powered wireless controls. EnOcean's energy harvesting and wireless technologies simplify the installation of the energy-stingy wireless controls (sensors, switches, gateways and actuators) by replacing wires & batteries with self-powered wireless links."

LonMark awards Thermokon (www.esmagazine.com, Feb 2009)

"LonMark presented Thermokon with the Infrastructure Product of the Year award in honor of its Easysens SRC65-FTT Receiver, a radio receiver using EnOcean’s core technology for wireless and batteryless sensors and and switches combined with a LonWorks interface. The receiver directly converts all radio telegrams received to LonWorks standard network variables (SNVT), and offers predefined objects, such as various sensors and switches, with the corresponding output variables (SNVT) for communication in a LonWorks system. The wireless, batteryless solution offers multiple benefits for building automation ranging from cost reduction to flexibility and adaptability."

Chamber of Commerce awards Echoflex (www.squamishchief.com, Jan 2009)

"When the Citizen of the Year and Local Business of the Year awards were announced at the Chamber of Commerce AGM and President’s Dirty Thirties Revival Gala on Saturday (Jan. 31), it was obvious the environment inspired both the locals’ good deeds and the judges’ decision to honour them. [...] Business of the year winner Echoflex Solutions cofounders Brian Aikens and Shawn Pedersen said it was a chat between friends while mountain biking local trails that ignited one of the leading technologies for energy conservation. The company won Local Business of the Year over finalists Trinity Romance and Play N Trade. The company, which manufactures and distributes EnOcean’s patented radio and energy harvesting technology, is proving that high tech development can prosper in a small town like Squamish."

Are You Ready? Lighting technology sparks future growth (www.ecmag.com, Jan 2009)

"Although the construction market is down, manufacturers are going full steam, developing new labor-saving lighting technologies. Savvy electrical contractors can broaden their capabilities during the slump by expanding their new technological knowledge and embracing economic and ecological advantages over traditional lighting sources. Winter is a good time to get up to speed for when residential and industrial construction rebound. In the future, new homes likely will have some areas with controlled color lighting. Renaissance Lighting, Herndon, Va., and other manufacturers already produce downlights to “wash” walls and furniture with color to create moods in home theaters, upscale baths, master bedrooms and more. Homeowners can have color kinetics options formerly available for commercial applications or to the very wealthy[...] Many newer technologies are designed to save labor costs. FlatWire received approval for standard 120V AC electrical wiring applications in the 2008 National Electrical Code. Flexible, paper-thin FlatWire can be folded up to 180 degrees. Homeowners like the fact that cutting into walls to run cable is unnecessary and they can paint or wallpaper over it. With its hidden aspect and safety shorting features, FlatWire is safer than traditional round wiring. Verve Living System uses an innovative wireless, battery-less technology developed by EnOcean, a Siemens Corp. spinoff. Turning a switch on and off generates enough energy to transmit radio signals up to 300 feet, enabling small wireless sensors to harvest tiny amounts of the energy. It can turn on both incandescent and dimmable compact fluorescent lights, dim them, and turn them off without wiring switches to the lighting sources."

Paybacks from Energy Harvesting (www.egovmonitor.com, 26.01.2009)

" It is the process by which ambient energy is captured, converted into electricity and used to drive small autonomous electronic, electrical and combined devices. About 500 organisations are developing or applying energy harvesting other than photovoltaics and, in addition, most of the 650 organisations developing the new photovoltaics beyond conventional silicon have energy harvesting in their sights[...]38% of energy is consumed in buildings and more affordable building controls of longer life are the focus of most of the 70+ companies in the EnOcean energy harvesting alliance which provides interoperable wireless sensors and controls that never need a battery. For example, EnOcean has installed 4200 wireless and battery-less light switches, occupancy sensors and daylight sensors in a new building construction in Madrid. These are powered by energy harvesters and embedded in the building. This saved 40% of lighting energy costs by automatically controlling the lighting in the building, 20 miles in cables, 42,000 batteries (over 25 years) and most of the cost of retrofitting."

Standard architecture for wireless sensing? (www.controlglobal.com, 23.01.2009)

"German energy harvesting and wireless sensing specialist EnOcean is bidding to establish its newly launched Dolphin system architecture as a non-proprietary standard for building automation and industrial control. New modules based on the architecture support bidirectional communication of self-powered or ‘energy autonomous’ sensors. Thus the STM 300, for example, provides extensive energy management of miniature converters which harvest energy from differences in temperature, rotation, light or vibration. Basic plug-and-play operating functions that can be implemented without the need for programming include analog and digital inputs, configurable wake and presence cycles and wake-up pins. The range of Dolphin-based modules also includes energy-autonomous actuators which can be used, for example, to control heating valves, drawing their energy from Peltier thermoelectric elements."

New networks take nature’s pulse (features.csmonitor.com, 23.01.2009)

"Outdoor advances such as low-power chips and tiny solar panels let computers get a breath of fresh air[...] With limits to battery power, it’s also important to conserve energy use in the wireless network[...] Germany’s EnOcean makes wireless sensors without batteries. The sensors are powered by their surroundings such as energy from vibrations, rotations, pressure, light, and temperature changes. For example, vibrations can be converted into electrical energy by flexing crystals that have a property known as piezoelectricity."

Wireless communications is finding its niche in building engineering, writes Markus Brehler,...(ipcommunications.tmcnet.com, 13.11.2008)

"The phenomenal growth in energy harvesting wireless technology in applications from building automation to industrial control has led to demand for more sophisticated devices - without compromising the original vision of an ultra-low power technology that can be powered entirely from ambient energy sources. Energy harvesting nodes today are normally uni-directional - they can transmit a piece of data or a control signal but cannot receive a response. They are also normally limited to extremely simple switches and sensors The answer is to extend the principles of energy harvesting design to these more sophisticated functions. One of the most famous characters in English literature is Scrooge - and translating his financial thinking to the use of energy is the key to success in addressing this new opportunity. Each new function must be developed to deliver with the absolute minimum of energy. The new applications require transceivers, timers, threshold detectors, voltage limiters and memories. New designs, developed from a clean sheet of paper, are the only way to successfully address the Scrooge energy challenge. Each of these components must be optimised in terms of energy use and remain switched on for the minimum amount of time possible. EnOcean's new device achieves this: implementing a bi-directional transceiver, a set of measurement and control peripherals and application programmable memory in a module drawing just 80nA - achieved through a power management function that itself draws almost no power at all."

EO3000I ASIC meets building engineering challenges (www.electronicstalk.com, 12.11.2008)

"The EO3000I ASIC has been designed and built for Enocean's Dolphin system architecture, which addresses the challenging requirements of building engineering. Its functionality includes bidirectional communication, actuation, high transmission security and ultra-low power energy management in a single chip device. Enocean's Dolphin platform has open, non-proprietary, flexible hardware and software architecture with the EO3000I ASIC at its core. A feature of the EO3000I is its economical use of available energy, which enables the direct operation of the sensor interface and radio transceiver from various types of weak or strong energy converters - electrodynamic, solar or for differences in temperature, vibration and rotation."

EnOcean launches Dolphin platform at electronica 2008 (www.electronicspecifier.com, 11.11.2008)

"EnOcean is launching its Dolphin system architecture on Booth 266, Area A4, at electronica 2008, setting entirely new standards in wireless sensor networks. Dolphin enables energy-autonomous actuators, bidirectional communication of sensors and innovative routing concepts, creating the foundation for a wide variety of new products and applications. EnOcean Dolphin allows on-demand matching and continuous optimisation of central system features such as energy budget, peripheral functionalities and wireless communication. The length of wireless telegrams, for example, is minimised dynamically to the data content for transmission, and in programming only those software function blocks actually needed by the user are saved to memory. EnOcean technology is already being used to wirelessly link hundreds of thousands of energy-autonomous sensors in buildings worldwide. The Dolphin architecture was developed to enable non-proprietary systems to match the increasing demands of very different applications, and grow in their functionality together with the demands of such applications. The launch of the Dolphin platform marks an entry into new industrial control and automation systems, an expansion of existing applications to save energy, to enhance comfort, convenience and security, for access control and consumption data metering in building services. Dolphin system architecture, through its modularity, is ideally suited for future demands such as encryption or meshNet routing."

Elektra 08 Awards - The Winners (www.electronicsweekly.com, 10.11.2008)

"This year's Electronica show also features the Elektra Awards, now in their seventh year. The Elektras give the industry the opportunity to recognise the achievements of individuals and companies across Europe. The Elektra 08 Awards have just been presented by Jeff Stelling at the Hilton Munich Park, so congratulations to all the companies short listed and here is the final set of results:

• Wireless & Telecoms Design Award
  (Sponsored by Gleichmann Sunrise)
  EnOcean - self-powered wireless sensor for building automation
• Company of the Year
  (Sponsored by IET)
  EnOcean - self-powered wireless sensor for building automation"

 

EnOcean and Sensordynamics announce Energy Harvesting Single Chip RF Transceiver (www.electronicspecifier.com, 10.11.2008)

"EnOcean and SensorDynamics today announced the availability of EnOcean's first energy harvesting wireless sensor IC. The jointly developed EO3000I ASIC has been specifically designed and built for EnOcean's new Dolphin system architecture capable of addressing the challenging requirements of building engineering. Intelligent functionality includes bidirectional communication, actuation, high transmission security and ultra-low power energy management in a single chip device. EnOcean’s innovative Dolphin platform has an open, non-proprietary, flexible hardware and software architecture with the EO3000I ASIC at its core. A unique feature of the EO3000I is its extremely economical use of available energy, which enables the direct operation of the sensor interface and radio transceiver from various types of weak or strong energy converters – electrodynamic, solar or for differences in temperature, vibration and rotation.EO3000I incorporates an integrated sensor interface consisting of a pair of high precision analogue to digital converters (ADCs) and an arbitrary function generator, routable to various pins. This provides the highest flexibility for single-ended or bridge sensor measurements.

Perpetual Power Solutions to Save $1 billion in Labor Costs (www.prnewsnow.com, 31.10.2008)

With hundreds of millions of Wireless Sensor Network nodes to be deployed over the next five years, the quest for improved power sources is intensifying, according to ON World. Advances such as mesh networking enable large scale, self-configuring wireless sensor networks. The power needs of wireless sensor s is the current biggest impediment that keeps them from becoming completely autonomous, forcing them to be either tethered to an external power source or have lifecycles that are curtailed by batteries. While still in an early phase, energy harvesting devices - that translate abundant sources of energy such as light, heat, and mechanical into electrical energy - are rapidly being integrated with wireless sensor technologies. Current WSN deployments that use harvested ambient energy include the following:

• GE Energy'ss wireless equipment monitoring systems powered by vibration harvesters that are currently deployed in a Norway gas field.
• Wireless Industrial Technologies's wireless sensor systems powered by thermal energy that monitor production processes in aluminum plants.
• EnOcean battery-less light switches in thousands of buildings across Europe.

 

 

The way forward for Eenergy harvesting (Electronics Weekly 29 October-4 November 2008)

Energy harvesting nodes today are normally uni-directional – they can transmit a piece of data or a control signal but cannot receive a response. They are also normally limited to extremely simple switches and sensors. If these nodes could be made bi-directional, then batteryless room sensors and remote controls could be created that can even show simple messages on a display.
Can all this be created in a module powered by energy harvested from the surrounding environment?
The answer is to extend the principles of energy harvesting design to these more sophisticated functions. EnOcean’s new device achieves this: implementing a bi-directional transceiver, a set of measurement and control peripherals and application programmable memory in a module drawing just 80nA – achieved through a power management function that itself draws almost no power at all.
This will take energy harvesting technology forward another step – making it a more capable platform able to support a whole host of new potential applications, without losing sight of the original virtues of our exceptionally lean economical design.

A Market Overview of the Competitive Environments of Energy Harvesting, Micro Batteries and Power Management ICs with Detailed Company Profiles (www.pr-inside.com, 06.10.2008)

"This report gives a top-level overview of some of the companies that make energy harvesting devices, micro batteries and power management ICs for low-power sensors and devices. Each of these markets is different, with different characteristics defining them and driving them. The energy harvesting companies are, for the most part, small start-up companies. Many are in Europe, like EnOcean[...] Many of the energy harvesting companies have found it useful to partner with IC companies.IDS Microchip has an near field communications solution they did for Texas Instruments, for example. EnOcean is working with the Fraunhofer Institute.[...]"

Self-Powered Light Switch Has No Wires (www.ecogeek.org, 1.10.2008)

"There's a new way of wiring your lights...and it doesn't involve wires. Pretty freakin' cool actually. Right now, your light switch has a physical connection to your light. When you flip the switch, a circuit is completed and the light turns on. But connecting every light to every light switch basically requires twice as much wiring for a house's lighting system. That's just dumb.[...]But now, EnOcean (a company that specializes in pulling power from ambient sources) has figured out a way to have the light switch be powered by you. Every time you flip the switch, a tiny generator creates a tiny charge. That tiny charge powers a tiny remote control that sends out a tiny signal that can be received by the light. All from the "power" of your flipping. Pretty cool."

IET: IET announces Innovation Awards 2008 shortlist (www.mworld.com, September 25, 2008)

"The world's first digital residual circuit device (RCD), high definition terrestrial TV on freeview using DVB-T2, and a fuel efficiency programme for trains are among the short-listed entries in the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation Awards 2008. The awards span 15 categories and have attracted hundreds of entries from around the world. They represent a unique opportunity for industry innovators to be recognised and provide a showcase for the brightest ideas, highlighting the importance of innovation by celebrating its application across a range of engineering disciplines. IET Chief Executive, Robin McGill, said, "We have had a fantastic response to the Innovation Awards this year with over 300 entries received. These have now been judged by our panel of experts who are recognised industry leaders in science, engineering and technology. "In shortlisting the entries, the judges have been looking for innovative engineering projects, products or processes for commercial use that demonstrate genuine novelty and represent a significant technological advance for the industry or technology sector." The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday 3 November 2008 at the Park Plaza Riverbank, London. The event will be hosted by television personality Maggie Philbin and will include a keynote speech by the Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson MP. [...]

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

• Byzak: Innovatory operational control systems for pumping systems
• EnOcean: Self Powered Wireless Sensor Technology for Intelligent, Reliable  Maintenance-free, Eco-Efficient Buildings
• Test Marshal Ltd: Automated Testing of Fixed Wiring"

 

Energy harvesting makes a powerful case (kn.theiet.org, 24.09.2008)

"I have seen technologies set back years in their development by early hype and energy harvesting was another looking set to follow that path. It therefore gives me great pleasure to point out that energy harvesting is delivering solutions, not just technology but real solutions, in the commercial world right now. I recently completed a study of energy harvesting technologies with a particular focus on how they might enable remote and wireless sensing. Power is the major limiting factor in rolling out full scale wireless sensor networks and in many scenarios batteries are either unsuitable or completely impractical. Energy harvesting devices are therefore potentially an attractive alternative.
Energy harvesting scavenges low grade sources of energy from the environment to provide useful quantities of electrical power to electronic devices. The most common energy sources are light, thermal and vibration and various techniques are available to harvest this.
This is an area in which Europe actually leads the USA. In particular, European companies like [...] EnOcean are noted for their commercial focus."

EnOcean Alliance receives strong backing from major international industry leaders (hiddenwires.co.uk, 11.09.2008)

"The EnOcean Alliance announces worldwide success in its opening months of operation with over 50 companies pledging their commitment to the development of EnOcean self-powered wireless technology as the standard for sustainable buildings. "Since our European launch at the light+building show in April, the level of support we have received from companies that serve the international building services market has been exceptional," commented Graham Martin, Chairman of the EnOcean Alliance. "The member total is currently above 50 and is stead-ily increasing owing to the dedication, expertise and resources of the founding promoters." In wireless building automation, EnOcean self-powered wireless technology has the largest install base in the world"

Elektra 08 - Awards shortlists announced (www.electronicsweekly.com, 02.09.2008)

"This year the Awards move back to Germany to take place at the start of Electronica 2008. Now in their sixth year, the Awards give the industry the opportunity to recognise the achievements of individuals and companies across Europe. The Awards bring together the whole industry in a celebration of the companies and people that are achieving the highest standards and driving our industry forward. They are designed to promote best practice in key areas including, customer care, sales growth, innovation and employee motivation.

The Elektra Awards will be presented at a gala dinner on Monday November 10 at the Hilton Munich Park in Munich.[...]
EnOcean - self-powered wireless sensor for building automation has been shortlisted in the Wireless & Telecoms Design Award category in the Elektra 08 Awards."

New Wireless Sensors from EnOcean for Building Automation Systems (www.azobuild.com, 03.09.2008)

"EnOcean, the inventor of self-powered wireless sensors and modules, has released 315 MHz versions of their ultra-low power radio modules. The development enables integrators to install wireless sensors networks into buildings using a frequency band that is far less crowded than the others available - such as 2.4 GHz. “The development concept was simple,” says EnOcean’s President of North American operations Jim O’Callaghan, “low power devices, such as thermostats and occupancy sensors, should not share air waves with higher power devices such as WiFi routers, ZigBee coordinators and microwave ovens. For building automation, the 315 MHz frequency inherently provides range and performance advantages over the higher 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies.”
Laws of physics dictate that the 315 MHz frequency band is able to carry data through materials, such as building walls, more efficiently than the higher 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies.[...]
The 315 MHz radio modules, when coupled with EnOcean’s patented energy harvesters, free integrators from the constraints of wires and batteries. The radio modules and energy harvesters convert traditional controls into “peel-and-stick” sensors and switches. The resulting controls simplify installations and provide automation systems the data needed for controlling lights, blinds and heating/cooling units."

Does ZigBee have the X-Factor? (Incisor wireless magazine, Issue 126, September 2008)

"[...]On the European shores in Germany, EnOcean, which formed its Alliance this year (April 2008), uses a clever energy harvesting technique detecting environmental changes to energise its sensors. What no batteries? Yes, ZigBee, Z-Wave and Bluetooth low energy rely on efficient battery technology to sustain longevity with battery life from one to five years at least – EnOcean highlights “no-one wants to maintain thousands of batteries in a commercial environment”. Zensys commented that EnOcean seems to be dominating the commercial sector and Lew Brown, EVP Marketing at Zensys supports this argument by noting that, “EnOcean has been viewed as purely a commercial control solution and not viable in residential (at least now and in the near term)”. However, Incisor caught up with Graham Martin, EnOcean’s Alliance Chairman and CEO, who was, at the time, diligently energy harvesting himself on Lake Ammersee, Upper Bavaria, Germany. We saw him windsurfing, capturing a gentle breeze, which seemingly propelled him confidently across the lake, although he seemed to disagree with Brown’s perspective, “most of the information from ZigBee and Z-Wave is hype”, he said whilst catching his breath. As Martin was formerly Vice President of the ZigBee Alliance, his words must hold some water. An exhausted Martin continued, “The EnOcean wireless standard for sustainable buildings is the clear leader in wireless home and building automation with thousands of commercial buildings and tens of thousands of residential buildings (soon to be hundreds of thousands) already deployed and proven since first deployments in 2003.”[...]"

Energy Efficient Products Enabled by EnOcean Technology On Show at M&E (27.08.2008, www.hbdonline.eu)

"Intelligent energy efficient products for wireless monitoring and control in building automation applications will be demonstrated on the EnOcean Alliance stand (C23) at M&E 2008[...]
Last year, EnOcean’s wireless switch won the "Best innovation in green product and services" award at the Working Buildings Week Innovation Award. In 2008, an intelligent energy management device from Ivory Egg, the Synetica Energy DataStream, has been entered for the award. The DataStream is an internet connected device which uses EnOcean sensors and switches for the collection, storage and transmission of meter and environmental data for energy management. The device sends data to a central server and notifies excessive consumption via email or SMS."

EnOcean receives 4.5 million Euros to pursue their self-powered wireless technology (26.08.2008, www.climatechangecorp.com)

"EnOcean, who produces self-powered wireless sensor technology, has stated that it will use the 4.5 million euros from its investors to expand it's market in Europe, North America and Asia, and for development of their technology and products. EnOcean ensures that it will continue to target sensor technology for sustainable buildings."

Wireless home control (www.epdonthenet.net, 26.08.2008)

"WeberHaus, a German-based eco construction company, is implementing new installation concepts in sustainable homes using EnOcean wireless sensor technology.[...]
By doing away with batteries and wires, the result is an energy efficient and economic system. Despite the arguments cited against wireless technology (such as the radiation produced), EnOcean claims that the short transmission times of its radios offer an advantage. It states that the Ecolog Institute found that the high-frequency fields produced by self-powered EnOcean switches was one hundred times weaker than those of conventional switches. This means that the radiation pulse (electrosmog) dissolves in the air and low-frequency (50/60Hz) electromagnetic emissions are also reduced."

EnOcean Alliance: Energy efficient products enabled by EnOcean technology on show at M&E 2008 (www.macroworldinvestor.com, 26.08.2008)

"Intelligent energy efficient products for wireless monitoring and control in building automation applications will be demonstrated on the EnOcean Alliance stand (C23) at M&E 2008, the building services event at London's Olympia, 8-9 October.Ivory Egg, EnOcean GmbH and Distech Controls will be supporting partners on the stand. Key products include an environmental monitoring device for lighting and HVAC applications, Omnio occupancy detectors for automatic on/off of lights and shutters, and battery-free light switches from MK Electric.
Last year, EnOcean's wireless switch won the "Best innovation in green product and services" award at the Working Buildings Week Innovation Awards."

Wireless Invades Homes (www.specialtypub.com, 25.08.2008)

"If you haven’t implemented smart technologies in the homes you are building, you might want to reconsider. Many consider it a new wave in technology for the home, exploding into the automated home technology scene.
M2M (machine-to-machine) technology is slowly making its way into homes—whether builders can see it yet or not. Spanning most industries, M2M technology connects a sensor, computer, or device to another sensor, computer, or device, allowing the machines to communicate.
Earlier this year, Masco, www.masco.com, Taylor, Mich., a manufacturer of home products, and the EnOcean Alliance, www.enocean.com, Oberhaching, Germany, a group of companies with a mission to standardize wireless controls, announced a partnership.
According to the companies, the partnership combines EnOcean’s energy harvesting wireless control technology with green building products from Masco. The result of the partnership is the Verve Living Systems brand, which includes a new lighting control system.
This system uses energy harvesting and RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to gain energy from movement, light, or temperature. The partnership will also likely develop additional applications in HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) monitoring, environmental monitoring, and home security.
According to the companies, it can help offset builder costs, and provide homeowners with lifestyle and energy-saving benefits."

EnOcean Receives Venture Capital Investment Of €4.5 Million (www.powerpulse.net, 22.08.2008)

"EnOcean GmbH announced that it has received €4.5 million for acquisition of new markets worldwide and continued development of its self-powered wireless technology for energy-efficient systems in the building sector. This brings the company’s total amount of venture and growth capital since it was founded to over €20 million.
The investors with the largest shares are Wellington Partners GmbH, and 3i Group plc. Venture capital has also been provided by Emerald Technology Ventures AG, Siemens Venture Capital GmbH, Siemens Technology Accelerator GmbH, BayTech Venture Capital Beratungs GmbH, and ATMOS S.p.A.."

Funds flow to smart grids, carbon capture (media.cleantech.com, 21.08.2008)

"Investors were pulled into performance monitoring and carbon capture this week, with cash going toward Redwood City, Calif.-based Trilliant, Oberhaching, Germany's EnOcean, and Holladay, Utah-based Blue Source.[...]Germany's EnOcean, which makes self-powered wireless sensors for energy-efficient building systems, pulled in €4.5 million in venture capital funding. Wellington Partners and 3i Group led the round, joined by Emerald Technology Ventures, Siemens Venture Capital, BayTech Venture Capital and Atos SpA. EnOcean, which uses energy harvesting technology, has now raised more than €20 million."

GERMANY - Wellington and 3i lead EUR 4.5m EnOcean investment (www.privateequityeurope.com, 19.08.2008)

"A consortium of investors co-led by Wellington Partners GmbH and 3i Group Plc has invested EUR 4.5m into EnOcean GmbH, a producer of wireless sensors.
Other investors in the round included Emerald Technology Ventures AG, Siemens Venture Capital GmbH, Siemens Technology Accelerator GmbH, BayTech Venture Capital Beratungs GmbH and ATMOS SpA. This funding brings the company’s total amount of venture and growth capital since it was founded to over EUR 20m.
EnOcean produces wireless sensors for applications in building and industry. The company is currently achieving annual turnover and sales growth of 100% and has sold some half a million units. It estimates that the market potential for self-powered wireless modules could be as high as several hundred million modules a year. EnOcean was established in 2001, employs more than 40 people and is headquartered in Oberhaching near Munich."

Wireless light switch firm secures new funding (www.electronicsweekly.com, 19.08.2008)

"Wireless light switch technology firm EnOcean has secured €4.5m of venture capital. "This new financing will be focused on expanding the European and North American markets, and establishing new markets, especially in Asia. In addition, we’re investing in further development of our technology and products," said EnOcean CFO Uwe Thumm.
Based in Germany, the company is a spin-off from Siemens, developing and making wireless transmitter modules powered by the physical movement of their switch, and associated receivers.
Adopted by several major electrical fitting makers, including the UK’s MK, this latest cash pushes EnOcean’s total funding over €20m.
The company claims so far to have sold 500,000 units and annual turnover and sales growth is currently running at 100%.
nvestors with the largest shares so far are Wellington Partners of Munich and 3i Group in London. Others include Emerald Technology Ventures, Zurich; Siemens; BayTech Venture Capital Beratungs, Munich; and ATMOS, Milan.
In addition to MK, customers include Masco, Leviton and Honeywell of the US and Germany’s Eltako."

EnOcean Raises New Round (www.pehub.com, 19.08.2008)

"EnOcean GmbH, a German provider of self-powered wireless technology for energy-efficient systems in the building sector, has raised EUR 4.5 million in new VC funding. Wellington Partners and 3i Group were joined by Emerald Technology Ventures, Siemens Venture Capital, BayTech Venture Capital and Atos SpA. The company has now raised more than EUR 20 million.
EnOcean GmbH has received 4.5 million Euros for acquisition of new markets worldwide and continued development of its self-powered wireless technology for energy-efficient systems in the building sector. This brings the company's total amount of venture and growth capital since it was founded to over 20 million Euros.[...]
The investors with the largest shares are Wellington Partners GmbH, Munich and 3i Group plc, London. Venture capital has also been provided by Emerald Technology Ventures AG, Zurich; Siemens Venture Capital GmbH, Munich; Siemens Technology Accelerator GmbH, Munich; BayTech Venture Capital Beratungs GmbH, Munich; and ATMOS S.p.A., Milan."

EnOcean gets funding for expansion (www.eetimes.com, 19.08.2008)

"MUNICH, Germany — Wireless home automation system developer EnOcean GmbH (Oberhaching, Germany) has received another €4.5 million (about $6.8 million) in venture capital funding. The company plans to use the amount to drive the further development of its technology and expand its global presence.
With the latest capital injection, the funding now amounts to more than €20 million. Among the investors are Wellington Partners, the 3i Group, Siemens Venture Capital and ATMOS S.p.A of Italy.
With the fresh money the company plans to drive the formal standardization of its wireless and batteryless home control technology. The Enocean Alliance, a group of technology providers for this market has already gathered to support the technology as a de-facto standard.
Currently the company is in the process to develop the third generation of its technology. A new platform based on an ASIC will be introduced at upcoming electronica trade fair in November. According to a company spokesperson, Enocoean's 3G technology will support an enhanced feature set including bidirectional communication at smaller form factor and lower price.
In addition, the company plans to expand its presence in North America and the Near East. In the USA, Enocean recently has found two new partners which cover private homes and commercial buildings, the spokesperson explained."

Wireless, self-powered pushbutton modules (dataweek.co.za, 06.08.2008)

"When planning new industrial buildings and plants, intelligent automation solutions are becoming more and more popular, often employing several decentralised control units. However, the wiring of the necessary control elements quickly becomes expensive and inflexible.[...]One way out of this dilemma is the use of the innovative wireless transmission technology from EnOcean. This technology provides the required activation energy from actuation and ambient energy. This disposable energy is generated as kinetic energy eg, during switching operations or vibrations, or even as thermal energy eg, by light radiation or temperature differentials.
This technology, therefore, allows operation of control units without cable connection and even without batteries, thus making the units wireless, self-powered and low-maintenance.
New wireless transmitter modules from Schlegel use this technology for battery free transmission of a pushbutton signal. In this case the required energy is produced by the switching operation itself, thus making it independent from ambient conditions.
Transmission of the radio signal takes place on the licence-free SRD band (short range devices) at 868 MHz with a transmission power of 10 mW."

EnOcean wireless technology at 100% Detail 2008 (www.buildingtalk.com, 06.08.2008)

"The EnOcean Alliance and Ivory Egg will display an innovative range of self-powered wireless products on Stand T33 at 100% Detail 2008, the UK's definitive home-grown building products event A major highlight for stand visitors will be the amazing LightHive installation designed by architect Alex Haw.
A high tech ergonomic, ecological office chair and Echo light switches from MK Electric, a Honeywell business, will also be on display, together with switch offerings from Omnio and room temperature sensors from Thermokon.
The show will offer the ideal opportunity for the EnOcean Alliance to communicate its strategy and success to date in developing EnOcean self-powered wireless sensor technology as the standard for sustainable buildings.
Powered by tiny amounts of energy drawn from light, movement or changes in temperature in their surrounding environment, EnOcean sensors are able to transmit reliable wireless signals over 30 metres inside a building and 300 metres in free air.
They can be used wherever there is a need for wireless, hassle-free control of lighting, blinds, shutters, heating and air conditioning.
These capabilities inspired Alex Haw to conceive the LightHive installation, first shown at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London last year.
It consists of a constellation of hundreds of suspended LEDs which switch on and off and change in intensity using EnOcean technology.
At 100% Detail, Ivory Egg sensors, ranging from door contacts to seat sensors, infra-red detectors to IP cameras, when triggered will send a signal to individual receivers/dimmers, activating one or more of the bespoke LED's and filling the stand with light."

Wireless sensors enable sustainable homes (www.electronicstalk.com, 04.08.2008)

"WeberHaus, a German-based eco construction company with reference sites throughout the UK and Ireland, is implementing new installation concepts in sustainable homes using EnOcean wireless sensor technology WeberHaus is offering four home automation models that can be combined to match specific self-build specifications and requirements.
These include single room and central control of lighting, under floor heating, blinds and window monitoring, door entry security and central monitoring. Klaus-Dieter Schwendemann, Marketing Manager of WeberHaus, explains: 'The result is very high-quality, intelligent home control with significant value-add in ecological terms'. WeberHaus homes have an extremely low heating requirement and consequently need sensitive means of under floor heating control."

The spark is lit (www.cieonline.co.uk, August 2008)

"For many years now, GSM has been the leading technology for remote machine to machine (M2M) communication. It has the merit of being relatively simple and reliable to install – but each link needs a SIM which means subscribing to the network – imposing a cost overhead that has limited the use of wireless connections.
For a great many applications, the wireless connection doesn’t need to be always on – it just needs to be available from time to time for convenience. For example, cold chain dataloggers that store temperature information for chilled foods in transit may need to comply with regulations that temperature data needs to be recorded, but the records don’t need to be accessed in real-time. Data could be downloaded over a subscription free short-range wireless link at the depot, or aggregated via a gateway to optimise the use of a GSM link back to base.
Taking aggregation a stage further, other devices could be implemented for remote sensors, such as EnOcean’s wireless and batteryless transmitters.
These ‘scavenge’ energy from the environment, for example, switches utilise the energy generated when pushing the switch to transmit a data packet. The STM 110 can use a solar panel or even a Seebeck effect device, which converts temperature differences to useful power, and can transmit up to three analogue measurements and the status of four digital inputs. Use these devices with up to a 300 metre range, into a receiver connected back to back to a WiSM, and again you have a useful gateway from remote sensors to the Internet."

EnOcean Wireless Standard for a Healthy Climate in the Home (www.hbdonline.eu, 30.07.2008)

"Self-build specialist WeberHaus sets ecological and economical building installation benchmarks with EnOcean wireless technology. Oberhaching near Munich, 30 July 2008 - WeberHaus, a German-based eco construction company with reference sites throughout the UK and Ireland, is implementing new installation concepts in sustainable homes using EnOcean wireless sensor technology.
WeberHaus is offering four home automation models that can be combined to match specific self-build specifications and requirements. These include single room and central control of lighting, under floor heating, blinds and window monitoring, door entry security and central monitoring."

EnOcean Module Shipments of Wireless Sensors to Reach $1.4 billion in 2013, Says WTRS (PR-inside.com, 23.07.2008)

"New EnOcean 'energy harvesting' technology enlists 74 members in their month-old EnOcean Alliance, including such names as Distech Controls, Texas Instruments, Masco, Sylvania, Thermokon and more. This new wireless sensor network technology already installed in over 10,000 buildings. Clearly, it has achieved traction. WTRS completes the first study of this technology and forecasts strong market growth, while evaluating the competitive environment.[...] 'EnOcean has rapidly emerged as a significant competitor in the wireless sensor network arena,' according to Kirsten West PhD, principal analyst with WTRS. 'The combination of significant adopters, battery-less operation, and a mature and robust wireless sensor network protocol provide the market drivers required to succeed in today's market conditions. Given these and other factors, we forecast that EnOcean module shipments will reach $1.4 billion in 2013.'"

Ivory Egg and EnOcean Alliance Bring Lighthive Installation to 100% Detail (www.cpbsonline.eu, 22.07.2008)

"Ivory Egg together with EnOcean Alliance have pulled off a major coup in bringing Alex Haw’s amazing Lighthive installation to their stand at 100% Detail, the leading the UK's premier contemporary interiors event at Earls Court, London. First shown at the Architectural Association, the installation conceived and designed by Alex Haw is a gigantic lighthouse made up of hundreds of bespoke LED’s that was all made possible through the use of EnOceans innovative wireless sensor technology.
At the show, Ivory Eggs stand will be laced with a range of EnOcean's energy harvesting wireless sensor technology. Sensors ranging from door contacts to seat sensors, infra-red detectors to IP cameras when triggered will send a signal to individual receivers/dimmers, activating one or more of the bespoke LED’s of the luminous sky, filling the stand with light."

Getting A Grip On Building Automation (Electrical Contracting Products, July 2008)

"[...]'The challenge always has been in getting people to adopt the technology', says Graham Martin, CEO of the EnOcean Alliance. 'Adoption of any technology is usually slow, but the pace is picking up for building automation systems.'[...]'Because of advancements and simplification in the technology, building automation systems are more universal today[...]and mor people are realizing that building automation applies to them and they see it as a selling point for their property.'[...]"

Masco Announces Partnership with EnOcean Alliance for Self-Powered Wireless Control Systems (www.buildingonline.com, 17.07.2008)

"Masco Corporation has partnered with the EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of innovative international corporations with a mission to standardize wireless control systems for sustainable buildings. The partnership aligns EnOcean's energy harvesting wireless control technology with patented technologies developed by Masco to support of green building and to deliver forward-looking products to customers.[...] 'EnOcean has developed a truly groundbreaking self-powered wireless technology that will change the face of residential, commercial and industrial building construction for years to come,' said Dianne Pisarek, vice president responsible for Verve Living Systems. 'This has created a greater opportunity for companies worldwide by enabling a broad range of interoperable wireless monitoring and control products, and we're proud to be one of the founding promoters of the Alliance.'"

Breaking News - A No-Glitch Switch (www.enzinearticles.com, 10.07.2008)

"Imagine being able to move all your furniture around without having to worry about obstructing the light switches - because the light switches can just be moved at random!
Imagine being able to switch all the lights on in your house just as you approach your own driveway - from a remote control in the car!
Imagine being able to raise or lower the intensity of any light bulb in the house - saving energy costs and light bulb costs!
These are just some of the available options with the remote controlled lighting system that is just being introduced into North America. Switches are not attached to their corresponding lights by wire, and even batteries are not used in this system.[...]The manufacturer, Verve Living Systems, boasts that they can be pinned, screwed or taped to all surfaces, including concrete, glass and brick. This means that little children do not need a visit from mum to put off the light, and any wheelchair bound residents will have a light switch well within their reach. Power cuts will not affect the programming of your remote control as it has a non-volatile memory."

RS components launch eco-friendly product range (www.cieonline.co.uk, 10.07.2008)

"Company unveils over 1,600 best-in-class power-efficiency products[...]Also featured are EnOcean wireless control, switching and sensing products that don't need external power or batteries as all the power is generated internally"

EnOcean's "Stealth Attack" in the Home Automation Market (abiresearch.com, 27.06.2008)

"Key benefits of energy-harvesting in the context of building automation are the elimination of the material costs and the operational expense and complexity of maintaining a large number of batteries in the deployed sensor and actuator nodes. Clearly, in a large commercial building with thousands or tens of thousands of end-nodes, this can be a very desirable benefit.[...] Rather than the direct technological benefits offered by EnOcean's energy-harvesting technology, ABI Research believes it's the business aspects of what EnOcean is doing that give it the most potential for levering its way into the home automation market. Most directly, EnOcean announced at LightFair that Masco Corporation, one of the world's largest manufacturers of products for home-builders, with 52,000 employees and $11.8 billion in 2007 sales, would be incorporating EnOcean's technology into a lighting control offering. While this offering could simply be deployed as a wireless replacement for wire-based light switches, it is also extensible to a full home automation solution, and EnOcean believes that in many instances this fuller functionality will be enabled - not only for lighting control but for other aspects of home control functionality as well, such as door and window contact sensors. Given Masco Corporation's size and reach into the US home-building industry, this instantly puts EnOcean's automation-capable technology in front of a large portion of US home-builders. This access to the US home-building market is an important win for EnOcean. As ABI Research has stated in previous research reports, such as the recently published "Home Automation and Security: The Opportunity for Wireless and the Line between Automation and Security Blur", a key challenge faced by the home automation market has been the simple lack of knowledge about the benefits of home automation on the part of a mass-market audience. Home automation technology vendors are trying to make in-roads into the mass-market by expanding beyond the traditional CEDIA custom installers and Web stores targeting technophile DIY hobbyists, to include high-touch retail, broadband, and wireless service providers...and home-builders. Because of this one announcement with Masco Corporation, EnOcean has gained significant traction in this new channel. ABI Research also point outs that EnOcean is far from unknown in its home European market. The company has been fairly successful in gaining traction there, particularly in the commercial building automation market. It has announced close to 500,000 nodes deployed in over 10,000 buildings, including the headquarters for Siemens, SAP, and IBM in Europe. An "EnOcean Alliance" was launched earlier this year with the participation of 50 member companies who will help develop the technology and ensure interoperability between products. While EnOcean will face stiff competition from ZigBee and Z-Wave - along with others - there is little doubt that EnOcean has launched itself into the home automation market in a big way."

EnOcean gets off to a flying start (www.bsee.co.uk, 27.06.2008)

"The EnOcean Alliance has announced worldwide success in its opening months of operation with over 50 companies pledging their commitment to the development of EnOcean self-powered wireless technology as the standard for sustainable buildings.[...] MK Electric, a Honeywell business, is the first UK-based Alliance promoter to integrate EnOcean technology in its Echo range of wireless switches, launched in April. US semiconductor giant Texas Instruments also recently announced its backing of the EnOcean wireless standard joining other innovators and industry leaders such as Masco, Siemens, Leviton, Osram Sylvania, Distech Controls, Omnio and Thermokon.[...]"

The Unexpected and Questionable Green Products at PCBC (greenbuildingelements.com, 27.06.2008)

"[...]This Verve living system offers what they call a living control system which in simple terms operates like a whole house lighting system. We've seen this before but this one operates on battery free, self sustaining technology or what the call energy harvesting radio frequency technology.[...]"

Switches incorporating EnOcean (www.connectingindustry.com, 17.06.2008)

"MK Electric has launched a range of ‘self powered’, wireless and battery free switches, dubbed Echo. MK claim that they are the first UK manufacturer to incorporate ‘enabled by EnOcean’ technology. The lighting system comprises two components - the ‘self powered’ switch, and an RF receiver. The receiver is installed at the lighting fixture and wired into the lighting circuit at the time of ceiling installation. The switch is then mounted, using either adhesive pads or with screws if additional security is necessary. The switch is ‘aligned’ to the receiver by setting it into ‘learn mode’ and pressing the rocker. The switch will then be wirelessly dedicated to the fixture in question. One receiver can be programmed so it can be operated by up to 30 switches, while conversely, any number of receivers can be activated by a single switch."

Energy Harvesters, Thin-Film Batteries, Micro-Channel Fuel Cells Start Production (www.semiconductor.net, 13.06.2008)

"[...]Making real inroads in commercial applications of energy harvesting is the Siemens spin-off EnOcean GmbH (Oberhaching, Germany), with its wireless light switches and sensors now reportedly installed in more than 10.000 buildings, primarily for cost savings in commercial projects in Europe. 'The goal is wireless controls,' said applications engineering manager Eugene You. 'And that means no wire for power either and no battery.'
The mechanical movement of pushing a wall switch changes the flux in a coil to generate a very short electrical pulse. That's enough to send a very low-power radio signal to turn a light on or off, eliminating the need to install wiring. Key is the combination of energy harvesting with very efficient radio design.
Other systems can enable a smart building to sense and adjust light of heat to cut energy usage. Although the company is focusing on the building automation market, EnOcean is also getting calls from folks interested in everything from wireless lighting control for boats to call buttons for aircrafts to automatic transmissions for bicycles."

Energy-saving wireless controls (www.csemag.com, 12.06.2008)

"Ad Hoc offers a new line of self-powered wireless controls that reduces the amount of the time and materials needed to install energy-management systems in green buildings. Based on EnOcean technology, the Illumra product line will include wireless light switches, temperature sensors, occupancy sensors, and light light sensors that are powered using solar or mechanical energy sources. These battery-free transmitters communicate with room and building controllers to conserve energy through occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and personal workspace control technologies.[...]"

TI Joins EnOcean Alliance (calibre.mworld.com, 11.06.2008)

"The EnOcean Alliance and Texas Instruments (TI) announced that TI has become a full member and participating company in the recently established EnOcean Alliance. According to TI, the Alliance was founded to establish a global standard for sustainable buildings based upon EnOcean's energy-harvesting wireless technology. 'The EnOcean Alliance is a grest opportunity for TI, which is innovating to enable smart, energy-efficient buildings,' said Lauren Giai-Miniet, TI's liw-power RF product line manager. 'TI's involvement in the EnOcean wireless standard is an important way to apply our low-power semiconductor technologies to harness the untapped energy around us and move beyond batteries and power cords.' TI said it is a semiconductor supplier to the EnOcean Alliance eco-system, which includes companies such as Masco, Honeywell, Siemens, Osram, Sylvania, Distech Controls, Omnio and Thermokon."

Distech Controls helps EnOcean Alliance establish a wireless standard for green buildings (www.esmagazine.com, 10.06.2008)

"Distech Controls has joined 15 other promoter members to found the EnOcean Alliance, a global consortium of companies working to further develop and promote self-powered wireless monitoring and control products for sustainable buildings. Distech Controls was the first building automation manufacturer to offer a turnkey, commercially available wireless solution, based on EnOcean’s wireless battery-free technology.[...]"

The intelligent way to control energy is wireless (Environment UK, June, 2008)

"[...]EnOcean offers an innovative and affordable solution to those challenges with a range of self-powered (battery-less) wireless sensors and switches - that can literally be glued to the wall - and intelligent receivers that control lighting, HVAC, blinds and other electrical loads.[...]"

High Tech Approach To Sustainable Building (www.carbonfree.co.uk, 30.05.2008)

"A group of companies across North America and Europe have united to form the EnOcean Alliance. The Alliance's mission is to enable intelligent green buildings based on EnOcean energy harvesting wireless technology.[...]The Alliance addresses the demand in today's environment and economy for a wireless eco-system that combines a broad range of interoperable, flexible and uncomplicated monitoring/control products. In wireless building automation, the EnOcean self-powered wireless technology has the largest installation base in the world - with over 70 shipping manufacturers, 300 available products and 10.000 EnOcean-enabled buildings."

No wires, no batteries, no fuss as MK Electric’s Echo makes light switching ‘self-powered’ (www.voltimum.co.uk, 27.05.2008)

"MK is the first major UK manufacturer to incorporate this patented technology – so-called ‘enabled by EnOcean’, after the German company that developed it – into switches; and the new Echo range harvests tiny amounts of ambient energy to wirelessly operate lighting at ranges of up to 30 metres within buildings.
The wireless, battery free Echo range is suitable for a wide range of applications and installation environments: from office new build and refurbishment which may have a need to re-arrange space periodically, or glass partitions – preventing the use of wired devices – through to conservation or listed environments where chasing wires is not possible."

Intelligent Heating Control Cuts Energy Costs in Hospitals (Sustainable FM, February, 2008)

"A welcome and by no means insignificant side-effect of EnOcean wireless sensor technology, in addition to the lower burden on the environment through less consumption of energy, is that it reduces the generation of problem waste in the form of spent batteries. The application spectrum of EnOcean technology spans virtually every aspect of building automation. The technology is establishing itself as a standard, creating a foundation for biological construction systems, and presenting the key to smart green buildings."

Finger Power (Architecture Plus, December, 2007)

"Intelligent automation is the key to a major reduction of the energy consumed by a building- It also enables flexible room arrangement, because when almost inevitable changes are required, no recabling is necessary.[…] Even when planning glass dividing walls, an architect no longer has to dispense with the usual light switches and shutter switches next to a door or passage."

Harvest Time (Circuit Cellar, No. 209 December, 2007)

"EnOcean grabbed my attention with their 'energy harvesting' switch. The mythical 'stick on the wall' light switch always comes up in any conversations about embedded wireless and home automation. EnOcean makes it reality and takes it one step further by getting rid of the battery along with the wires. […] For now, it's mainly a matter of convenience and reliability (no battery issues), but ultimately on a grander scale, it's about capturing energy that we can no longer afford to waste."

Best Innovation in Green Product or Service (PFM, 11/2007)

"Self-powered wireless technology from EnOcean offers simple building automation for energy management. Not only does it simplify the cabling but it also is more flexible in high 'churn' environments. There are no batteries to be replaced and switches do not have to be installed at a prescribed location."

BuildingGreen Announces 2007 Top-10 Green Building Products (www.aia.org, November 9, 2007)

"It's green because it offers: Reduced material use, equipment that conserves energy or manages loads, improved light quality. Developed by German engineering giant Siemens and spun off as a separate company, EnOcean has engineered radio-frequency communication to use just one-tenth the power of most such controllers and figured out how to power these devices by harvesting ambient energy - including mechanical energy from operating a light switch or photovoltaic energy from lighting in a room. This enables the controllers to operate without batteries, thus saving the materials, energy, and waste from battery manufacturing and disposal."

EnOcean STM 110 Wireless Sensor Module (www.embeddedstar.com, November 4, 2007)

"The EnOcean STM 110 module is a wireless, battery-free sensor transmitter that integrates all sensor functions into a single module. The module targets OEMs developing products for commercial building monitoring and control, industrial processes, lighting control, automated metering infrastructures, and home automation. The integrated STM 110 module enables scalable and continuously adaptable sensor networks that can sense and transmit data on temperature, gas, humidity, vapor, current, light levels, water, pressure, location, occupancy and other parameters."

EnOcean scoops green tech award at Working Buildings Week (www.tmcnet.co, October 17, 2007)

"EnOcean's wireless, batteryless switch technology won the 'Best innovation in green product or service' award in The Working Buildings Week Innovation Awards 2007 - its second major design award in as many months. […] EnOcean's wireless switch also recently won the Building Product Innovation Award' at the 100% Design LondonAwards."

Wireless conversion (www.eetasia.com, October 12, 2007)

"EnOcean GmbH offers electro-dynamic energy converters that are linked wirelessly to power switches: thus the switch can be placed anywhere in a room, without wires that connect it to the power grid and without a battery. […] Besides wireless light switches, EnOcean produces thermo and solar energy harvesters."

Enabling Intelligent Green Buildings (www.twmexpo.com, October 11, 2007)

"EnOcean is the Key to Intelligent Green Buildings with the unique combination of wireless and maintenance free solutions […] EnOcean is the Global Leader in energy harvesting wireless sensor solutions with over 200 interoperable products of over 60 OEMs."

Intelligent Green Buildings (www.macroworldinvestor.com, October 03, 2007)

"Andreas Schneider, EnOcean's Executive VP Sales & Marketing explains: 'EnOcean and its partners have been successful in equipping a significant number of buildings in continental Europe, and matching the requirements of UK regulations for efficient use of energy. We are now ready to enable intelligent green buildings in the UK and look forward to sharing the benefits of self-powered wireless technology with the architect, building contractor and property owner community.' EnOcean's technology has also been short listed for the Best innovation in green product or service' award in The Working Buildings Week Innovation Awards 2007. The awards will be presented to the winning companies during a ceremony on Wednesday 10 October 2007."

Award-Winning Self-powered Wireless Technology from EnOcean (www.electronicspecifier.com, October 03, 2007)

"EnOcean's wireless switch recently won the 'Building Product Innovation Award' at the 100% Design London Awards in association with property developer Londonewcastle (Earls Court, London, 21 September 2007). The device beat nine other products nominated for the award, which was judged by a panel of high profile architects, services engineers and structural engineers. The judges were looking for innovation, intelligent use of materials and technology, and evidence of how the product improves the construction process."

Self-powered Wireless Technology from EnOcean enables Intelligent Green Buildings (www.calibre.com, October 03, 2007)

"Powered by energy drawn from light, movement or even changes in temperature, EnOcean's technology is rapidly becoming accepted as the standard for innovative sensor solutions in ecological building automation projects, ensuring greater energy efficiency and unparalleled flexibility at the lowest investment and operational cost. […] EnOcean offers a simple yet intelligent, self-powered wireless communications solution which is eco-friendly, easily installed and maintenance-free."

Ivory Egg Wins Building Product Innovation Award (www.wnibi.com, October 03, 2007)

"Presented at 100% Design, Ivory Egg were successful in winning Building Design magazine's 'Building Product Innovation Award'. The award was presented to Colin and Liz Price of Ivory Egg in the presence of hundreds of international, architects, designers, specifiers and influencers."

Battery-free, wireless lighting is the ultimate in room service (HospitalityConstruction, 09+10/2007)

"The switch and receiver modules form a basic, battery-free wireless lighting control system that represents a fundamental breakthrough in the creation, storage and management of power. [...] In Europe, many hotels have integrated a battery-free window management contact module that adjust the room's HVAC system when someone opens a window. These sensors can cut a hotel's a restaurant's energy consumption for heating by 40 percent."

Wireless Without Batteries (www.tmcnet.co, September 26, 2007)

"If you think light switches and thermostats are not very high tech, think again. EnOcean GmbH is shipping wireless modules that use energy harvesting techniques so no batteries are required. To meet the new thrust to manage lights and temperature using wireless technologies that offer more precise control, modules must be small enough to fit in a light switch and be cost-competitive with battery-powered systems."

Innovation in MEMS at MEMS Executive Congress (www.newsblaze.com, September 26, 2007)

"At MEMS Industry Group's annual MEMS Executive Congress, commercial manufacturers will share with an executive audience the innovative ways that they are employing Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. From Debiotech's tiny insulin pump, which comes close to matching the physiological delivery of insulin, to EnOcean's battery-less radio sensors, which combine miniature energy harvesters with radio technology to enable light switches, thermostats, leak detectors and other embedded sensing devices for home automation, MEMS technology is being used in applications as diverse as environmental monitoring in vineyards, digital cameras in cell phones, miniature microphones in PC laptops and location-aware mobile gaming."

Wireless switch wins BD's Building Product Innovation Award (www.bdonline.co.uk, September 24, 2007)

"Ivory Egg has won BD's Building Product Innovation Award with its wireless, battery-free, maintenance-free switch. The Enocean switch beat nine other products in the running for the award which was judged at the 100% Detail show on Friday. Five years in development, the switch can be used to control lights, blinds, shutters, heating or air conditioning without the need for cabling."

Searching for a design star (www.bdonline.co.uk, September 14, 2007)

"The Enocean switch can be used wherever there is a need to control lighting, blinds, shutters, heating and air conditioning. This is a brilliant little device that takes the headache out of wiring or rewiring buildings. [...] Given that no cabling is required, the device allows for great flexibility and is particularly useful in situations where no allowance has been made for lighting switches. Enocean also dramatically cuts down on wiring and maintenance costs."

Apollo Would Approve Of This Self-Powered Wireless Sensor (www.electronicdesign.com, Sep 13, 2007)

"The Sun God has been frowning on humanity for quite some time now as we continue to make little use of his gift that keeps giving—solar energy. But EnOcean Inc. gives him a reason to smile with its EVA120C wireless sensor kit, which relies on the company's STM110C solar-power module. Its small solar cell offers an integrated energy store for unrestricted functionality that lasts 60 hours in total darkness."

EnOcean EVA 120C Evaluation Kit (www.embeddedstar.com, September 12, 2007)

"EnOcean's EVA 120C Evaluation Kit includes everything necessary to quickly develop and test ultra low power wireless sensor modules for a variety of electrical and electronics applications. The kit components include an EnOcean STM 110C solar powered sensor transmitter module and a development board with a PC interface. [...] The Developer's Kit enables designers and engineers to quickly and easily simulate STM performance, to understand results and develop application-specific wireless sensor products based on EnOcean technology."

EnOcean Launches Battery-Free Wireless Sensor (www.sensorsmag.com, September 06, 2007)

"Finally, a complete package. The world's 'first wireless, battery-free...and affordable...sensor transmitter to integrate all sensor functions into a single module' has been unveiled in North America for OEMs developing products for commercial building monitoring and control, industrial processes, lighting control, automated metering infrastructures, and home automation. [...] STM 110-enabled products can be designed for quick and easy peel 'n stick installation practically anywhere. Products can be moved readily as floor plans or monitoring requirements change. Most installations do not require outside electricians or added networking overhead for managing the radio frequency."

First Battery-Free, Wireless Sensor Debuts (www.wirelessiq.com, September 05, 2007)

"'Battery-free, wireless sensor modules need to be designed as an integrated package,' said Jim O'Callaghan, EnOcean's vice president of Sales & Marketing, North . 'Piecing together components from different suppliers is inefficient because they have not been optimized to work with each other.' The integrated STM 110 module makes possible scalable and continuously adaptable sensor networks that can sense and transmit data on temperature, gas, humidity, vapor, current, light levels, water, pressure, location, occupancy and other parameters."

EnOcean Releases Developer's Kit That Lets OEMs Design Their Own Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensors (www.calibre.com, August 27, 2007)

"EnOcean has released a Developer's Platform that enables OEMs to design self-powered wireless sensors that do not require batteries or external power. The EVA 120C Evaluation Kit includes everything necessary to quickly develop and test ultra low power wireless sensor modules for a variety of commercial, retail, residential and industrial applications."

EnOcean Introduces Energy Harvesting Developers Kit (www.sensorsmag.com, August 21, 2007)

"EnOcean today released a Developer's Platform that enables OEMs to design self-powered wireless sensors that do not require batteries or external power. The STM module is the only commercialized product that integrates a wireless sensor, low power radio, solar cell power generator, microcontroller and ultra low power sleep timer and threshold detector for energy management. All module elements have been optimized to work together."

Battery-Free Joins Peel 'n Stick to Resolve Concerns (www.lightboard.com, August 1, 2007)

"Tens of millions of square feet of existing space need upgrading, but there's reluctance to install high- performance lighting controls because of the high cost of installation, disruption to operations and complexity… Battery-free EnOcean technology coupled with easy peel and stick installation of OEM-designed switches, monitors, sensors and personal lighting controls hurdle that reluctance."  

Wirless Switching without batteries (www.connectingindustry.com, July 18, 2007)

"'In the past, designers have been reluctant to take up radio frequency control for switching applications due to the need for switches with batteries, which obviously have a limited life,' said Mark Redfern of Wieland. 'Historically, therefore, radio control has been seen as an increased burden for the building operator. However, with EnOcean, because there is no power supply required, there are no maintenance requirements. By providing simple to program switching units combined with the plug-and-play gesis installation system, the EnOcean technology becomes a quick to install and cost effective solution for building and room control.'"

Harvest Time for Wireless Sensors (www.theiet.org, July 12, 2007)

"Boeing aims to use the same kind of design in its aircraft to replace miles of cabling that is currently needed to support the communication between switches in a passenger's armrest an the lights and alarms they control….The plan is to use wireless, self-powererd switches to transmit RF signals to sensors mounted in the ceiling that are powered from a 9V mounting rail. Trials are just beginning using customised switches developed by EnOcean."  

Sensors Insight (www.sensorsmag.com, July 12, 2007)

"Vibration isn't the only waste energy source being tapped—companies are converting light and heat into electricity, too. EnOcean, for instance, uses solar cells coupled with a storage device to power wireless sensors from ambient light. For links to other companies working on energy harvesting, the Energy Harvesting Forum is a good place to start."    

Lighting Up New York (www.energyandpowermanagement.com, June 28, 2007)

"Echoflex solutions, a manufacturer and distributor of lighting and HVAC control solutions introduced self-powered wireless switches and sensors. Using the EnOcean technology (a spin-off of Siemens AG), these switches and sensors provide the solution to wireless controls. The EnOcean technology generates energy derived from the environment and has a range of about 100 feet. When the wall switch is pressed, a piezoelectric crystal provides the power to send a signal to remote fixtures. Other environmentally derived methods include solar and electrodynamics. Watch this technology. I believe it is the sleeper technology that will jump start the wireless control revolution."  

Green Chips, Blood Logs, Sickis and Folksonomic Futurism (www.worldchanging.com, May 2, 2007)

"It's still only 2007. Apple has not yet shipped a single iPhone. We don't have Windows with Wheels and Eyeballs either. But self-powered green chips? The Germans, in the unlikely global stronghold of wind and solar, are very busy on ambient power: unlike Apple and Microsoft, nobody's ever heard of EnOcean. It's a start-up specializing in wireless doodads that can harvest and store the tiniest traces of environmental energy: a flux in daylight, a change of air pressure. Green-powered micronetworks—no more batteries."  

Energy for free (Components in Electronics, 4/2007)

"Energy harvesting and low-power wireless are being hailed as the 'The Next Big Thing'. … EnOcean currently ships transmitters that are powered by energy harvested from piezo, thermal, solar and electrodynamic sources."    

Ivory Egg launches EnOcean wireless and batteryless home automation solutions (www.hiddenwires.co.uk, April 2, 2007)

"EnOcean is a revolutionary wireless & batteryless sensing system that is establishing itself as the standard for wireless automation in commercial buildings. But the technology is equally suitable for residential use. In fact EnOcean products are already in use in UK homes where manufactures such Aqualisa use it to activate its Digital showering system from up to 30m away. EnOcean differs radically from other wireless systems in that it uses harvested energy from solar, mechanical and thermal sources to power the sensors within a building."

Harvesting energy next thing in a 'green' home (Chicago Tribune, March 30, 2007)

"The term 'energy harvesting' is just vague enough to be a bit on the creepy side - it could just as easily have come from a 1950s B-grade sci-fiction film as from a 21st Century German high-tech firm. However mysterious it may be in name, in concept energy harvesting is actually about creating power from a wide range of environmental sources beyond the usual solar and wind technologies. Energy harvesting is also the foundation for an unusual and growing line of electric switches and sensors from Germany-based EnOcean."