News

EnOcean Alliance Founded To Standardize Wireless Sensor Systems for Sustainable Buildings

April 06, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

A group of companies across Europe and North America have united to form the EnOcean Alliance with the mission to enable intelligent green buildings based on EnOcean energy harvesting wireless technology. Founding promoters of the Alliance include Distech, MK Electric, a Honeywell Business, EnOcean, Masco, Omnio and Thermokon. Additional member companies are joining from over 70 product partners currently deploying EnOcean enabled products.

It is claimed that the foundation of the EnOcean Alliance addresses the demand in today’s environment for a wireless eco-system that combines a broad range of interoperable, flexible and uncomplicated monitoring and control products for use in and around residential, commercial and industrial buildings. It is claimed that, in wireless building automation EnOcean self-powered wireless technology has the largest install base worldwide – with over 70 shipping customers, 300 available products, with 10,000s of equipped buildings many with thousands of interoperable nodes.

It is claimed that the potential for sustainable wireless communication solutions is enormous. EnOcean claims that, for facility managers and property developers, for example, low power wireless technology is not only energy efficient but reduces cabling, saves installation time and cost, removes the need for batteries, eliminates maintenance and provides unlimited freedom and flexibility.

To further develop EnOcean technology, the Alliance will focus on formalizing the specifications for the interoperability of the sensor profiles for the wireless products operating in unlicensed frequency bands and subsequently ratify as an international standard.

The Alliance has three membership classes: promoters – innovators and key players who will lead, define and drive the Alliance; participants – companies and suppliers providing product and services using the Alliance technology; associate members – building professionals, academics and smaller distribution partners interested in the technology, advancements, examples, training and so on.

"The EnOcean Alliance will provide significant advantages to members through the use of future-oriented maintenance-free wireless monitoring and control technology," commented Graham Martin, Founder of the EnOcean Alliance. "Building professionals benefit from unlimited flexibility by allowing selection of a broad base of interoperable products thus enabling simple, speedy and cost-attractive adaptation to changing requirements."