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Prince says part of the problem is that the marketplace has been flooded with a plethora of products of increasing sophistication and functionality, leaving the end user with a bewildering choice of systems. Competing technologies also raise the issue of cost-effectiveness, as the general perception is that building efficiency is a costly business.
“What a lot of companies are not aware of is that you can just do one room at a time. A developer might say to us it is impossible to retrofit 300 rooms at a time, for example. We say approach it simply – introduce the new technology as one tenant leaves and before the next moves in.” Prince says that RWN Trading is engaged in a major contract involving a 1 000-bed hotel, where it has installed a mock-up room in order to obtain real-time energy-efficiency data.
“Now that Sheikh Mohammad is really behind sustainability, people will start to take it more seriously. Combined with such major global platforms as the Copenhagen Climate Conference, it has really begun to enter people’s psyches. We have been in business for three years, but have never had as many automation and control enquiries as we have had since January this year,” says Prince.
Predicated on its philosophy of user-friendly, cost-effective technology, RWN Trading has launched Zity, which regulates lighting, air-con, heating and security from a single interface. “At the simplest level, this means replacing ordinary light switches with smart wireless ones. The intelligence is built in. Most systems are very complicated. This is a simple and low-cost installation. It is also very easy to adapt according to changing needs, without the services of an IT professional,” says Prince.
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Technology benchmark
What this means is that the Middle East has become an interesting benchmark for new technology, to the extent that major companies are seeking to gain a toehold as the green revolution takes hold. One such company is Leviton of the US. “Coming into this market, I would say 70% of our product line has to be redeveloped or re-engineered for form factor and voltages, etc. “The good news is that our integrated network solutions are universally accepted.
“Therefore this represents our first endeavour in the Middle East, and it is doing phenomenally well. We are now looking to bringing lighting controls and energy management product to this part of the world,” says Leviton US vice-president: lighting management systems Richard Westfall.
“We have a tremendous investment in new-technology products. We have just come out with a complete control system, including occupancy sensing and vacancy sensing, that is totally ‘peel-and-stick’. So there is no wiring; you use your existing wiring, which cuts down on labour, materials and energy consumption. What we are really proud of is that we are the first to commercialise such wireless, self-powered, no-battery technology,” says Westfall. The company introduced its latest innovation at Middle East Electricity.
“This is only our second year in the Middle East, so visibility and getting our name out in the industry is very important to us. We have come here, I guess you would say, a little late … but we want to take 104 years of brand recognition and leadership in North America and bring it to the rest of the world. That is our ultimate goal.”
Next major light source
Commenting on other trends, Westfall says that “LED, of course, has become what we feel is going to be the next major light source in the industry. But when this will happen is the wild card. Is it in three years’, or maybe five years’ time? Right now it is too expensive for the lumens it allows, but each year it is becoming more effective and efficient, so it is just a matter of time.”
The potential cost of refurbishment is also a critical bottom-line issue. “Sometimes the energy management product installation is very costly and inefficient because we have to start tearing into walls to install wiring and sensors.” This is where Leviton’s latest product comes into play. “It is a wireless, battery-less occupancy sensor. It comprises a PV cell that uses the energy of the light present in the room to charge the sensor, which has a wireless connection to a remote switch. The mechanical action of pressing the button is what powers the switch,” says Westfall.
Yet another global energy management specialist targeting the Middle East market is Schneider Electric. Its latest innovation is Wiser Home Control, launched by Clipsal Middle East, an integrated home control solution that interlinks electrical, multimedia and telecoms in a single user-friendly solution. “Being eco-friendly is not just about saving energy, but optimising the use of energy. This is a whole new way of approaching environmental awareness and sustainability,” says Schneider Electric Gulf countries president John Griffiths.
“Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy management, with solutions that enable 30% energy savings without compromising on comfort, performance and reliability. We are committed to helping individuals and organisations make the most of their energy, and hence the launch of Wiser Home Control. We have seen tremendous interest from real-estate developers and installers for a solution that can adapt to lifestyles and work practices, and reduce energy use,” says Griffiths.
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