By Lighting Controls Association, on March 14, 2012
This short video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2011 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Polaris 3D by Encelium Technologies, the company’s next generation of lighting control software for the Energy Control System™.
This new software offers users a single 360°, three-dimensional navigation in a multi-floor view, permitting faster and easier navigation to a desired control zone with the ability to see an entire facility or complex in a convenient 3D snapshot.
Utilizing Microsoft’s Silverlight technology, Polaris 3D will permit access to the system via a simple web browser, eliminating the need for software installation, resulting in increased security, faster set-up and start times, and easier integration with other web-based building control systems. Polaris 3D also provides a colorized thermo-graphic representation of system parameters for lighting status, power consumption, light levels; occupancy status; load shedding status; and comparative energy trends.
By Lighting Controls Association, on October 19, 2011
This short video, produced by the Lighting Controls Association at the 2011 LIGHTFAIR event, introduces the building industry to Cooper Controls’ Venergy Advanced Energy Metering System.
The Venergy Energy Monitoring Web Tool provides actual metered lighting energy usage in real-time on any PC, touchscreen, Plasma/LCD display, iPad or iPhone. The tool offers energy savings and can provide entire building monitoring or be as specific as per individual circuit level. With real-time and historical data available instantaneously and automatic alerting features, the Venergy Energy Monitoring Web Tool enables facility managers to display critical building information, track performance, manage and control resource consumption, reduce environmental impacts and save money.
By Lighting Controls Association, on July 27, 2011
Encelium Technologies has introduced Polaris 3D, its next generation of lighting control software for the Energy Control System™. As the first software application of its kind in the lighting control industry, Encelium elected to unveil this ground-breaking technology at LIGHTFAIR International 2011, held in Philadelphia this spring.
The new software, which will be available in August 2011, offers users a single 360°, three-dimensional navigation in a multi-floor view, permitting faster and easier navigation to a desired control zone with the ability to see an entire facility or complex in a convenient 3D snapshot. Here’s a video describing the new software:
“Polaris 3D is a unique lighting innovation with tremendous capabilities,” explained Terry Mocherniak, chief operating officer of Encelium Technologies. “Users will no longer need to navigate through single floors, or a ‘tree architecture,’ to control lighting in their facility,” Mocherniak said. “Instead, they now have all of the key data at a glance, enabling them to optimize energy savings and improve occupant comfort and productivity with ease.”
Utilizing Microsoft’s Silverlight technology, Polaris 3D will permit access to the system via a simple web browser, eliminating the need for software installation, resulting in increased security, faster set-up and start times, and easier integration with other web-based building control systems. Polaris 3D also provides a colorized thermo-graphic representation of system parameters for lighting status, power consumption, light levels; occupancy status; load shedding status; and comparative energy trends.
“As a result, users will be able to identify lighting related inefficiency trends or operational anomalies anywhere in the facility,” Mocherniak said. “Such non-lighting parameters as temperature, CO2 levels, and air quality can also be represented in this thermo-graphic view, if the system is integrated with a building automation system.”
The central software enables facility managers with drag and drop functionality to simply group floors, rooms or even desks into zones which are then controlled as a unit. Users can instantly rearrange lighting layouts by moving a zone from one area to the other with just a click of their mouse. Polaris 3D also provides the ability to change light levels anywhere in a complex, modify default levels and set lighting time schedules.
The launch of Polaris 3D follows Encelium’s recent introduction of its CarbonWatch energy dashboard software application. Working with the company’s Energy Control System, CarbonWatch continuously displays a building’s energy performance and carbon footprint reduction in a slide-show format. Designed for public information displays in building common areas, it can also be installed in interactive information kiosks.
WattStopper has launched Control Six Online, a new free online tool to help users pinpoint ideal lighting control solutions for the six types of spaces most commonly found in commercial buildings. This interactive selector offers two levels of performance, with unlimited access to a single room Quick Selector and login access to a Multi-Room Selector developed for professional users. Both versions prompt users to input information about each space in order to recommend appropriate products.
Control Six Online recommends lighting control solutions including wall switch and ceiling occupancy sensors, time switches and lighting control panels for the following areas:
The Quick Selector provides easy-to-use drop-down menus and pre-populated options to guide the user to a robust control solution. Once a single room solution is identified, users can download PDF documentation including project identification, selected options and model numbers and photos of products needed. Users exploring solutions for applications beyond the scope of Control Six receive specific guidance or recommendations about alternative control solutions or technical support.
The Multi-Room Selector allows users to identify solutions for entire projects and maintain a library of these projects. Rather than starting at the beginning for each room, users can duplicate rooms that are similar to each other and make necessary modifications. Once a project is complete, the user can download both a room-specific equipment schedule as well as a project bill of materials. Documentation is available as a PDF or an Excel file for quotation and estimation purposes.
Control Six Online may be accessed at www.wattstopper.com/ControlSix. It complements WattStopper’s popular Control Six brochure which is available for download from the company’s website.
Encelium Technologies has introduced its new CarbonWatch (CWED) energy dashboard software application. Working in conjunction with the company’s revolutionary Energy Control SystemTM, this application continuously displays a building’s energy and carbon reduction performance in a configurable slide-show format.
As the most advanced commercial lighting control system on the market, ECS typically meets or exceeds today’s sustainable requirements for new or existing properties. The intelligent lighting solution uses the collaborative power of addressable networking technology in conjunction with advanced control hardware and software such as CWED.
“CarbonWatch helps commercial office building owners and property managers educate tenants, visitors and personnel about the energy performance of the ECS lighting control system in their building and how it contributes toward significant cost reductions as well as energy management and sustainability objectives,” said Tony Marano, president and CEO of Encelium.
Designed for public information displays in building lobbies, elevators or other public areas, CWED also can be installed on interactive Information Kiosks with touch-screen input. Sustainability data can be selectively disseminated based on each customer’s unique requirements.
Four different views are supported by CWED. These include:
· Energy savings, which compares ECS’ total energy consumption savings (kWh), for an area or building during a defined period of time, compared to the baseline lighting energy load
· Energy demand history chronicles past savings over a specified time period, ranging from the last hour to last 12 months
· Energy savings breakdown by strategy highlights ECS’ six strategies, which include smart time scheduling, daylight harvesting, occupancy sensing, load shedding, personal control and task tuning
· Carbon reduction displays the total effective reduction in CO2 emissions for a specified time period.
Established in 2001, Encelium has installed ECS in more than 35 million square feet of commercial space throughout North America and Europe. The system, which has an average two-to-five-year payback-on-investment period, reduces lighting use and energy costs at a faster rate than other environmental measures.
Ideal for retrofits or new construction of office buildings, schools, healthcare, public facilities, parking garages, big-box retail, stadiums, sports facilities and industrial/warehouse space, ECS improves workplace ergonomics, occupant productivity and tenant satisfaction.
In addition, ECS also contributes between 12 to 18 points, depending upon the application, toward achieving the coveted U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). CWED may also qualify for one extra LEED point in the “Innovation in Design” category.
By Lighting Controls Association, on April 4, 2011
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. makes it easy to design light control systems with the debut of the new Lutron Designer.
Lutron Designer is currently available for manufacturer representatives on DIMs, and allows users of the software to:
* Design light control systems with GRAFIK Eye QS, Energi Savr Node modules, Sivoia QS Shades, seeTouch QS controls, Radio Powr Savr sensors, dimming ballasts and other devices for simple single area projects to complex multiple floor applications
* Generate a one-line diagrams that can be exported in AutoCAD DXF file format
* Develop a project bill of materials with option to add line items and export to quotation tool
* Provide detailed engraving requirements and product color selection
* Review outputs prior to printing or exporting documents in the report center
“Manufacturer representatives and dealers have been anxiously waiting the release of this software, which takes you beyond design through the submittal process,” says Jason Renner, Applications Sales Manager for Lutron. “The advanced features and flexibility of the software combine to deliver better and more detailed lighting control designs and results in reduced efforts as projects proceed through design and construction.”
Lutron manufacturer representatives and dealers can download the new Lutron Designer by visiting DIMs – www.lutron.com/dims. For access to DIMs, please contact your local Lutron sales representative or Lutron customer service at 1.888.LUTRON1. There is a Lutron Designer user guide also on DIMs available for download and access to sign up for a training webinar.
By Lighting Controls Association, on March 30, 2011
Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics has announced the availability of an Apple iPad app for its RadioRA 2 total light control system. The app is designed to control lights, shades, temperature and appliances, adding a touch of convenience and the very real benefits of saving energy throughout the home.
The app allows homeowners to:
* monitor and control their system while away from home (ideal for vacation properties)
* enact a temporary, energy-saving ”green” mode that reduces light levels and turns off unneeded appliances
* personalize programming with a real-time level editor
* control multiple homes from one iPad
The application is available now on iTunes® for $19.99.
Introduced in 2009, the RadioRA 2 total light control system is scalable to 200 devices, programs quickly using an intuitive PC application, integrates with popular home automation systems, including Lutron shade and drapery systems, and includes many energy-saving features. The system utilizes Lutron’s patented Clear Connect™ wireless technology for reliable performance in critical applications.
The Top Product winners were selected using an e-mail ballot to readers of Building Operating Management who were asked to select their choices that met two criteria: usefulness to facility managers and innovation. Of 551 products that appeared on FacilitesNet.com between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010, readers chose 74 as Top Products for 2011.
Cooper Control’s Venergy Energy Monitoring Web Tool provides actual metered lighting energy usage in real-time on any PC, touchscreen, Plasma/LCD display, iPad or iPhone. The tool offers energy savings and can provide entire building monitoring or be as specific as per individual circuit level. With real-time and historical data available instantaneously and automatic alerting features, the Venergy Energy Monitoring Web Tool enables facility managers to display critical building information, track performance, manage and control resource consumption, reduce environmental impacts and save money.
WattStopper recently announced 
