Colombia. Buildings account for 42% of global energy consumption and emit an equally significant amount of carbon dioxide, according to the International Energy Agency. This leads to measures being taken to improve the energy efficiency of these infrastructures, in addition to the fact that energy demand will increase by 50% by 2050.
Taking into account the need to develop solutions that contribute to meeting energy efficiency goals, Schneider Electric, a leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, participated in the Sixth National Meeting of Electrical Technicians, where it shared its experience in the development of products that contribute to this end.
In this regard, the company exposed the benefits of KNX Lite; a platform to program and make more efficient lighting, heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems, also used for the electric opening and closing of blinds, alarms, atmospheric condition sensors, among others. The open KNX protocol is a complete offering of sensors and actuators for every required function, automating buildings and making them smarter.
The KNX Lite simplifies the process of setting up automated projects with KNX devices, allowing non-lighting control experts (electricians) to implement lighting control projects with just one day of training. In addition, it allows to obtain the list of materials without the user having to know the numbers of parts or references, that is, the software performs the selection process.
It also favors the electrician, making him totally autonomous in the design, selection of equipment, configuration and programming of a project with KNX. Homes, offices or buildings benefit from using the solution because it provides comfort to occupants, increases energy efficiency rates, provides remote connectivity through mobile devices and increases the security of the building, all with flexibility and scalability.
On the other hand, with an 8-hour training, the user will obtain the necessary tools to be able to carry out projects within the scope of the eConfigure KNX Lite solution. Currently, there are all kinds of buildings with the KNX solution: offices, universities, banks and hospitals, in which it has been possible to obtain success stories linked to comfort and energy efficiency.
One of the objectives of the eConfigure KNX Lite tool is to be able to reach projects of different sizes, for example, in small ones , it is easy to implement it because people do not need a great experience in the area of building automation to put it into operation.
Buildings must be designed with essential approaches: first of all, thinking about people, their comfort and functionality. This means that the structure must meet all the possible demands that a user requires to work or live, whether it is a small commercial establishment or a large complex. Another pillar is that the building must be responsible with the planet, with its resources and carbon emissions. Finally, all constructions must be thought of the profits and benefits of both users and investors. For example, an efficient building can save up to 30% in operating expenses, by reducing the use of energy in its management.
