Interior view of a well-lit car park

Intelligent light management


Intelligent sensors in combination with Bluetooth® Mesh technology enable impressive energy savings of over 90 per cent.

Modern sensor technology with high-performance communication nodes can help to operate commercial properties ranging from office buildings to event halls in a sustainable and cost-saving manner. The networks based on Bluetooth Mesh are optimised for the control and communication of sensors and the creation of large-scale device networks.

The networkable SENSOTEC sensors from STEINEL Solutions serve as the basis for building automation, asset tracking and other IoT solutions.

Networkable SENSOTEC NET sensors

With its own SENSOTEC product portfolio, STEINEL Solutions offers intelligent standard sensors for smart lighting management. SENSOTEC sensors can be easily integrated into existing lighting solutions thanks to their compact design. They register presence, light levels and many other parameters with zonal accuracy.

Sensor modules for commercial lighting have long been equipped with technologies that can detect movement in parts of buildings and parameterise individual luminaires in operation. However, until now there has been the major problem of different, proprietary approaches: The sensors were not compatible with each other and in order to be functional, they needed additional gateways. Data exchange and central data analyses involved a great deal of effort.

Linear luminaire shown with transparency with visible, integrated sensor from Steinel behind mesh network with Bluetooth SIG logo

STEINEL Solutions achieves compatibility by integrating network technology such as Bluethooth Mesh or Wirepas. Networking means that the installation of the SENSOTEC sensors can be prepared offline and the luminaires can then be commissioned on site in a short space of time. The sensors are initialised and configured via the web and mobile app. Every facility manager can easily use this control app. It is possible to freely define luminaire groups with configurable behaviour. For example, only certain required areas are illuminated. 

An app not only makes the solution easy to use, but also future-proof in the long term. Regular further developments for controlling the sensor networks can be easily installed via the app using firmware updates.

Wireless networking also offers a major advantage in the retrofit sector: if a lighting system needs to be modernised, it can be retrofitted without having to adapt existing installations. Previous wired lighting systems with their high installation costs and the effort involved in replacements are now a thing of the past.

Network technology

Floor plan divided into different lighting zones for visualising building management systems

One possible communication technology for networking is Bluetooth Mesh, developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Bluetooth Mesh offers maximum reliability, scalability and compatibility for commercial building automation.

‘In addition to its high reliability, the major advantage of the Bluetooth standard is its widespread use and connectivity via smartphones,’ explains Andrea Lachner, Business Development & SENSOTEC at STEINEL Solutions.

Wirepas, as another possible network technology, does not require a central control unit, which makes the network particularly robust and resilient. This decentralised topology ensures that the network remains functional even if individual nodes fail. Another outstanding advantage is the scalability.

All sensors from STEINEL's SENSOTEC NET portfolio can be networked using Bluetooth technology or Wirepas. Andrea Lachner explains: ‘Each company has to decide for itself which technology standard to use. Every technology has advantages and disadvantages. The decision is often based on compatibility considerations with other technologies already implemented in the company.’

Interior view of a car park with linear fluorescent light fittings for lighting

Intelligent lighting solution for multi-storey car parks

Until now, lighting in multi-storey car parks has been cost-intensive as it has to be operated around the clock. Innovative and intelligent lighting systems improve energy efficiency immensely: the lighting is only switched on when it is actually needed.

Linear luminaires with SENSOTEC sensors provide an intelligent, modern lighting solution. The intelligent lighting system recognises the movement of pedestrians or cars and illuminates frequented zones for a defined period of time. If the defined zones are unoccupied, they are illuminated with dimmed comfort lighting of 10-50 per cent or the lighting is switched off completely.

Reference

Energy savings, efficient processes, better utilisation of space

With the networkable SENSOTEC sensors, building operators have numerous smart optimisation options:

  • Optimise building management: Energy data and power consumption can be measured with pinpoint accuracy. Unnecessary electricity consumption is detected directly and costs are saved. Some customers achieve energy savings of over 90 per cent and thus operate buildings more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner.
  • Optimise space utilisation: Heat maps provide precise information about the actual number of people in commercial properties. They show where there is potential for optimising space utilisation. The information from the sensor networks can be used, for example, to collect and evaluate data on the utilisation of flexible office workstations. This allows a reliable overview of actual demand and more efficient building utilisation.
  • Optimise processes: Customers of STEINEL Solutions could use the data to redesign processes. For example, automated cleaning processes in hotels: cleaning staff receive information via Bluetooth Mesh as to whether a guest has already left their room. Staff do not have to search for free rooms and can therefore work faster.

Lighting installations as IT infrastructure for smart building management

In future, all information potentially received by the sensors can be recorded and analysed centrally via networked luminaires. ‘Our vision for the future is lighting installations as central IT backbones for various building automation requirements,’ says Andrea Lachner. ‘A higher-level IT infrastructure is created with intelligent lighting sensors networked using communication technology such as Bluetooth Mesh or Wirepas. This then includes, for example, the control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, shading through blinds and control via window contacts.’ 

The feedback from customers who are already working with a smart lighting management solution is extremely positive. In addition to the short-term savings that can be achieved through greater energy efficiency, the simple, reliable handling of the sensors via a smartphone app is impressive. It also creates the basis for future wireless IoT networking and building automation.

Portrait of the contact person

‘The future of building technology lies in intelligent networking. With solutions such as Bluetooth Mesh or Wirepas, we are not only creating efficient lighting systems, but also laying the foundations for a comprehensive, flexible IT infrastructure in modern buildings. Our aim is to fulfil the requirements of tomorrow's building automation today.’

Andrea Lachner, Business Development & SENSOTEC at STEINEL Solutions AG

Contact

Networked sensor technology in luminaires offers far more than just lighting. It opens up new possibilities for building automation by transforming lighting installations into centralised IT backbones.

The team at STEINEL is not only a leader in development and implementation, but also in providing solutions that simplify everyday life in facility management and shape the future of intelligent building technology.