ENOCEAN: a wireless, battery-less protocol
The ENOCEAN technology is the first wireless and battery-less building automation solution. It uses a very low energy communication protocol to send radio signals.
To communicate, peripherals derive the energy they need to operate from their environment (energy harvesting) either by transforming a mechanical pulse (pressing a switch) into energy or by harvesting solar energy and storing it in a small buffer storage battery.
The system stores energy when idle and consumes it when a command is transmitted.
Many equipment manufacturers are interested in the technology:
- Giant companies Schneider and Honeywell Peha, which produce terminals that operate with ENOCEAN;
- Eclypse PLCs provided by Distech Controls, which interface with ENOCEAN equipment;
- Specialist equipment suppliers NODON, ELTAKO and Dolphin (generic ENOCEAN brand).
Advantages of ENOCEAN
The technology supports simple building automation, with limited installation time and costs. It also optimises maintenance and improves the building’s flexibility.
Limitations
Despite industry’s interest in this type of technology and the technology’s growing democratisation, the cost of the modules remains higher than that of other radio-based technologies.
In addition, the volume of messages sent is limited due to the system’s low power (a terminal cannot be asked to perform several commands in succession).
Simulation: A simulation using Honeywell products with and without the ENOCEAN technology illustrates the difference in the cost of equipment.
The difference needs to be put into perspective by taking into consideration the optimised installation and wiring cost of the ENOCEAN system.
Click here to view the simulation
Kits: Since the technology remains expensive, specialist brands should preferably be used. They provide discovery packs at optimised prices, which is economically advantageous for small surface areas without a BAS and with no heating / cooling control system.
ENOCEAN can be set up in less than one day at a cost of less than €1,000 to monitor consumption and improve energy efficiency.
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