As the world seeks practical, market-based solutions to turn the tide against environmental degradation, illumination management comes under scrutiny from John Gunton.

North Building Technologies has released a new version of its integration platform ObSys (Object Systems). The previous version sold over 10 000 copies.

If the cost of an energy-management system to reduce energy costs is prohibitive, Dave Laurence advocates wireless technology.

The BACnet open-protocol building-automation system for the 173 000 m2 Beijing Olympic Park Underground Commercial Centre was provided by Delta Controls — a world leader in providing BACnet open-protocol BAS systems.

Ridi Lighting’s Control3 lighting-control package is designed to achieve maximum energy and cost efficiency. It is software based and uses standard TCP/IP and DALI to provide complete access to building systems from a single interface. Users can manage their own environment from a PC pop-up or wireless control. The system can also make use of the existing data network and manual control switches.

Elkay’s new ceiling-mounted PIR timer can be used in new and existing buildings and is just 64 mm wide with an external bezel of 70 mm.

Ashdown Park hotel & Country Club in East Sussex is using EMS Group’s Universe+ ACU wireless interfaces as the basis of a recent security upgrade. The hotel has 106 bedrooms and is a listed 19th century mansion house, so it was important not to damage the interior during the upgrade.

The lead and sensing element of these temperature sensors from ATC Semitec are made of the same material to prevent water ingress.

There are no centralised motor-control panels in Stanhope’s recently completed £55 million Bow Bells development in London’s Cheapside. Instead, the structure and specification for the highly intelligent control in this 20 000 m2 development called for extensive localised control of variable-speed drives. The installation of the systems to control the plant and achieve the objective of exceeding the requirements of Part L by more than 20% was carried out by Integrated Control Systems in a £650 000 contract awarded by Bovis Lend Lease.

Hotels are facing new energy challenges, and Sophie Ranson explains how building and energy-management systems are being used to reduce carbon emissions in the hotel industry.

When Oundle School, a boarding school with 1050 pupils, built a new facility for its biology and chemistry departments, it wanted a single, automated building-management system that could be serviced and maintained by the school’s own team of technicians. That requirement has been achieved with the installation of Tridium’s Niagara Framework by Andromeda Telematics to integrate all building-control functions onto one common platform.

Mitsubishi Electric’s latest touch-screen centralised controller can control up to 50 indoor units on an air-conditioning system. The AG150 has a 23 cm 800 x 600 pixel touch-screen display, and the G50 WebPages are available with it.

Rick Stein’s recently opened Prospect House hotel in Padstow combines seaside luxury with cutting-edge building intelligence.

Tony Diffley, stadium manager at Aston Villa, is over the moon with the capabilities of the expanding Trend building-management system.