Self-powered wireless tech is shaping the future of connected lighting

In conjunction with intelligent IoT systems, self-powered wireless solutions also help optimise the utilisation of buildings, create new service models and make buildings more flexible, more energy-efficient and altogether more cost-effective.

Key technology for intelligent lighting and IoT systems

Wireless lighting networks are uniquely positioned to serve as the IoT network backbone in buildings. They can transport data from a variety of sensors to make buildings smarter, safer and more comfortable.

Energy harvesting sensors can provide this data quickly, conveniently and without the need for maintenance, making EnOcean a major partner, enabling a key technology for IoT solutions and sustainable smart lighting control.

In conjunction with IoT cloud solutions such as IBM´s Watson IoT Platform or Microsoft Azure, self-powered EnOcean-based sensors furthermore enable maintenance-free solutions for Real Estate Management to increase operational, financial and environmental performance of facilities.

“Digitalisation has revolutionised the lighting industry. We see a huge momentum on smart lighting to become the data backbone for the IoT and many other intelligent services”, said Andreas Schneider, CEO and founder, EnOcean.

“This makes our self-powered switches the perfect fit for personal control and allows our maintenance-free sensors to deliver the data needed for automation depending on the current situation."

"Self-powered wireless switches and sensors obtain the energy from the surroundings, therefore not requiring any cables or batteries. For that reason, energy harvesting technology becomes a key component to enable future-oriented intelligent lighting and IoT solutions.”

At booth U14, EnOcean will be presenting maintenance-free sensor solutions for modern lighting control on the basis of open standards such as EnOcean, Bluetooth and Zigbee.

Self-powered wireless solutions for EnOcean lighting systems in sub 1 GHz

Maintenance-free wireless sensor solutions based on the EnOcean wireless standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3-1X) introduced by the EnOcean Alliance on the sub 1GHz band have been successfully established for use in LED lighting control.

These maintenance-free solutions are perfectly suited for controlling LED lighting solutions, such as LED lighting controls, solar-powered presence and light sensors, kinetically operated light switches, and a commissioning tool.

These wireless control solutions can be easily added to existing buildings during an upgrade to LED lighting. In addition, these solutions help make LED lighting solutions more energy-efficient and cost-effective, enabling installers to quickly and flexibly install them.

Maintenance-free lighting control solutions for Bluetooth lighting systems

EnOcean will be presenting self-powered wireless switches and sensors for Bluetooth lighting control systems in 2.4GHz based on the proven energy harvesting technology.

The self-powered and wireless Easyfit Bluetooth switches with Near Field Communication (NFC) allow simple or complex lighting scenes and effects, and enable simple, flexible installation of lighting applications.

Easyfit Bluetooth switches are compatible with various solutions from leading LED lighting manufacturers and have already been installed in hundreds of buildings. Combined with Bluetooth lighting systems from Casambi, Helvar, Silvair, Vossloh-Schwabe, Xicato and Wirepas, Easyfit wall switches offer lighting installers the benefits of maintenance-free, easily positionable and ready-to-use solutions, allowing flexible control as well as intuitive usage.

At this event, EnOcean will present first samples of the upcoming solar-based sensors for Bluetooth lighting systems, for example, an occupancy sensor, a temperature/humidity sensor, a magnet contact and a light sensor.

Maintenance-free 2.4GHz Zigbee lighting solutions

EnOcean is closely working together with leading manufacturers of lighting applications such as Philips and other partners, developing self-powered lighting solutions for Zigbee systems on the 2.4GHz band for use in consumer and commercial LED lighting systems, e.g. the Hue tap.

Another recent example of successful collaboration is the Friends of Hue program. As a supplement to Philips lighting solutions, several lighting control manufacturers such as Busch-Jäger, Niko, Feller and Vimar, have already presented various switch designs based on energy harvesting technology from EnOcean.

Additionally, EnOcean collaborates in the Zigbee Alliance Green Power Working Group to further drive energy harvesting for Zigbee solutions forward.

One example of this collaboration was optimising the Zigbee green power protocol for energy harvesting devices by standardising a new generic switch model. Furthermore, EnOcean was supporting the optimisation of the Zigbee green power sensor protocol, enabling compact data reporting.

Learn more about energy harvesting wireless controls

On the second day of the Trends in Lighting conference (26th September, 9:30 to 10:00 am, Seegalerie), visitors are invited to join Matthias Kassner, VP Product Marketing at EnOcean, in his presentation “Smart lighting owns the ceiling – but what about the walls?”.