June 2004 : Newsletter

Anniversary Edition

One year ago we started writing this newsletter to provide our customers with additional information about EnFlex products, services, and applications. EnFlex has continued to grow over the past 12 months and is headed for a record breaking year thanks to all of you.

We are constantly being challenged by our customers with innovative applications and product requirements. EnFlex is in the process of phasing out its venerable MG-200 Site Control Server (SCS). Many customers already are using the new G-100 SCS in their applications. As with any transition the new product has significantly greater capabilities with its greater memory and processing power; however, the G-100 does not have all of the ports and IO featured on the MG-200. EnFlex found that customers seldom used all of these capabilities on a single application and we were asked numerous times for a product that could be better tailored to typical building control applications of our customers. We believe the G-100 is that product.

We look forward to continuing to provide new products and application expertise to our customers.

Gerry and David

Pulse Input Option Added to the G-100

EnFlex announces the addition of a pulse input option to the G-100 family of SCSs. The G-100 now is available as a G-100-0xxA model that provides 3 pulse counters for electric, water, or gas metering applications. This capability significantly increases the cost effectiveness of this product when additional metering is required for the project. To obtain additional information on this option, please request the updated G-100 data sheet (EnFlex document 91G100PRDESC 1-1) or contact David or Brian in Sales.

More G-100 Flexibilities

EnFlex has been implemented in many applications recently that have required additional memory and data storage capabilities beyond that in the standard MG-200 or G-100. Fortunately for EnFlex and our customers, the G-100 is now available a variety of options for additional RAM and data storage. The G-100 RAM can be extended to 256 MB with data storage up to 1 GB.

Through the use of these enhanced configurations, EnFlex G-100 SCSs are presently being used in projects with three different third party device drivers managing up to 3000 data points.

Demand Response

Last month we described some of the distributed generation projects using EnFlex SCSs. This month we discuss some options for using EnFlex products to curtail existing building electrical loads to reduce rising demand charges or in response to the servicing electric utility implementing peak period demand reduction for electrical grid integrity.

Unfortunately, demand response almost always requires some level of inconvenience to the end user or building occupants. The key to successfully implementing a load curtailment program is to minimize the impact in any critical area and spread the inconvenience over as many building areas and controlled systems as may be practical. By doing so the direct impact on any individual or working group is minimized while still meeting demand reduction targets. The most cost effective method for demand reduction is through the use of the existing facility control infrastructure to shed ancillary loads and set-back operating setpoints. The EnFlex SCS software has a feature specifically designed for this purpose. The demand limiting object allows for the broadcasting of a global demand limiting signal that specifies a level of demand response from systems controlled by the SCS. This variable is typically linked to demand shedding controls that proportionately adjust setpoints and prioritize systems being controlled.

EnFlex is delivering products and services to customers involved in utility demand response programs in three states. A variety of mechanisms are being used to generate load curtailment. The most common application is the use of temperature setpoint setback/setup (winter/summer) with appropriate system lockouts to assures that curtailment goals are met and reduce occupant discomfort. This is easily implemented for AC units EMS control. Wireless systems make this control possible for building without and installed EMS.