August 2004 : Newsletter

Travel News

During the past few months, EnFlex employees have been actively traveling to meet with our customers to discuss requirements for technical support, installation streamlining, and sales assistance. Customers provided us with valuable feedback and suggestions regarding product pricing, existing device driver configuration and capabilities, new software and hardware capabilities, as well as new markets we can begin to serve with our reseller and system integrator customers.

Development and testing of new technology applications and products continues to be a priority at EnFlex. In this month’s newsletter we will preview the release of EnFlex’s new low cost wireless products.

Brian Leland announced that he is returning to GE, his previous employer, with a significant promotion. We would like to thank Brian for his exceptional work over the past two years and wish him continued success at GE.

Gerry and David

New Wireless System

EnFlex supports a number of wireless facility systems installed by customers in recent years. Recently, however, EnFlex has pursued an extension of its product line by developing a cost-effective option for a local wireless monitoring and control network. The simplified EnFlex wireless system (as yet to have a product name) includes a variety of devices that can be easily retrofitted to common facility monitoring and control applications such as metering, HVAC control, and lighting control.

EnFlex will offer a variety of devices that can be easily integrated to form a local wireless network. The devices are easily applied and installed by control specialists in a manner similar to installing hardwired components. As with other EnFlex products, EnFlex wireless products fully integrate with the existing capabilities of EnFlex applications.

• Wireless sensors and transducers – EnFlex has deployed wireless sensors and transducers that provide relay switching, temperature sensing, analog input/current measurement, digital input sensing, and pulse counter accumulation. Some devices perform multiple functions. All are performing well in their applications.
• Wireless Base Station –The wireless base station requires no special configuration and is installed by plugging it into one of the two serial ports on the G-100 Control Server. As with other hardware, a wireless driver is installed and configured on the G-100. Future versions of the driver will be able to detect new devices and query devices to determine their properties/application.
• Repeaters – In order to keep power levels low and provide application flexibility, simple repeater stations can be installed to increase wireless coverage within a facility while still using a single base station and G-100.

In cooperation with an EnFlex partner, EnFlex has installed the initial beta test for the devices in various applications at three sites. We expect that the new wireless products will be generally available in the fourth quarter. EnFlex will continue to support wireless Ethernet applications, wireless Modbus, and other technologies for its customers.

Utility Demand Response/Direct Load Control

EnFlex has joined with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), as well as other partners, in a commercial facility demand response demonstration project. This project is designed to show the potential for using intelligent direct load control to deliver a predictable, on-demand reduction in multiple small commercial facilities. EnFlex modified and integrated a number of its products including the G-100 Control Server, EnFlex eWebConnect enterprise software, drivers for existing building control systems, custom control objects, and wireless network technologies.

The project provides for control of various types of air conditioning units, heat pumps, and lighting. A flexible control scheme, tailored to each facility, allows users to establish load priorities and implement local overrides in order to minimize occupant discomfort and still achieve load shed goals. Each installed site has an enhanced data acquisition system to monitor project performance.