B.E.G. has made an example of how buildings can become more sustainable by turning its own headquarters in Germany into a showcase for energy efficiency.
German manufacturer B.E.G., located in Lindlar, has become a trailblazer for sustainable buildings thanks to the installation of a new server solution and state-of-the-art NetX building automation systems technology. The tech incorporates geothermal heat pump, ventilation, photovoltaic system, blinds, lighting, access and security areas to form a single automation system.
The geothermal system is controlled via ModBus, the photovoltaic system via BACNet. Air quality, air-conditioning, shading, the control of the gate system and accesses are controlled via KNX, the lighting control via the in-house DALISYS. In the high-bay warehouse, a wireless system called Casambi is also used due to its flexibility.
Different communication protocols and bus systems such as Modbus, BACnet, KNX, DALI and Casambi become a functional unit under NetX via one simple router. Heating, shading, excluding unused areas and increasing security all improve comfort.
B.E.G. employees have an individual access chip which opens and closes the access gate to the premises and activates the room’s air-conditioning when a building area is opened.
In the offices, super-flat sensors are used to control the lighting and provide increased comfort. This changes the light colour during the day and helps support the natural biorhythm of the employees. In the dark winter months, the Human Centric Lighting (HCL) function ensures a fresh start to the day.
Special HVAC wall sensors not only control temperature but humidity too, so fresh, oxygen-rich air is experienced in the office rooms. In the process, it measures the proportion of volatile organic components–VOCs–so adhesives and chemicals that are emitted from walls, floors and furniture which can lead to feelings of illness are removed.
A mixture of KNX, DALI and Casambi sensors are installed in the B.E.G. warehouse building. In the high-bay warehouse area, detectors with their excellent daylight-dependent regulation in combination with KNX sensors help to ensure that optimum lighting conditions are always available.
Paul Jones, sales director of UK and Ireland at B.E.G, believes that these types of systems are vital to the world in achieving its climate goals. The UK currently aims to reach Net Zero by 2050.
