 Wireless Research
Two
projects
under way at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for the U.S.
Department of Energy Office of Building Technology Programs aim to adapt, test
and demonstrate wireless sensors and data acquisition for heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) in commercial buildings. One
project focuses on built-up systems in medium to large buildings; the
second focuses on applications for rooftop units in small- to medium-size
facilities.
Beyond mobility, which is the driver for many
wireless applications, the key promise of wireless technology in building
operation is to reduce the cost of installing data acquisition and control
systems by eliminating the wires. Installation of wiring can represent 20%
to 80% of the cost of a sensor point in an HVAC system. The availability
of low-cost wireless sensor systems could not only reduce sensor costs
overall, but also lead to increased use of sensors. While not the only
answer, deploying more sensors is a key factor in achieving the improved
monitoring and control necessary to establish and maintain highly
efficient and effective building operations.
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