Digi International (News 
- Alert) announced that Efficient Energy America, Inc., known as E2America, will be using its iDigi Device Cloud, ConnectPort X4 gateways and XBee ZB ZigBee modules to wirelessly enable the E2 intelligent commercial building control system.
E2America’s Smart Grid efficiency technology has been installed in restaurant chains and other commercial buildings in the U.S. They help reduce energy consumption and demand by optimizing HVAC efficiency, resulting in annual savings to the tune of $7,000-$8,000 per site.
In a release, Dara O’Neill, CEO of E2America, said, “We chose the Digi ConnectPort X4 gateway and iDigi Device Cloud as part of our solution to allow us to integrate additional applications in the future.”
“iDigi simplifies system integration, deployment and management. Incorporating Digi’s ConnectPort X4 cellular gateways and ZigBee radios into our proprietary hardware allows for simple, low-cost installation and enables connectivity and intelligence. Because the system is connected in real-time, we are able to include multiple external factors such as humidity, radiant heat, external temperature and others to keep a building at the most suitable thermal comfort levels with the greatest efficiency,” O’Neill added.
HVAC systems consume about 50 percent of the total energy used in a building. E2America installs its control interfaces on HVAC units, and proprietary temperature, humidity and occupancy sensors in various locations in a building. These devices are connected via XBee ZB modules to the ConnectPort X4 cellular gateway.
Company officials added that a local application in the gateway determines ways to use the minimum amount of energy besides ensuring the comfort of occupants. The metrics fed from the gateway to the iDigi Device Cloud over cellular networks enables E2America to monitor and control the system via a Web-based user interface.
“Our fully automated, wireless system delivers cash-positive results from day one and ROI within 24 months. Digi has been a great company to work with during our development of this system. It has a deep understanding of the wireless controls market, and has provided valuable insight and support on adding our superior building logic to their devices,” added O’Neill.
In related news, Digi International launched two AnywhereUSB products in 2009, the AnywhereUSB TS and AnywhereUSB/2. The AnywhereUSB is a combined USB and serial over IP hub. It combines Digi’s patented Realport USB-over-IP and Realport Serial-over-IP technology in one product.
Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
