First European home control summit of the Z-Wave Alliance reflects high market momentum in energy conservation

Article Type: News From: Sensor Review, Volume 28, Issue 4

Home control and automation is rapidly emerging in Europe. According to the latest studies of renowned market analyst and consultant Parks Associates,demand for home control solutions such as lighting control, heating control, and remote home monitoring has already reached a similar level in Europe as in the USA. Owing to more products from market leaders becoming available, a rapid market growth of more than 100 per cent is predicted over the next 12 months. This trend is further fueled by the large number and growth of home networks overall. According to market analysts and experts, Z-Wave is the most successful wireless mesh networking technology in the home control market.

The European Home Control Summit organized by the Z-Wave Alliance and was held 8-9 April 2008 in Frankfurt/Main in parallel with Light + Building, the largest global trade show of its kind. Exhibitors included the following Z-Wave Alliance members: Asphalis, Bulogics Danfoss, Data Respons, Düwi,Electronic Housekeeper, Electronic Solutions, Fakro, Hawking Technologies,Forrest, Horstmann, Innovus, Intermatic, Lagotek, Maintronic, Merten, MEV,NorthQ, Popp, Schwaiger, Seluxit, Trickle Star, and Wayne-Dalton.

Home control is helping to turn the world “green”

Also presenting at the Home Control Summit was the Danish Energy Savings Trust (DEST), an independent subsidiary to the newly established Energy &Climate Ministry in Denmark that is publicly recommending Z-Wave after conducting intensive in-house research. For example, heating cost can be reduced by up to 30 per cent through the use of Z-Wave-enabled radiator heating thermostats. This translates into savings of up to €500 per year for an average size household.

Modstroem, an exciting new Danish utility company, is introducing an innovative solution to reduce energy costs and CO₂ output. In combination with Z-Wave based tools for the display of energy use, Modstroem enables its customers to reduce their energy consumption. Just one single average household using 4,000 KWh can save the environment two tons of CO₂per year due to the Modstroem offering.

Horstmann Controls, one of the leading manufacturers of heating controls and metering systems, demonstrated Z-Wave-enabled thermostats, electricity meters,and displays at the Summit. After successfully conquering the home control market and building up an impressive ecosystem of products, Z-Wave is now entering the utility market with equal strength.

About Z-Wave

Z-Wave® is the first technology to bring affordable, reliable and easy-to-use wireless control to every aspect of daily life – the home,consumer electronics, healthcare, and energy use, to name a few. Z-Wave is an award-winning, proven and interoperable wireless mesh networking technology that allows a wide array of devices in and around the home to communicate including lighting, appliances, HVAC, entertainment centers, and security systems. Z-Wave brings many benefits to everyday life including remote home monitoring, home healthcare, safety and security, and energy conservation. Z-Wave certified products are currently available from leading consumer brands in more than 300 products. Z-Wave is the recipient of the 2006 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award in the wireless category, the CNET “Best of CES Award”in the enabling technologies category, along with PC World’s 2006 World Class Award, which recognizes the 100 best technologies and products of the year. For more information about Z-Wave please visit www.z-wave.com

Z-Wave® is a registered trade mark of Zensys, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the USA and other countries. www.zen-sys.com