Global clean-tech company, WindowMaster, launched a new, state-of-the-art solution that sets the stage for the future of indoor climate control. With focus on IoT (Internet of Things), BMS adaptability, and flexible fieldbus communication, NV Embedded® presents features that will alleviate the obstacles that previously prevented building owners, architects, engineers, and façade builders to opt for automated natural ventilation as a more environmentally and economically friendly alternative to mechanical ventilation in buildings.
NV Embedded is a customizable indoor climate control solution based on automated natural ventilation. It is designed to integrate into new and existing buildings and can operate as a standalone system or integrate into the existing BMS. NV Embedded not only collects and monitors building data, it also controls the indoor climate directly. As an intelligent indoor climate control solution, the system uses sensors to collect and monitor data through Internet of Things connectivity. Intelligent software automatically controls the indoor climate based on data input on temperature, CO2, and humidity in each room as well as wind, rain, and outdoor temperature input from a weather station. The setpoints are determined based on what is applicable for the specific building, and hereafter the system automatically controls the indoor climate.
“It has been an exciting journey the past couple of years, and I am pleased to finally see the new solution reach the market. I truly think that NV Embedded is designed with the future in mind, as it ticks all the boxes in terms of technology, installation, sustainability, flexibility, and usage”, says Nicolaj Rasmussen Shabtai, Chief Product Officer at WindowMaster.
Specifically designed to fit all building types, NV Embedded does not require any specific fieldbus technology, but can use BACnet, Modbus, and KNX depending on the preferred level of BMS integration. As a result, it is both flexible and scalable. Furthermore, NV Embedded benefits from an advanced cloud solution allowing building administrators to access real-time- or historical building data regardless of time and place.
What further separates NV Embedded from existing solutions on the market is the relocation of the software that enables the system to automatically control the indoor climate through for example motorized windows, sun shading, heating/cooling, and mechanically assisted mixed-mode ventilation based on input from sensors that monitor CO2 level, indoor and outdoor temperature, wind speed and buoyancy, and humidity. Previously, the intelligent software was placed in an assigned PC or control panel that communicated with the MotorControllers, which in turn controlled the window actuators opening and closing the windows. What WindowMaster has essentially done, is to embed the intelligence in their MotorControllers. Accordingly, no additional control unit is necessary, and users can access information about the system and the indoor climate or change settings from any device or via a brand-new app.
Smart building technology utilizing cloud-based solutions facilitates real-time data visibility as well as advanced analytics, which is useful for continuous monitoring, remote controlling of systems, predictive analytics, and data-driven decisions.
NV Embedded is built on the notion that IoT provides value to all parties related to the building from the owner and operator to the end-user. By storing data in the cloud or BMS and by enabling control via an app, users can directly change their microenvironment and the facility staff can monitor and control the HVAC of the entire building. And by permitting operational systems to deliver more accurate and useful information, operations can be improved resulting in the best experiences for the occupants.
What further makes the new system relevant for future building projects is its ability to reduce building energy consumption and thereby minimize the CO2 level compared to buildings using traditional mechanical ventilation.
The NV Embedded solution for indoor climate control will consist of a number of MotorControllers and appertaining USB keys, which contain an NV license to activate the required number of ventilation zones, as well as sensors, weather stations, and window actuators. It is a complete and scalable package that has been designed for simple installation.
New features will continuously be added to the indoor climate control system based on input from the markets and can be easily integrated into the existing NV Embedded solution via software updates.
