For the first time in 10 years, the global clean-tech company WindowMaster this month launches 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, the new solution presents brand new, unmatched 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.
Several years of research and development have come to an end as WindowMaster this month officially reveals its new invention to the world. NV Embedded® is the next generation of indoor climate control solutions based on automated natural ventilation. In recent years, the company has been very active in terms of product development with no less than three new window actuators being released during the past year. However, it is the first time in 10 years that a new system hits the global market, and the excitement is hard to miss:
"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.
The solution is based on 28 years of experience and the company's proven technology with window automation, which have been implemented in projects world-wide. The new system is specifically designed to fit all building types, as the solution does not require any specific fieldbus technology, but can use both BACnet, Modbus, and KNX depending on the preferred level of BMS integration. As a result, the new NV Embedded® 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, windspeed- 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.
The next generation of indoor climate control - IoT and smart buildings
The number of smart components and systems installed in buildings is growing at a rapid pace and the trend is expected to accelerate in the years to come. Hence, to reduce complexity for the building owners and facility managers, it is key to connect and exchange data between components to ensure that the building is functioning as designed.
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 (Internet of Things) 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 micro environment and the facility staff can monitor and control the HVAC of the entire building. And by permitting the building's operational systems to deliver more accurate and useful information, operations can be improved resulting in the best experiences for the occupants.
By embracing modern technologies, the solution is advancing a new breed of smart buildings that are better aligned with the priorities of all stakeholders.
An adaptable solution tailored to the future
As more and more HVAC products reach the market Engineers, Architects, Contractors, and Façade builders have more systems to keep track of; something that may lead to information overload and increase the risk of errors.
WindowMaster has addressed this issue by creating the first all-in-one solution where the MotorController and comfort ventilation functions run on the same device. Furthermore, the multi-level BMS integration allows the company to potentially reach new heights by entering into new partnerships:
"For WindowMaster to grow in the market, we needed to look into the future and identify the unfulfilled potential of intelligent building automation. With the flexible levels of BMS integration and the fact that the system doesn't require any specific fieldbus technology, the launch of NV Embedded® opens a door to an exciting new cooperation with BMS companies", Erik Boyter, WindowMaster's CEO, states.
What further makes the new system relevant for future building projects, is its ability to drastically reduce building energy consumption and thereby minimize the CO2 level compared to buildings using traditional mechanical ventilation. The endeavour to lower energy consumption in buildings is an upward trend, which is also reflected in the window automation business. The use of automated natural ventilation as a sustainable means to ventilate buildings is growing globally. This is something WindowMaster has experienced in the past 28 years, since the company started out as one of the first to develop and supply indoor climate systems using natural ventilation.
The new 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 system based on input from the markets and can be easily integrated into the existing NV EmbeddedÒ solution via simple software updates.
The first beta projects have been running successfully for a year and the first customer shipments are slated for Q4 2018.