Ingenious lighting solutions are set to give supermarkets, co-ops and convenience stores ultimate control over every aspect of their lighting output, helping to save on energy bills, reduce CO2 emissions and showcase their products in the best possible light. EyeNut, from Harvard Engineering, will enable the managers of these outlets to have unsurpassed control of their lighting levels everywhere, from front of house accent lighting to back of house energy saving levels.
The control of lighting offers huge potential for significant energy savings. Of all the controllable lighting sold in Europe today 75% is not being controlled. Lighting is also the highest single contributor to commercial electricity consumption in the UK, accounting for 41% of all electricity used. As businesses endeavour to prove their green credentials to both their customers, who are becoming increasingly aware of the energy situation, and the government as it imposes stricter controls on carbon emissions any potential opportunities to save must be seized, and many are turning to innovative controls.
Introducing EyeNut
EyeNut is the revolutionary lighting control system offering supermarket, co-op and convenience store managers with the ability to control and monitor their lighting output across a store, or multiple stores, all from a single hub. This control ensures an optimum lighting result is constantly achieved, whilst at the same time realising substantial reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. EyeNut is an innovative lighting control and monitoring system that offers significant savings and unequalled control over every detail of a store’s lighting.
Ambient and accent lighting can be used to great effect to make customers feel welcome and to highlight certain products on the shop floor. Both of these lighting functions can be controlled independently through the same system, as can the lighting in the front and back of house. Lighting in the aisles can be dimmed and optimised in different zones according to use and the time of day. All of these functions are easy to control through the adaptable and user-friendly intuitive Graphic User Interface (GUI).
Difficulties previously experienced in retrofitting early generation lighting control systems, such as DALI and Analogue 1-10V, into existing sites have been addressed. EyeNut offers considerable savings by eliminating the need for specialist programming expertise, both at the installation and later re-commissioning stages. It also offers control of 500 light points from one wireless gateway compared to DALI’s 64. This advanced technology is able to handle more diverse and complex lighting situations, such as a multi-function building with a number of zones that have differing lighting requirements at different times of the day and night.
As the system is wireless it can easily be installed into a new build or retrofitted into existing premises without the need for expensive and disruptive rewiring work. With its RFID functionality the commissioning process is fast and simple, enabling engineers to scan in each luminaire individually, not only reducing the time spent on this task during installation but also increasing the flexibility of the system when operational. All these benefits combine to ensure an adaptable and user-managed solution capable of monitoring and controlling a wide range of complex lighting situations.
Add Controllability to Lighting Retrofits
The EyeNut system is designed to overcome the challenges faced by the early generation lighting control systems, which were difficult to commission. EyeNut does not require specialist DALI engineers to configure the system – a benefit that can offer significant savings in consultancy fees as specialist engineers can command daily fees of between £600 and £1,000. It also addresses the problems associated with monitoring performance and re-commissioning inherent in the early generation systems. And by using the open protocol ZigBee mesh network, there is an inbuilt robust protection against communication breakdown between two devices on the network.
Through its wireless networked control system, software user interface and data monitoring and analysis capabilities EyeNut offers an intelligent alternative to the earlier systems. This makes it easy to incorporate into designs for any new build and also an affordable and practical option for retrofitting into existing premises; an important consideration as it is estimated that of all the buildings that will exist in the UK in 2050 80% of them are already here.
Adaptable lighting for optimum results
Customers must feel comfortable and welcome to fully enjoy the shopping experience; whether they are shopping for groceries, browsing the clothes’ aisles or deciding which electrical appliance will best suit their needs. Engineering the most pleasant atmosphere through detailed control of the lighting is one of the surest ways of making a customer feel at ease.
Ambient lighting can be used to give an even overall level of light, making a room agreeable. It can also improve a customer’s sense of well-being and orientation. The correct use of accent lighting can successfully pinpoint certain goods; helping customers find the products they may be seeking or highlight other items that may interest them, such as special offers. Both types of lighting, ambient and accent, can be controlled independently through the same EyeNut system.
As important as front of house lighting is for creating the most favourable atmosphere for customers the back of house lighting is equally important for the store’s successful operation. Employees require well lit working areas when they are being utilised. However not all areas need 100% brightness at all times and so it is at this juncture that the ingenious EyeNut system excels.
By gathering detailed data on the use of the lights, either individual lamps or groups of luminaries, EyeNut can create a sophisticated energy ‘heat map’ of the building. This comprehensive overview of the energy consumption can be used by site managers to optimise the lighting output and control the light intensity by room, zone or building, as well as time of day or night. This not only ensures there is the correct lighting for each area depending on the specific requirement at that time but also helps to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. And all this monitoring and control capability, front and back of house, can be controlled on the same system.
Multi-site and multiple building control capabilities
EyeNut technology has combined recent developments in wireless networked control systems with the latest innovations in the software user interface. This has produced a system that can offer unrivalled monitoring and analysis capabilities. It has also opened up the exciting possibility of multi-site or multiple building control from a single hub; ideal for managers of chains of supermarkets and convenience stores operating over a number of sites. The ability to remotely monitor and then determine the energy output of lighting gives managers a level of control, until now, unimaginable.
Lighting systems are becoming more complex in nature and more diverse and powerful in function. These advances in the technology would be wasted if the end user were unable to control the system in day-to-day operations. To ensure system success the user interface has to bring together the sophistication of the system itself and be practical to use.
The EyeNut’s intuitive Graphic User Interface (GUI) has a wide range of features that allow managers to monitor energy usage, on a daily or more frequent basis, and gather data for analysis to inform energy efficiency strategies for longer-term planning into the future. Managers can gather information on energy consumption, lighting performance, dimming status of individual lamps as well as their potential failure through the GUI. The ease of use is instrumental in the overall success of the system. It is essential that managers can access energy consumption data and then have the detailed control capabilities to select the most energy efficient and optimum lighting conditions for their site.
Energy savings
EyeNut offers users the ability to reduce their energy bills and cut their CO2 emissions, at the same time as creating a welcoming shopping atmosphere. This can all be achieved without disruption to business operations thanks to its simple commissioning and wireless technology.
Daylight harvesting and light dimming are just two of the indoor lighting strategies that can be used effectively in supermarkets and other grocery stores. Daylight harvesting utilises the information gathered by photocell sensors built into the system, which measure the strength of daylight available at any given time. The system can then vary the light intensity of the electric lights to maintain the correct strength of light using the minimum amount of energy.
With the detailed controllability of individual lamps or groups of luminaires managers can dim lights, such as in aisles in certain areas or throughout the store at different times of the day, as part of a wider energy efficiency strategy. Such a strategy may also include time scheduling, using programmed lighting by zone or room; load shedding, reducing lighting loads at expensive peak times; and scene setting, which creates lighting to suit activity.
EyeNut can help businesses save on energy bills, cut carbon emissions and have detailed control over all the lighting in a building or across multiple buildings; all at the touch of a button. It is an invaluable tool in the energy efficiency arsenal and offers the perfect monitoring and control solution for complex situations, throughout a multi-use building and across multiple sites. It can give a detailed overview of a site’s energy usage and then the power to control it.
Harvard Engineering employs some of the most knowledgeable and experienced design engineers in the lighting industry. The company is a world leader in the design and development of control products and supplies some of the most innovative and efficient products for commercial, retail, emergency and street lighting applications. It has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise within the Innovation category in 2011, he Judges’ Choice Award at the Financial Mail’s Made in Britain Awards and the Manufacturer of the Year in the Lux Magazine Awards in 2012.
Harvard Engineering PLC
Tel: 0113 383 1000
Email: eyenut@HarvardEng.com
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