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and RPCs ( room controllers ), which facilitate the monitoring and adjustment of HVAC equipment . These are all programmable modules that can be added to the basic RPC platform .
The software component , EBO , serves as the central platform for managing and optimising HVAC operations . Buys outlines the features of EBO as including licensing options , workstation architecture , and server infrastructure . “ The system provides realtime monitoring , alarm and exception handling , reporting , and trend analysis , enabling clients to achieve energy efficiency and performance optimisation .” Sensors and controls are of course key to achieving energy efficiency through continuously monitoring environmental conditions and adjusting HVAC equipment accordingly , Schneider Electric ’ s solutions minimise energy waste and enhance operational efficiency . Buys highlights the ability of their systems to implement adaptive control strategies , predictive maintenance , and occupancy-based optimisation to achieve energy efficiency goals , whether it be at a data centre , shopping centre or office building . This is the overarching purpose of having a control or BMS system , he notes .
Buys reinforces the necessity of collaboration with clients to tailor solutions to their specific requirements , especially in environments like data centres where stringent cooling requirements are paramount . “ EBO ensures precise control over temperature , humidity , and other environmental factors .”
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND SUPPORT The future of controls , says Buys , is to move beyond mere on-site operational capability , to include cloud-based artificial intelligence ( AI ) or machine learning , with paramount importance devoted to cybersecurity .
Schneider Electric ’ s EcoStruxure Building Advisor is a cloudbased platform that is the sister product to EBO . It leverages AI and machine learning for predictive analytics , fault detection , and adaptive control strategies . By infusing AI into HVAC control systems , Schneider Electric aims to enhance operational efficiency , optimise energy consumption , and proactively address maintenance needs . Buys notes that it is an evolving technology that has been installed at only a few key customers to date , but he anticipates a widespread deployment of such platforms over the next five years into building management practices and empowering informed decisionmaking . “ Integrating the Internet of Things into our offering is increasingly becoming a requirement from our clients .”
GLOBAL HVAC SENSOR MARKET TO GROW AT CAGR OF 5.9 % TO 2028 , SAYS RESEARCHER TECHNAVIO The HVAC sensors market is on the rise , with an estimated growth at a CAGR of 5.9 % between 2023 and 2028 . This surge can be attributed to advancements in temperature sensing technology . Inorganic factors , such as energy efficiency regulations and the booming construction industry , have fuelled this expansion .
Smart HVAC systems , which leverage sensors for temperature control , energy optimisation , and indoor air quality , are driving this growth . Additionally , the integration of Internet of Things ( IoT ) technology allows remote monitoring and automated adjustments , enhancing overall efficiency and comfort . Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are poised to revolutionize the industry ,
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RACA Journal I August 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za