What would Mr. Edison say?

An Industry Insight feature with Millennial Net

Intelligent wireless sensors, united in a smarter infrastructure, can help transform how we consume energy and reduce our carbon footprint.

“The tools exist today to utilize our energy more efficiently through a better understanding of usage and conservation measures”
-Mark O'Hearne, Millennial Net

In 1879 Edison made the first public demonstration of his incandescent light bulb, in Menlo Park. He said: “We will make electricity so cheap that only the rich will burn candles.” Indeed electricity became so cheap that, rich or not, we now take electricity for granted. Today, the concern is that our growing reliance on electricity is in danger of disrupting the economic, social and environmental equilibrium. A 21st century Edison might say, “We must make electricity so ‘green’ and cheap that only the rich will burn carbon.” Affordable, mainstream energy solutions are critical if such a 21st century assertion will ever be a reality.

Given today’s information and communication infrastructure, the time and cost to deploy consumer-side energy monitoring and control systems is making the 21st century vision possible. Wireless sensor network (WSN) technology has come of age, and is ready to make dramatically increase energy efficiency, reduce energy waste and optimize for peak-demand and other constraints. WSN is a natural extension of well-established and familiar line of information and related technologies, so accepted by consumers. It leverages and augments mainstream and familiar devices like thermostats and internet appliances, blending in unnoticed and readily adopted. Deployments of consumer-side energy monitoring and control systems can proceed in advance of and be congruent with the Smart Grid development. WSN offers immediate benefits through conservation and efficiency, while forming a basis for future expansion and integration with the Smart Grid.

Some systems utilizing wireless sensor networks open a whole new dimension by measuring, communicating and processing information. These new systems enable information to flow bi-directionally from sensors and controllers to data systems and energy management software. They can provide secure access at the office, home or mobile phone. Consumers are empowered to make smarter decisions and trade-offs on energy consumption and cost. 

Within WSN technology are various ways to optimize performance that fit the applications and environment. For example manufacturing, military, agriculture and medical can require different tradeoffs. The new Zigbee Pro standard, although still early in its deployment, much like Z-wave, appears to be positioned more for the home area network within AMI. Other WSNs target commercial and industrial applications. For example, Millennial Net’s wireless sensor network devices are well suited for retrofitting commercial and industrial buildings. 
Wireless networks can avoid the time, cost and complexity of hard-wiring. However, to retrofit existing buildings, devices and integrated systems should be designed for affordable, rapid deployment and robust operations in long-term use. Commercial and industrial applications especially need a reliable and scaleable WSN to adapt to different building configurations and unique building dynamics.

Highly responsive self-forming and self-healing networks can enable wireless sensors to be easily installed and put into service with minimal cost and disruption. To facilitate retrofits, devices work with legacy HVAC systems, lighting and appliances, enabling significant immediate energy savings without mandatory upgrades to legacy equipment.  Also key for retrofits is low-power operation, so devices can be powered from existing equipment or operate on battery for years, avoiding added costs.

Today, government and utility-driven policies and incentives should encourage and promote greater leverage of readily available and low cost WSN and internet communications, information technology and infrastructure. Such systems will empower consumers, businesses, policy makers and utilities to wisely invest in new infrastructure.  It will help consumers and utilities intelligently manage supply and demand, fostering energy conservation and revealing opportunities for continuous improvement. 

Edison’s carbon-filament light bulb replaced candles and gas lights with electric lights, while he built the infrastructure making electricity practical, safe and affordable. Now we need to follow Edison’s spirit of innovation and make better use of the available energy. The tools exist today to utilize our energy more efficiently through a better understanding of usage and conservation measures. But the tools must be used to be effective. To quote Edison, “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.” It is time for us to take up Edison’s call.

Mark O'Hearne leads business development and marketing, to commercialize and promote Millennial Net's wireless sensor network technologies and applications. He leverages more than 25 years of industrial and building automation, enterprise systems and supply chain management. Prior to Millennial Net he held marketing and business development positions at Brooks Automation, i2 Technologies, Andover Controls and Digital Equipment.