Flexible automation instead of costly renovations
Issue 02-2018:
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The new SkyPort office and administrative building of Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH (FSG) showcases a future-oriented office complex. At the airport authority’s new headquarters, an interdisciplinary solution maximizes flexibility when it comes to room automation.
The SkyPort open-plan office building encompasses 13,700 m2 of space and provides a workplace for approximately 320 people. The new company headquarters is also Gold-certified according to the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) and as a result reflects FSG’s sustainability concept.
Guiding the SkyPort building automation project: Peter Schlang, Matthias Kolb and Thomas Kirschbaum (left to right) of the Stuttgart Airport Authority.
New approaches to building automation
However, it is not only modern architecture and sustainability that make the SkyPort stand out but also its building automation technology. It is the first building in which FSG’s office communication functions are fully integrated into its measurement, control and regulation systems.
In a comparison between three room automation systems, flexROOM from WAGO, combined with EnOcean, made the cut. The WAGO system’s easy, convenient configuration and high communication capability were plus points in the airport authority’s view. EnOcean scored points because its operating devices could be mounted anywhere wirelessly and required no maintenance.
Flexibility with flexROOM
flexROOM is a variable building automation concept, which permits smooth coordination between lighting, shading and individual room control. It is based on the spatial axes of a building and divides the automation functions into zones. All necessary functions are already preprogrammed in the associated software application.
FSG’s works employees therefore no longer have to do any complex programming work to redistribute the office space. They can now easily make new settings via a web-based user interface that can be accessed from nearly any terminal device. For example, if they need to remove a wall or put a new one in place, they can reassign the EnOcean operating units at the click of the mouse.
The Peter Nägele GmbH Elektrotechnik company was hired to install the building technology. Several flexROOM units are installed in sub-distribution boxes in utility rooms on each floor. The lights as well as the presence sensors and brightness detectors are controlled via DALI. The operating units are controlled via the IT network, using Ethernet TCP/IP. The EnOcean wireless systems integrated into the distribution boxes wirelessly connect the self-powered light and blind switches as well as the room operating units for the air-conditioners.
The WAGO application controller (750-884) was developed specifically for running flexROOM applications and forms the heart of the SkyPort building automation system.
Blinds that track the sun’s position
The blind controllers, which track the position of the sun, are particularly fascinating for the employees. The blinds in this office are lowered at sunrise and adjust gradually according to the programmed lighting configuration. The position of the louvers, and thus the level of brightness in the offices, adapts to the defined light intensity. This is possible because a flexROOM weather distribution box collects the most important weather data and makes it available to all room automation disciplines. For the best possible light conditions, the weather distribution box calculates the exact position of the sun and precisely adjusts the blind louvers.
The great depth of the SkyPort building technology is also an advantage when it comes to energy management, thus supporting FSG’s sustainability efforts. The automatic networking of heating, ventilation, lighting and blinds saves on air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Another example of ways to save energy is the motion-controlled lighting and ventilation technology in the rest rooms. The system gives FSG the highest degree of room automation flexibility.
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