Description
The project aims at is optimizing the energy performance of buildings of various types and connecting them to a common energy management centre. Raytex Engineering Ltd. in partnership with the Norwegian company Tiny Mesh AS will focus on the development of flexible and cost attractive technologies for the Bulgarian market, possibly also with the view of establishing of a business for local production of components. The practical project implementation is divided into two phases: 1. Phase A: Research and Development of prototypes for the Energy Management System (EMS) for five pilot buildings, incl. training and know-how transfer; 2. Phase B: investment in equipment for establishment of conditions for manufacturing. This project focuses on green industrial production opportunities for enterprises and on pilot installation of equipment and business development.
Summary of project results
As the scope of the project was narrowed, it aimed at the development and physical installation of Energy Management Systems (EMS) prototypes in five buildings based on pre-pilot test installation analysis, composition of technical requirements, re-design of devices and compile of the EMS system. The following outputs were achieved: 1). A new innovative product was developed, representing Electronic information platform for power, status and risk monitoring of various electronic systems and objects – EMS, HVAC, Lighting Systems, Security Systems, Building Automation and others in different independent objects. The integrated controller is a smart, high-tech hardware device, assembled from several modules. It is equipped with a set of software-configurable ports, working as a different type of analog or digital inputs and outputs. 2). 5 sets of experimental models for testing under real conditions were developed and actually tested in 5 different buildings. The Project Promoter and its Norwegian partner have focused their efforts only on the R&D component. However, the hardware equipment and universal software platform that have been developed have proved to be extremely flexible and functional, allowing coverage of a number of different applications. At the same time for the development of the hardware it was used the most modern and advanced technologies and components with a high degree of integration and the resulting product was quite compact and with very low production cost. Because of its features (compactness, high level of integration and simplified construction) the product will be produced by an existing production company.
Summary of bilateral results
The contribution from the Norwegian partner, Tiny Mesh AS, was mainly related to consultation and training on practical and engineering aspects of the construction and operation of the EMS. The Project Promoter and its Norwegian partner have focused their efforts only on the R&D component. They agreed not to proceed with the investment in a plant at this stage, because it turned to be quite an expensive initiative, requiring substantial additional financial resources. In addition, such a large investment would have a longer pay back period.