Reducing energy consumption by 30% with flexible building automation

ABB i-bus KNX devices allow easy integration into existing system

Achieving energy-efficient operation was a key objective for Technische Betriebe Glarus Nord (TBGN), a public utility company, when adding another story to its office complex in the Swiss town of Glarus.

KNX devices from ABB provide energy-saving and convenient building automation in the heating and cooling system as well as for ventilation and lighting. This enabled TBGN to reduce the annual electricity consumption for the extension by 30%, and compliance with the European Building Automation and Energy Efficiency Standard, EN 15232.

As a public utility company, TBGN is required to explore energy savings as much as possible. Adding another story to its office building presented the perfect opportunity to do this. This project was undertaken in 2014 and Soltris Gebäudesystemtechnik GmbH was responsible for planning the building system technology, selecting the necessary devices as well as the installation and programming. For the ventilation control, heating and cooling systems in particular, the system integrator decided on KNX solutions from ABB.

Light, air and climate for every need
The planning of the building automation encompassed the areas of heating and cooling, lighting and shutters as well as ventilation of the rooms. Sensors in the ventilation ducts record the current air quality and based on these readings, the fan actuators ensure a consistently high quality of room air. Lights with integrated presence detectors determine whether people are present in the room and regulate the light accordingly, as well as the heating and cooling in combination with a room thermostat. Sensors detect when a window is opened and signal the room thermostat to shut down the heating.

Technische Betriebe Glarus Nord is relying on the following devices from ABB for the energy efficient operation of its new office building:

− ABB i-bus KNX/DALI Gateway
− SIDUS-RTR room thermostats
− Light sensors for light controllers to ensure constant control of light levels
− VAA valve drive actuator
− SMISSLINE pluggable system.

Certified efficiency
TBGN was faced with the challenge of creating an energy efficient, yet still convenient solution for the everyday operation of its employees' work environment  while complying with the requirements of the Minergie standard, a Swiss construction standard.

Not only do the KNX devices from ABB fit seamlessly into the planned systems for lighting and temperature control, but TBGN is setting an example of energy efficiency as a public utility provide


“ABB offers an incredibly wide product range. The primary advantage of the KNX devices is their flexibility. As they are compatible with other devices, we can integrate them into the new system entirely in line with our technical requirements,” says Franco A. Bonutto, Managing Director of Soltris Gebäudesystemtechnik GmbH

“As part of the office extension, it was important to us that we create a working environment in which our employees feel comfortable and which utilizes a minimal amount of energy. Thanks to systems for the constant control of light levels as well as presence and needs-based ventilation, we have been able to reduce our energy costs in the new building by around 30%,” says Tony Bürge, Managing Director of Technische Betriebe Glarus Nord

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