Programmable Electrical Infrastructure Debuts at Greenbuild

By Consulting Specifying Engineer Staff November 21, 2006

Green building continues to grow—and at this year’s annual Greenbuild conference, held at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center from Nov. 14-17, manufacturers of M/E/P building systems planted in attendees’ minds an idea of just how vital a role they can play in the sustainability movement.

Zeeland, Mich.-based Convia, for example, debuted its signature product, Programmable Infrastructure, at the Greenbuild Expo. Programmable Infrastructure is a modular and programmable electrical infrastructure that delivers “plug-and-play” power anywhere within a commercial space without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches. Eliminating the constraints of traditional electrical systems, the system is intended to allow users to accomplish all of what they can with traditional wiring systems, but with installation costs that are at or below standard wiring, and life cycle costs that are a fraction of the cost of traditional electric.

“In today’s fast-paced marketplace, companies are constantly up- or downsizing,” said Randy Storch, president of Convia. “Renovating space can be a headache for all parties involved, from tenants and building owners to operators and contractors. With Convia, electrical reconfigurations that could take days or even weeks to complete with traditional hardwiring can be performed within minutes at no cost.”

Using infrared technology via a secure, remote control “wand” designed by Grimshaw Industrial Design, Convia offers programmable electricity and allows users to install, upgrade or relocate any electrical device (e.g. lighting fixtures, security cameras, electronic displays, thermostats, speakers, etc.), switch or sensor in moments. Using the wand, any off-the-shelf electrical or electronic devices that are plugged into the system connectors can be “programmed” and grouped with each other via a communication and control network, regardless of what electrical circuit they are connected to.

To personalize space, users simply “point and click” a two-button wand to change the power connection. In addition, the system delivers high-speed Ethernet capabilities to any IP appliance such as digital displays, VOIP or wireless hubs that receive power from the system.

The connection with Greenbuild, company officials argue, is that the system also may contribute points to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System by enabling more cost-effective adoption of efficient devices and components. In addition, Convia officials argue, the system eliminates landfill waste that often is created when buildings using traditional electric infrastructure are modified, because 100% of the system’s components are reusable. On average, the renovation of a 20,000-sq.-ft. space would yield waste of approximately 10,000 ft. of branch conduit, all associated fittings and supports, 600 backboxes for branch wiring, 40,000 ft. of branch circuit wire and 62,000 ft. of telephone and data wires.

For more about programmable electrical instructure from Convia, click here .