Energy saving tech for Benmore Gardens

Time switches can be applied, as well as motion sensors so lights can be regulated to turn on when movement is detected.

Rather than waiting for impending legislation that is set to compel companies to implement such electricity saving measures, Benmore Gardens has chosen to be pro-active in its commitment towards the well-being of the community and the environment in which it operates.

Trevor Matthews, portfolio manager for owners Fountainhead Property Trust, said the implementation of this ground-breaking system coincided with the centre's recent R200-million refurbishment.

“With the pending amendments to the legislation and the recent Eskom tariff increases, we decided that we needed to find a sophisticated and efficient way of limiting our electricity usage. We have to effect savings in electricity consumption and encourage and measure those savings on behalf of the tenants,” he said, emphasizing that the decision was mostly motivated by concerns for the environment but also by possible legislative penalties.

Energy efficiency

With I-Energy (Intelligent Energy), the main aim is to help electricity users to manage their consumption, particularly during peak periods. This ensures cost savings for both the electricity client and the supplying utility, and reduces pollution.

Measures to ensure environmental benefits are becoming increasingly important. In recent years, energy efficiency has significantly gained in stature, and has become recognized as one of the most cost-effective ways of meeting the demands of sustainable development.

The I-Energy wireless and integrated energy efficient management solution is a product developed by CSI Technology PTY (Ltd), a South African company. 80% of the components of the system are made in South Africa.

In developing this system, CSI Technologies aligned itself with a German wireless technology provider, ScatterWeb GmbH and with Anhalt Computer GmbH, a German IT Company. Anhalt Computer GmbH has since seconded one of its experts to CSI's South African office, resulting in the transfer of essential knowledge and skills.

The primary focus of I-Energy is its integrated information management system. This solution is locally developed, and mainly aimed at contributing towards overcoming our country's energy crisis.

Monitoring

I-Energy is built on a wireless network platform, which offers features such as real-time and historical energy monitoring and management. It allows Benmore Gardens Management to view the electricity consumption - online - on an interactive website. The website will provide Management with access to other information as well, and the means to control certain appliances.

Moreover, the intelligent network will notify Management of any outage caused by vandalism, human interference or acts of nature. It will also pick up any illegal connections and alert Management accordingly.

In the future, the I-Energy solution could be scaled to provide online data such as temperature, humidity or signals from glass moving and vibration detectors.

According to Benmore Gardens centre manager, Sandy Turner, “The investment in our recent refurbishment makes perfect sense when we know customers will be entering a mall designed to not only be pleasing to the eye but also convenient, secure, effective and now with the I-energy system, energy efficient and environmentally friendly as well.”