Pacific Controls launches software New software helps homes control energy use

Thursday, Mar 26, 2009

Gulf News

Dubai: Home owners will now be able to control the amount of energy they use in their homes via a new software dreamt up by global automation solutions provider, Pacific Controls.

With Earth Hour fast approaching on March 28 and 2,712 cities already signed up, Pacific Controls is trying to make people conscious about preserving energy every day of the year.

Pacific Controls has built the first platinum LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System developed by the US Green Building Council - building in the Middle East and the 16th in the world.

The entire building therefore is totally energy efficient, with photo voltaic panels on the roof providing around 50 kilowatts of electricity.

This building has a command control centre which collects energy data from the building so the user can understand where energy needs to be saved.

"If you can manage your utility usage, and reduce the load on the grid, then you can reduce carbon dioxide and other gases.

"We're trying to reduce carbon dioxide and trying to reduce the pain in your pocket.

"This recessionary period focuses on where the costs actually are," David Rowden, marketing manager for Pacific Controls said.

The software can be used in corporate buildings or in private residences and will provide the resident with updates on the energy usage, including for water, electricity, lighting, security and carbon emissions.

These updates can then be routed to devices such as an i-Pod or BlackBerry.

"In a villa, if you want to pay less than Dh5,000 per month for utilities, you can see the usage levels and adjust the levels in certain areas," Saneesh Kumar, team leader of software development said.

While no exact cost to install the software in homes has been finalised, Nigel McKenzie, chief technology officer said it would be around Dh5,000.