Prince Nayef Center for Dialysis to implement ABB KNX technology

Lighting control system based on ABB's KNX technology to cut energy usage for Saudi Arabia's largest dedicated medical center for kidney treatment

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 10, 2011 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has signed an agreement with the Prince Nayef Center for Dialysis to supply a lighting control system that aims to improve patient care while significantly reducing energy consumption.

A medical facility dedicated to the treatment of kidney-related disease, the three-storey Prince Nayef Center for Dialysis will be the primary provider of medical care for kidney patients across the Kingdom. Construction began on the Prince Nayef Center for Dialysis in 2008; once completed the center will treat more than 70,000 patients every year.

ABB's KNX-based technology will allow the facility's management to control lighting throughout the eight-storey building. Individual functions include automatic lighting control, timer control, and a host of custom light scenes such. ABB's lighting control system will provide the medical facility with controllers for maintaining constant lighting levels through a combination of natural and artificial light as well as motion and presence sensors for the automatic control of lighting and other consumer loads according to need, both indoors and externally.

The KNX lighting control system is to be implemented by ABB partner Nassli. The main contractor for the project is Azmeel Construction. The contract will also include the supply of contactless interactive screens to control lighting in any part of the building.

"ABB's solutions will allow the Prince Nayef Center for Dialysis to enjoy significant energy savings. In addition, the constant lighting levels can benefit patients' health and intuitive light controls can help staff deliver quality of care," said Ali Nazzal, senior sales and operation manager for Smart Home and Intelligent Building Controls for ABB Saudi Arabia.

"We are constantly looking and reviewing technologies that will have a positive effect on patient treatment," said Eng. Fathi Abdullah from Khateib & Alami consultant office in Prince Nayef Center for Dialysis. Studies show that proper lighting is important in patient room design. Research also suggests that a patient's mood and perceptions can be affected by the degree of control they have over their environment, including lighting. ABB's KNX solution allows us to both reduce energy usage as well as provide a healthier environment for our patients."

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 124,000 people.

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For more information please contact:
Media Relations:
Alex Malouf
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Tel: +966 56 988 4741
alex.malouf@sa.abb.com