Smart heat management delivers significant savings on heating bills
Smart heat management delivers significant savings on heating bills
A research project from the Technical University of Copenhagen demonstrates how intelligent use of the heating systems in multi-apartment buildings can significantly improve the use of remote heating – without compromising comfort or budgets.
Most people are familiar with this scenario: the radiator is turned up fully during winter, yet some residents complain about being cold while others are too hot. Heat distribution is uneven, leading to unnecessarily high operating temperatures, heating bills, and energy waste.
However, according to a new research project from DTU, there is a far smarter way to utilise remote heating that benefits both the environment and finances. The project shows that heating systems, without requiring major investments, can be significantly optimised by leveraging the potential of IoT-based heat meters.
“Many people think that large, expensive renovations are needed to achieve low temperatures, but our study shows that significant improvements can be achieved simply by adjusting how heat is distributed,” explains Michele Tunzi, associate professor at DTU. He led the study, conducted in collaboration with Viborg Varme, BoligViborg, and Brunata, which provided wireless heat meters and IoT-based networks for data collection.
“Our research demonstrates that both the supply and return temperatures can be reduced significantly by optimising heat distribution. This results in major savings on heating bills and environmental impact. And it does not necessarily require investments in insulation or extensive renovations. We simply use the data collected from the building’s wireless consumption meters to manage the heat more intelligently,” Tunzi elaborates.
Learn more about Brunata’s IoT network, LoRaWAN, here
Evenly distributed heat is more efficient
The researchers conducted their experiments in several multi-apartment buildings in Viborg, where Brunata’s IoT-based heat meters were used to analyse how heat could be most effectively distributed within the properties.
The results showed that the supply temperature in the radiators could be reduced below 55 degrees Celsius for the majority of the heating season without affecting residents’ comfort.
By intelligently managing the building’s overall heating system, heat can be distributed more evenly, eliminating large temperature fluctuations from flat to flat.
Tripling the annual heating discount
“We conducted a study in standard apartment complexes in Viborg, Denmark. For an annual heating consumption of 314 MWh distributed across 30 flats, it was estimated that by achieving an average return temperature of 37°C, the tenants could receive an annual discount of approximately DKK 7,000 on their total heating bill,” explains Tunzi.
“But this discount could increase to approximately DKK 24,000 if the average annual return temperature is lowered to 32°C,” Tunzi continues. “This corresponds to a discount of DKK 800 per flat. Conversely, an average return temperature of 45°C would result in a penalty of DKK 14,400 for the tenants,” based on the current bonus and penalty included in Viborg Varme’s heating price structure.
Turning off radiators can be expensive
One surprising conclusion from the study is that the habit of turning off individual radiators during the winter months can prove costly.
“Turning off one radiator in one room forces the other radiators in that flat or in neighbouring flats to compensate for the missing heat to maintain the expected comfort. This results in inefficient and unfair heat distribution among flats,” says Tunzi.
This also means that the return temperature – sent back to the district heating networks – becomes too high, increasing heating costs and environmental impact.
Why turning off the radiator is expensive
Many people do not use all the radiators in their flats, turning them off in certain rooms. However, this forces the radiators in adjacent rooms or flats to work overtime to compensate for the cold from the unheated rooms. This drives up the heating bill – even for your neighbours.
Therefore, it is more economical for everyone to maintain consistent heating in all rooms and flats. In short, you need to turn on all the radiators to control your heating systems optimally and minimise your heating bills.
Green transition with intelligent heat distribution
Intelligent heat distribution not only benefits finances but is also a step towards a more sustainable future. By utilising smart technology and the wireless meters already installed in most properties, heating consumption can be optimised to ensure heat is used more efficiently. Brunata sees significant potential for its customers to leverage its technology to achieve substantial green savings.
“There is a bright future for low-temperature district heating, where both supply and return temperatures can be reduced without compromising comfort. This will deliver considerable financial and environmental savings,” says Jesper Holm Kristoffersen, chief executive officer of Brunata.
The greenest energy is the energy we do not use
“DTU’s research project shows that the future of district heating is not just about renewable energy sources – it is also about using heat smarter. By leveraging technology to improve heat distribution and optimise heating systems, we can significantly reduce energy consumption. And we can do this without making costly investments in new energy improvements,” Jesper Holm Kristoffersen concludes.
Do you want to know more?
Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions can help you optimize energy consumption and save on heating costs.
What happens to your indoor climate when the outdoor temperatures drop?
News
Wintertime is the peak season for indoor climate issues, particularly for residents in modern apartment buildings.
When it gets cold outside, humidity levels drop, affecting the indoor climate. When we are ventilating our homes, we’re letting dry air inside. When we at the same time also turn up the heating, the air becomes even drier.
In older buildings, a lower humidity level can sometimes be beneficial, but in modern apartments, especially those built with concrete, this can often cause problems. As the indoor air dries out, wooden floors, walls, countertops, and furniture can crack and split. Perhaps more concerningly, it can also impact residents’ health.
A burden for residents
The team at the Asthma and Allergy Shop (Astma-Allergi Shoppen) knows all about the issues that dry indoor air can cause: “Many people experience problems with dry air in the winter – it triggers asthma and irritates sensitive mucous membranes. For some, it can even lead to nosebleeds,” they explain.
Issues generally begin when humidity drops below 30%. In winter, it can go as low as 7%, which can cause problems for residents with asthma and allergies.
The list of potential discomforts is long: aggravated asthma, dry mucous membranes, sore throat, headache, rough and dry skin, cracked lips and other irritations.
What can be done about it?
First and foremost, it’s essential to keep an eye on indoor climate and humidity. Indoor climate sensors that measure temperature and humidity are ideal for this purpose.
Modern, wireless humidity sensors, like the ones Brunata uses for indoor climate monitoring, can also notify residents and administrators when relative humidity remains at a critical level for an extended period.
It’s always a good idea to air out your home, both in summer and winter. But when outdoor temperatures drop below 0°C, airing out won’t increase indoor humidity, as the humidity outside is low – even if it’s raining.
That’s why moisture needs to be added in other ways. For instance, keeping plants that require regular watering can help. Another option is to dry laundry indoors or shower with the bathroom door open so moisture spreads throughout the flat. But be cautious and avoid letting humidity become too high.
Make it a habit to vent your home frequently
Whether humidity is too high – i.e., over 60% – or too low – i.e., below 40% – it’s important to air out daily. It can be hard to remember to air out in a busy daily routine, but make it a habit, for example, by airing out in the morning while brushing your teeth, when you get home from work, and again in the evening before bed.
Do you want to ensure a healthy and comfortable indoor climate in your home?
With Brunata’s intelligent indoor climate sensors, you can easily monitor and optimize humidity and temperature in your living space.
Leading Turkish metering company becomes part of Brunata-Minol-ZENNER Group
News
Press release
We are thrilled to announce that Brunata International, part of the Brunata-Minol-ZENNER Group, is teaming up with Kodsan Termosar Enerji Sistemleri A.S (KMT), a leading Turkish company specializing in energy measurement and billing systems. Going forward, KMT will operate under the name Brunata ZENNER–part of Minol, to further strengthen the company’s operations in the country.
KMT has a history going back to 2008. Over the years, the company has established a solid reputation for innovation and customer service, providing products and services for heat and water consumption measurement, billing, and system installations. Brunata will take over the majority of KMT’s shares to further support the company’s growth.
Expanding our international footprint
This acquisition is an important step forward for us at Brunata as we continue to expand our international reach. As Brunata International Holding’s CEO, Kristian Voldby Olesen, puts it:
‘We are thrilled to welcome our new Turkish colleagues and look forward to leveraging our combined strengths. KMT has seen significant development, and we are eager to help accelerate this momentum. By integrating our IoT technology and data-driven solutions, we will help our clients in Türkiye measure and use energy resources smarter and more efficiently, helping them reduce their environmental footprint.’
A new chapter for Brunata ZENNER Türkiye
Recep Girişmen, General Manager of BrunataZENNER Türkiye, shares the excitement for the future:
‘Since 2008, it has been a privilege to be part of KMTs growth. Now, joining Brunata we are entering a new phase, allowing us to enhance our services in Türkiye further. We are committed to providing even better solutions to our existing clients while strengthening our position in the market with new opportunities as BrunataZENNER-part of Minol.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our former partners, especially Kodsan Isı Teknolojileri A.Ş., for their valuable contributions over the years, and we wish them continued success in their future endeavours.’
About Brunata-Minol-ZENNER
Brunata-Minol-ZENNNER is a leading European clean-tech company specialising in energy efficiency and metering technologies. We operate across multiple countries, helping customers optimise their energy consumption through advanced IoT technology and innovative data-driven solutions.
For information
Kristian Voldby Olsen, CEO Brunata International, phone +45 50 60 49 13
Recep Girişmen, General Manager of BrunataZENNER Türkiye, phone 0850 532 04 04
Smart sensors a new defense against flooding and heavy rain
News
Climate change means that cloudbursts and flooding will become more frequent and severe in the future. Currently, Brunata is monitoring the experiences from a pilot project in Germany, where both sensors and artificial intelligence are being utilized in the fight against these climate events.
Physical climate protection is neither easy nor cheap. However, modern technology used in Germany may deliver far better results from investments in the future — also in Denmark and the rest of Europe. During serious climate events such as cloudbursts and flooding, it is crucial for emergency services to receive real-time information about the severity of the situation. Examples of such information include water levels in waterways, basins, wells, sewers, and more.
In Germany, Brunata’s sister company Zenner has entered into a partnership with the utility company Stadtwerke Schwerte, located in Schwerte (with nearly 50,000 inhabitants) near the Ruhr River, close to Dortmund. The background for this collaboration was a devastating flood in 2021 and a desire to strengthen preparedness and reduce damage effects in the future. The progress of the project is being monitored continuously in Denmark and other European countries.
“Cities across Europe are investing enormous amounts in climate protection these years. Our German colleagues’ project has the potential to increase the value of these investments, ensuring that money and efforts are used most efficiently. The solution can be seen as a climate cockpit that makes it possible to prevent and navigate faster and better through imminent floods,” says Kristian Voldby Olsen, CEO of Brunata International.
The purpose of the project is to make it easier to prevent and manage the consequences of heavy rainfalls and flooding. With ultrasound, the sensors measure water levels at critical points in the urban area. Data transmission is carried out via a LoRaWAN network, which is particularly suitable for many small battery-powered sensors due to the network’s long range.
The data can be accessed by the city’s drainage system in real-time on a smartphone, iPad, or computer. When water levels exceed a critical threshold, the responsible emergency services are alerted. They then take appropriate measures, such as removing obstacles like floating trees from pipes or bridges, laying sandbags, etc.
When the sensors were installed in 2023, there was hardly any water due to drought. However, data was collected, and benchmarks and risk levels were established. By Christmas 2023, the system proved its value to Stadtwerke Schwerte when high water levels reached alarming heights in the Ruhr River, which flows through the city. The solution made it easier to assess and handle the threat. Based on these experiences, further development of the solution is now underway.
Artificial intelligence joins the fight
The success is confirmed by new expansion plans for the municipality and its utility company. Throughout the year, additional points along the waterways and sewer systems will be equipped with sensors. The conditions in the city’s sewer network are particularly interesting. Even though the capacity of the sewer network is regularly calculated using hydraulic sewer network calculations, the calculation is based on virtual computer models.
All this data will soon be processed in an AI-based warning system. It is expected that this will contribute to significantly better predictions of where flooding may occur in Schwerte in the event of cloudbursts or flooding. Despite all technological advances, the increasing number of cloudburst events cannot be prevented, but the city will now be much better equipped to respond to them and protect its citizens.
“Today, we provide comprehensive solutions for measuring and controlling the consumption of electricity, water, and heat. We hope that the project can equip us with the knowledge that, in a few years, will enable us to establish plug-and-play solutions for climate protection,” says Kristian Voldby Olsen, CEO of Brunata International.
Explore our Smart Building solutions
Make your buildings intelligent with Brunata’s Smart Building solutions! We offer IoT-based monitoring and management that protect against damage and optimize resource consumption. Experience the benefits of real-time data and see how our solutions can help you create a safer and more efficient environment.
About Brunata:
Brunata is part of the Brunata-Minol-ZENNER group, which has 4,200 employees worldwide and local partners in more than 100 countries. Brunata is one of Europe’s leading specialists in energy measurement, meters, individual metering, and property-based IoT solutions and energy management.
The LoRaWAN® network enables Brunata to offer telecommunications infrastructure for tailored and smart solutions in the Internet of Things to energy providers, the housing sector, cities, and municipalities, as well as municipal utilities and industrial companies. The group has over 20,000 gateways — half of which are in Denmark — and more than 6 million connected devices in 15 countries.
Further information:
Kristian Voldby Olsen, CEO Brunata International, mobile +45 50 60 49 10, email: kol@brunata.com
Brunata completes the acquisition of Jordan d.o.o.
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ANNOUNCEMENT
We are pleased to announce a transformative development in the ownership structure of Jordan d.o.o.
Effective October 24th, 2023, Brunata has successfully completed the acquisition of Jordan d.o.o., marking a significant milestone that strategically aligns with our objectives and reinforces our market position.
Jordan d.o.o. will now become an integral part of the Brunata/ZENNER family, benefitting from enhanced support and assistance, ultimately aiming to elevate the level of service provided to our clients and partners.
The dedicated team at Jordan d.o.o. remains unchanged. All existing agreements and commitments will continue without alteration. Nataša Filip, Director of Jordan d.o.o., affirms: “We will uphold all contractual obligations with our clients and ensure that the transition in ownership structure will have no impact on the company’s day-to-day operations.”
Accordingly, the primary focus is on seamlessly managing Jordan’s customer portfolio to ensure everyone is well-informed about the new ownership while reassuring them that it will be business as usual.
“We are thrilled to share the news of our recent acquisition, underscoring our unwavering commitment to delivering enhanced products and services for our valued customers,” states Kristian Voldby Olsen, Managing Director of Brunata a/s.
For more information please contact:
Nataša Filip
Director
Cell 041359778
Jordan d.o.o.
Draga 1
SI-8220 Šmarješke Toplice
+386 738 43 060
Kristian Voldby Olsen
Managing Director
Cell +45 5060 4910
Brunata a/s
Vesterlundvej 14
DK-2730 Herlev
+45 7777 7000
New IoT-innovation uses LoRaWAN® and puts a stop to wild waste of water – in toilets
News
A running toilet can waste up to 1,100 liters – or 10 bathtubs – of clean water in just 24 hours. Brunata’s newly patented Smart Building Running Toilet service uses IoT and LoRaWAN® technology to help tenants and administrators save on a resource that is becoming scarce all over the world as climate is changing.
Climate change is reshaping Europe’s freshwater resources. Scarcity looms in dry regions and urbanized areas, and we need to find new ways of protecting this precious and vital resource.
All over Europe, leaking toilets are a common source of waste, but often go unnoticed. At 8 liters/hour, it can be almost invisible, while a full one can waste more than 150 liters every hour. Estimates are that 5-8% of all toilets have a present leak.
A team of Brunata’s technicians has now developed a simple, yet ingenious IoT solution for this problem: the “Running Toilets” service.
This new Smart Building service uses intelligent vibration sensors synced with Brunata’s LoRaWAN® network for efficient data collection. When a sensor detects constant water flow to a cistern, the system warns tenants and administrators, urging them to take action and literally stop money from running down the toilet. In other words, Running Toilets help people save money and protect the environment.
Brunata’s already proven and extensive LoRaWAN® network is developed for remote reading of consumption meters like water meters and energy meters. This makes it the perfect match for Smart Building solutions like the new “Running Toilet” service.
The benefits of Brunata’s LoRaWAN® network are that it is ideal for collecting and processing data from meters, sensors, and similar technological devices. The LoRaWAN® network is easy to install and can cover large areas in dense buildings.
Brunata Smart Building combines intelligent sensors, maintenance services, and an online platform that provides easily comprehensible insights into the condition of your residential properties, and the possibility of setting up alerts for alarms and e-mail notifications.
Contact information
To learn more about Brunata’s “Running Toilet” service, contact Morten Duelund, Technical Product Manager: +45 50 60 96 40 / modu@brunata.com
About Brunata and ZENNER
Brunata International A/S & ZENNER International GmbH & CO. KG are part of the Minol-ZENNER Group, counting more than 4,200 employees all over the world.
Brunata International A/S is one of Europe’s leading specialists in energy measuring, metering and submetering as well as property based IoT solutions and Energy Management. Brunata International and ZENNER International GmbH & CO. KG stands for innovation, quality and precision in measurement technology. Visit ZENNER at www.zenner.com
Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona 2023
Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona November 7-9, 2023
At the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona November 7-9, 2023 ZENNER International GmbH & Co.KG and Brunata A/S will jointly present the latest Smart City & Smart Building use cases as well as references under the motto “Building our future together” at the joint LoRaAlliance® booth in Hall2 Level 0 Aisle F Booth 90.
Brunata and ZENNER already have turnkey innovative solutions in their portfolio for many topics, at #SCEWC2023 the companies will present solutions, products and applications with which cities, municipalities, public utilities and energy providers can achieve sustainable added value. These include digital metering devices and sensors for wireless systems such as LoRaWAN® and Wireless M-Bus, complete solutions for digital sub-metering via smart metering systems, and smart solutions for building management.
In Germany, ZENNER has been a pioneer for several years with more than 350 successful digitization projects in the Smart City and Smart Utility environment with LoRaWAN® based solutions and is continuously working with customers on new solutions and use cases. In September, ZENNER was awarded the eGovernment Readers Choice Award in the category Smart City /Smart Country for this with PLATIN. Read more here.
Also internationally, more and more of the group’s IoT-based LoRaWAN® application solutions are used by ZENNER International and the companies of Brunata A/S in Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Italy, Poland, Spain in the USA and Dubai. One of the most comprehensive LoRaWAN® product and solution portfolios and the LoRaWAN® network of the Brunata Minol ZENNER Group, operated by ZENNER Connect GmbH, serves as a basis for this. With more than 72.000 devies and 5.3 MIO! terminals, it is currently one of the largest and fastest growing LoRaWAN® devices in Europe.
Be curious about the latest use cases and references from the group.
Find out more about the Smart City Expo World Congress here
Your contact:
Morten Duelund
Technical Product Manager, Commercial and Business Development, Brunata a/s
Mail: modu@brunata.com
Minol ZENNER Connect goes Europe-wide
Minol ZENNER Connect goes Europe-wide – ZENNER IoT PLUG&PLAY solutions are now available in many European countries.
The Internet of Things (IoT for short) is an important driver of digitalisation for public utilities, energy providers, municipalities, industry and SMEs. ZENNER is one of the leading technology providers in this field. After many successful projects, the company is expanding to make its IoT PLUG&PLAY solutions available in many European countries in future.
LoRaWAN can be used for many digital applications in the smart city. (Source: Adobe Stock, ZENNER)
As of now, the smart ZENNER IoT PLUG&PLAY solutions for use in Minol ZENNER Connect GmbH’s LoRaWAN® network are available not just in Germany but also Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia. Other countries will follow later this year.
LoRaWAN® allows customers to transmit their sensor data securely and reliably via the Internet of Things. The Minol-ZENNER Group offers its own network for this purpose. “We are now one of Europe’s largest LoRaWAN network operators, providing our customers with reliable network operation, monitoring the network for outages, coverage gaps and capacity, and also ensuring that each country’s respective regulatory requirements are met,” reports Marcus Kirchdörfer, Managing Director of Minol ZENNER Connect GmbH, the group’s LoRaWAN network operator. Today, MZC’s network already comprises more than 46,000 LoRaWAN gateways and around 4 million LoRaWAN terminals.
The fact that digital IoT solutions can be used professionally, not just for large-scale projects, but also on a smaller scale, is demonstrated by the ZENNER IoT PLUG&PLAY solution portfolio, which was specially developed for SMEs and smaller commercial enterprises. “We have observed for some time that many SMEs and commercial enterprises are very interested in using digital solutions selectively or combining them with each other. This includes, for example, for detecting leaks or monitoring roller doors, filling levels, storage and cold rooms.
During the coronavirus pandemic, there was also a surge in demand for solutions to monitor indoor air quality in offices, schools and public buildings, including measuring CO2 levels,” reports Boris Stöckermann, Head of New Business Europe at the Minol-ZENNER Group.
ZENNER IoT PLUG&PLAY focuses on processes that are as straightforward and user-friendly as possible. The ZENNER IoT-GatewayPLUS Smart is simply plugged into a socket and automatically connects to the Minol-ZENNER Group’s LoRaWAN® network via the customer’s WLAN. New sensors purchased via the online ZENNER shop can be optionally delivered pre-configured, connect automatically to the network during commissioning, and be mapped in the B.One Gallery visualisation platform. Individual use cases can be freely combined with each other. True to the motto Gateway Sensor, Ready, Go!
“The idea of being able to implement digitisation yourself even without extensive IT knowledge is well received in the market,” explains Stöckermann. “Our goal is to keep customer effort as low as possible. Putting devices into operation with ZENNER IoT PLUG&PLAY is no more complicated than integrating electrical devices into your home WiFi. However, if any questions arise, the B.One Community provides users with a specialist forum where laypersons and experts can constructively exchange experiences. For more extensive projects that require individual project management, interested parties can contact the ZENNER IoT project team via the shop.”
“Besides our own products, our portfolio currently includes over 200 smart IoT sensors and gateways from the most popular manufacturers, which can be used to achieve countless smart use cases – on both small and large scales. The spectrum of solutions ranges from the intelligent digitisation of individual tasks to the creation of complex digital ecosystems,” explains Stöckermann.
The installed sensors send the status data to the corresponding gateways via the Internet of Things. From there, the data is forwarded to an IoT platform where it is available for many applications. All data is encrypted before transmission. Corresponding solutions, e.g. for visualising devices and data, are available on the IoT platform.
ZENNER has been one of the pioneers for years and offers end-to-end complete IoT solutions from a single source, from measurement technology and sensors to telecommunications infrastructure and data services, right through to the finished application. Whether you’re after a classic smart city solutions such as demand-based street lighting control (smart lighting), intelligent parking solutions (smart parking) and demand-oriented waste disposal (smart waste) or solutions for intelligent buildings (smart buildings) – digitalisation offers countless opportunities to optimise processes, save costs or sustainably improve a carbon footprint. The company relies primarily on LoRaWAN® technology. “With the global radio standard LoRaWAN, data from thousands of devices and sensors can be transmitted over long distances quickly, securely and with minimal energy consumption,” says Stöckermann.
You can experience the smart IoT solutions live at the LoRaWAN World Expo, the world’s largest LoRaWAN exhibition, in Paris on 6 and 7 July. There, ZENNER and Minol ZENNER Connect will be exhibiting together with partners Brunata, SmartMakers and asvin, as well as presenting the ZENNERShop for IoT sensors and solutions.
About ZENNER
ZENNER International GmbH & Co. KG has its headquarters in Saarbrücken, Germany, and develops, produces and distributes measuring technology for global markets. ZENNER operates production facilities in Europe, Asia and the USA and has 60 locations around the world. Established in 1903, the company has been part of the family-owned group of Minol-ZENNER since 2005. Minol and ZENNER employ more than 4,200 people worldwide. The portfolio includes residential, domestic and bulk water meters, heat meters, gas meters and modern system technology. ZENNER customers are energy suppliers and municipal utilities but also industrial companies, wholesalers and meter-reading companies. Since 2016, as part of its digitalisation strategy, ZENNER has focused on innovative system solutions based on Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, ranging from project development to measurement data acquisition and processing to end user application and IoT network operation. ZENNER IoT Solutions GmbH, based in Hamburg, and ZENNER Hessware GmbH in Mannheim joined the Group in 2017. Both specialise in the development of customer-specific IoT applications.
More information at www.zenner.com
About Minol ZENNER Connect
Minol ZENNER Connect GmbH is one of the largest LoRaWAN® network operators for IoT use cases in Germany. Minol ZENNER Connect currently operates one of the largest private LoRaWAN networks in Germany with more than 46,000 LoRaWAN gateways installed in 11 states. Today around 4 million measuring devices and sensors are already integrated in the Minol ZENNER Connect network. The LoRaWAN network can be used to achieve countless smart use cases in the smart city, smart industry or smart energy sectors.
More information at
www.mz-connect.com
https://www.mz-connect.com/shop/en
https://community.mz-connect.com/en/
Press contact
ZENNER International GmbH & Co. KG
Patrik Sartor
Heinrich-Barth-Str. 29
66115 Saarbrücken, Germany
T. +49 681 / 9 96 76 – 31 57
F. +49 681 / 9 96 76 – 31 00
patrik.sartor@zenner.com
www.zenner.de
New digital platform for administrators and brand-new mobile app for residents
News
Brunata Online is used by property administrators to get an overview of energy consumption and expenses in residential buildings. At the same time, the platform is an important source of information on, e.g., major deviations in energy consumption that may require rapid intervention to avoid unnecessarily high costs.
Now, the platform is also available in a version for building residents. With Brunata Online for Residents, each resident has the possibility to follow their own consumption of heat, water, electricity and gas day by day, and the consumption can be monitored more precisely for each meter in each room. Among other things, the resident can compare consumption with previous periods, and see if there are major deviations, which makes it much easier to adjust consumption and thus save on energy bills.
New mobile app makes it even easier
At the same time, a brand-new app for residents will be launched, making it even easier for individual residents to check their consumption. All available data is presented in a simple and clear way in the app. Residents can compare consumption to previous periods, set alarms for consumption fluctuations and receive energy saving tips.
The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play (if the property has signed up to the service).
Good news for administrators too
There is good news for administrators as well. With the introduction of an updated version of Brunata Online, administrators will also find new ways of optimizing their work.
The new generation of the system has been redesigned with a simpler interface, making it even easier to get to the information you need. Data is quick to read, navigation is intuitive, intelligent features are added all the time. As a new feature, it will be possible to invite new users and residents by email.
All in all, both residents and administrators get a better overview, which can save time on administrative tasks and money on energy bills.
Innovative e-Mobility Solutions for Municipal Utilities
News
Zenner and GP Joule Connect bring new e-mobility solutions for municipal utilities and energy providers into the market. Already integrated is the transmission of data via a smart meter gateway, which is partly required from 2021.
In order to integrate holistic e-mobility solutions into modern district and smart city concepts, Zenner and GP Joule Connect have developed a package that combines CLS (Controlled Local Systems) and LoRaWAN® technology with mobility solutions. (copyright: GP Joule)
Municipal utilities (known as Stadtwerke) also want to position themselves as service providers for cities, districts or regional companies in the domain of electromobility. Sebastian Heß, Managing Director of Zenner Hessware GmbH: “The entry into electromobility has several advantages: In addition to income from electricity sales, for example, the smart operation of the charging infrastructure guarantees secure network control through the monitoring and control of charging points.” An important aspect, as it is becoming more and more important to monitor load conditions and to switch charging stations intelligently. With CLS management from Zenner Hessware, this is now possible under regulatory compliance.
In order to integrate holistic e-mobility solutions into modern district and smart city concepts, Zenner and GP Joule Connect have developed a package that combines the CLS and LoRaWAN® technology with mobility solutions. An example of this is data transmission via a smart meter gateway.
Smart meter gateway as a secure communication channel
Starting in 2021, it will be mandatory for charging stations with consumption of over 6,000 kWh to use Smart Meter Gateways (SMGW). Charging points must then be controlled in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
However, the advantages of Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) can also be exploited in this way. This promises the operators of controllable consumer devices a reduced network fee. The prerequisite for this is the role as an active EMT at Zenner Hessware. This provides an integrated solution for the control of charging infrastructure including data transmission via SMGW.
E-mobility as a smart city solution
In addition, Zenner has developed a LoRaWAN®-supported smart parking solution that shows the actual occupancy of the parking area in front of a charging station. It is true that operators of charging stations can usually determine whether an electric vehicle is being charged. However, it remains unclear whether a supposedly available e-parking space might actually be occupied by a non e-mobility vehicle.
By combining data about the operating status of the charging station and the availability of the parking space on a single platform, real-time reliable information about free and functional parking spaces for electric vehicles can be made available via a smart app.