// How the Digital Ceiling and Construction Will Connect

How the Digital Ceiling and Construction Will Connect

A building in which the Wi-Fi, lights, security all ran through the building without a need for plugs everywhere.

Seems too futuristic to be true, right?

Digital Ceilings combine all the functionality of these current technologies and can run in the ceiling or under a raised floor. Our team is utilizing developing best practices for utilization of this technology alongside our clients.

Now, how does this happen?

It’s by linking building services over a single, converged IP network which could be in ceiling plenum and/or under a raised floor.

Direct Current (DC) produced by renewable energy such as wind and sun is simply more efficiently useful to consume without converting it to Alternating Current (AC) and then back again.

Currently, many early adopters are using the Digital Ceilings for lighting, building management and Wi-Fi Solutions. But implementation can become even more impactful with the use of the Internet of Things.

What Can It Do?

The digital ceiling conversion efforts should allow employees and guests in the building to connect, with less downtime from searching for power (for tablets and laptop computers), or to connect to a secure internet.

Speed of communication is improved and it can provide more reliable with 5G and 6G wireless.  Space temperature and ventilation are adjusted (increased or decreased) as people enter and leave.  Lighting levels can be easily adjusted as daylighting becomes more or less available, and for presentations.

Current technology requires 120 volt AC power to be provided for the following systems/devices. These could all be completely converted to DC:

  • Space illumination (lighting, blinds, emergency lights, glass tinting)
  • Power for computers, monitors, printers, refrigerators, water heaters/coolers, coffee makers, garbage disposals)
  • Environmental controls (including Building Management System which controls temperature and humidity, fresh air, air flow devices, and sound masking).
  • Alarm notification (smoke, carbon monoxide, air contaminants, bio-hazards, gas leaks, active shooter, severe weather, bomb threat)
  • Communications (including reception / main switchboard, WIFI, translation services, meeting transcription)
  • Space reservation and monitoring (including reporting building system issues, finding co-workers or guests, identifying quick spaces to meet)
  • Security (including cameras and recording devices, preventative measures to reduce loss of life, auto-pressure surrounding zones during fire events, communication of direct escape)
  • Recharging vehicles, robots, droids and pods ( machines can act on inputs more efficiently people to save lives, reduce damage and provide artificial intelligence)
  • Productivity improvements (allocation of resources based on need, misuse of space prevention, less environmental harm, lower CO2 emissions, efficient use of energy and scarce resources)

As with any technology – the potential product use could only increase with how fast our systems and processes are improving.

 

A Driver of Change

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of innovation.

Just because the Internet of Things and Digital Ceilings can work together doesn’t mean businesses need this. So what’s driving the change, what’s the business case for this?

  • There’s a significant opportunity to significantly increase energy efficiency. New technologies will make better use of energy generated by renewable systems (such as Photovoltaics), as there is no need to convert power from DC to AC and back to DC, which reduces efficiency.  DC power can be taken directly from generation to consumption.
  • Ability to manage multiple building systems more effectively from local to remote locations.
  • Reduction of operating and maintenance costs due to there being fewer moving parts (circulation fan motors and VAV operators) and replacement of mechanical components which wear out (such as light bulbs).
  • Less capital outlay due to the reduced initial investment in ceiling mounted conduits, as well as wall outlets (since there would be reduced requirement for low voltage DC devices/appliances (such as computers, monitors, and lights).
  • Utilitarianism: Enhanced worker productivity and satisfaction resulting from seamless and compelling User Interface.  The user interface allows intelligent exchange between systems (i.e. a ‘Smarter’ Building).

Walbridge understands that such DC systems can produce significantly positive results for building owners and tenants.  Currently, renewable energy generated by Photovoltaic panels is Direct Current (DC) power, which needs to be converted to AC for transmission over the utility grid long distances to users.  Such energy conversion, known as inversion, is expensive and wasteful.

Transistors are utilized to switch back-and-forth to create a sine wave AC current.  This current is then converted to DC to power common devices.  If a DC power source was available via Power over Ethernet (POE), the following devices currently could be connected directly:

  • LED lights and monitors – light-emitting diodes create light using the movement of electricity across a semiconductor along the path of direct current. This results in a 75 percent reduction in power required for the same light level.
  • Computers – currently rectifiers convert 120 V AC power to DC, creating significant heat.
  • Alarm and Control Systems used for security and fire alarm devices can all be powered by DC, but needs UL system approvals to change from AC powered.

Some Early Issues

As with any early technology adaptation, there are issues to be concerned about that could inhibit design and/or installation of direct current powered systems for building devices.

For example, transmission over great distances is a problem, so all DC solutions should be locally implemented. Typically less than 100 feet for low voltage DC systems, and about 800 feet for higher voltage DC).

Infrastructure currently only supports AC in existing buildings.  Changing to DC is expensive, and convenience outlets and wiring must change. This process isn’t a team coming in for one day and changing to DC. It’s a process that could ultimately benefit you but doesn’t happen overnight. To correspond with that, building codes must be updated, such as the National Electrical and Fire Protection Association (NFPA 72 and NEC).

Another issue comes in the form of connectivity. Current bandwidth availability is a concern because currently, you need 5G, 6G and XG to implement fully. Also, Ethernet devices are still in the development phase and can be unproven. Manufacturers of AC devices are reluctant to invest in DC powered system before more information is researched about the demand.

Continued Learning

There are a number of ways this can add to value-added / value engineered solutions for new and renovated facilities. Walbridge is experimenting in several ways to better develop this for clients.

We created a test lab space at our headquarters. The purpose of this space was to develop “Future Spaces without Boundaries.”  In addition, it allows testing and evaluation of new technologies, as well as proving out and discovering roadblocks with experiments.

Company Design Managers and Technical staff are trained with the technology. Being able to add value analysis and value engineering input on alternative designs and the usefulness of digital ceilings will be important in years to come.

We’ve conducted an industry “Think Tank” sessions with area industry leaders – focusing on non-competitive technologies which result in operational improvements.  Such sessions provide valued feedback regarding various installed POE systems.