Panasonic and Schneider Electric have become partners to simplify energy management.

The two companies have today (11^th October)  launched an integrated HVAC and building management solution that brings new levels of HVAC control and energy efficiency to today’s commercial buildings.

The inaugural product onto the market is a new wireless interface solution which enables direct serial communication between Schneider Electric’s building management system and room controllers with Panasonic’s VRF-based HVAC systems, via the ZigBee wireless communication standard. This integration allows building owners and managers to view all of their core building systems including HVAC, lighting, security, power and electrical distribution anytime and anywhere via a single interface and delivers actionable insights to reduce energy consumption and drive savings.

Toshiyuki Takagi, executive officer of Panasonic Corporation and president of Panasonic Air-Conditioner, said: “We have invested heavily in our commercial and residential air conditioning products and support services to fully address our customers’ needs and are excited to deliver additional benefits in building energy management through our partnership with Schneider Electric. By combining the power of building management with cutting-edge VRF technology, we are able to help our customers further reduce capital and operating expenditures and reach new levels of sustainability.”

The joint Panasonic/Schneider Electric solution can be installed wirelessly – which preserves existing infrastructure and is ideal for retrofits of older buildings – or it can be wired. The solution takes full advantage of innovative plug-and-play technology which simplifies system configurations for extensive VRF systems – or it can be installed as a part of a standalone system. This makes it easy to install and allows system integrators to save time and costs on installation. In addition, facility teams have access to comprehensive energy reports and dashboards as well as Schneider Electric and Panasonic’s expert technical support teams to ensure that all systems are running at the highest performance levels at all times.

VRF-based HVAC systems are becoming increasingly popular in commercial building settings because of their ability to operate at variable speeds by inverter technology instead of the traditional on/off operation, which drives significant energy savings. Panasonic’s VRF system (ECOi/FSV) is designed to dramatically increase energy efficiency by delivering the highest ESEER rating in all outdoor capacities, as well as high efficiency for part-load operations that accurately match the environment in which it is being used. The system is highly reliable, with strong cooling and heating power, even when operating at extreme ambient temperatures ranging from -25°C up to 52°C.

Schneider Electric’s SmartStruxure building management solution maximises building efficiency and reduces operating costs across the entire lifecycle of a facility by integrating customised hardware, software, engineering, installation and services to ensure facilities are energy efficient and effectively managed. It breaks down traditional information silos and delivers actionable insights in real-time so facility managers can make smarter decisions to optimize energy management.Additionally, Schneider Electric’s SE8000 Series room controllers, as part of SmartStruxure, combine a thermostat/temperature sensor and programmable room controller in a single unit to optimise the energy use of HVAC systems and help reduce operational costs.

The joint Panasonic/Schneider Electric solution is currently available worldwide except in Japan.