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wireless control system-graphic
Graphic by Michael Aident and Linda Hall
The Fort Benning wireless control system currently has four base stations and four repeater stations that cover most of the post.
Installation

Fort Benning

Project Title

Wireless Control of Outdoor Lights

Project Description

A new Energy Management & Control System (EMCS) has improved systems performance and reliability at Fort Benning. The new wireless control system replaces an old radio control system enhancing the operator's ability to remotely monitor and/or control outdoor lighting systems, such as those at physical training fields and school crossing lights, as well as monitor building mechanical systems. The EMCS currently uses hard-wired, networked and wireless control systems to monitor and control various heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and lighting systems throughout the post.

Since the new wireless system has the capability for bidirectional communications, the local panels were designed to provide status feedback for the controlled devices, typically lights. Alarms linked to the operational and command statuses will go off to warn the operators of discrepancies associated with the logic control points. For example, if the lights are on when they should be off, or off when they should be on, the control system will provide the EMCS operator with an alarm.

The wireless control system was initially installed at Fort Benning to control only the school crossing, field and basketball court lights. However, since the new system can be used to transmit analog and pulse signals in addition to a digital, discrete signal as required for on-and-off control of a device, the EMCS has been expanded to continuously and remotely (from the EMCS control room) monitor the chiller status and the natural gas and electricity use rates.

Benefits
  • Mission Fort Benning is committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing its dependence on the electrical power grid.
  • Environment Reduces energy consumption and improves air quality.
Cost Savings

Fort Benning is expected to save $200,000 annually by using the wireless system to remotely turn on and off the field and basketball court lights.

Point of Contact

Energy Manager, Directorate of Public Works, Fort Benning Phone: (706) 545-0922

For More Information

The Fort Benning wireless control system has four base stations and four repeater stations that cover most of the post. The EMCS system at Fort Benning controls the lights of 12 school crossing lights and 13 fields and courts. For additional information on this story or energy efficiencies through intelligent control systems visit the following websites: LonMark® International or a Case Study



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