The Intranet to Wigan Pier

An Ethernet-based communications system developed by Wigan Borough Council and energy-systems supplier Ambiflex is enabling the borough to control energy consumption in its buildings through its own Intranet. Several of Wigan’s Ambiflex systems have paid for themselves in energy savings within six months. The system is operational on several buildings, and more are to be added. Over 30 Ambiflex control units are in used in council buildings. Among them is Wigan Pier, now an award-winning museum where visitors can experience life at the turn of the 20th century, when Wigan was at the heart of the Lancashire coal-mining industry. The controller includes firmware for boiler sequence control and optimum start/stop control of up to 12 independent and temperature-controlled zones. An Ethernet card enables the energy controller to be connected to the Council’s Intranet. ‘We are able to create a virtual local-area network,’ explains Stephen Flyn, Wigan’s energy manager. ‘We can communicate with the controllers from the energy manager’s officer, sending instructions and receiving telemetry. Because we are using the council’s own internal communications network, the system is completely secure from outside tampering.’

Related links:

• www.ambiflex.com