This is the final part of a two-part Q&A with Lux Research director, Arij Van Berkel, about key trends shaping the HVACR sector.
CCN: What are some of the changes occurring on the control system level?
Van Berkel: The general trend on the control system level is increasing granularity. Smart home technology is enabling a more granular measurement of environmental conditions (temperature, air quality, air flow) in both time and place. Sophisticated models, often in cloud computing, allow building owners to use this data to optimize control for energy use, comfort, costs or a combination of those
CCN: What are the benefits of this change?
Van Berkel: A more granular measurement of energy use allows early detection of problems in the systems and enables the move from preventive to predictive maintenance. Also, more granular control with zones and connected vents and valves allow a more personalized approach for building inhabitants to control their own personal environment. Connected systems are becoming the norm and manufacturers should choose the interoperability platforms that will enable their equipment to work with third party appliances such as sensors and lighting.
CCN: On the topic of building automation and the trend toward smart buildings where do you see the market a decade from now?
Van Berkel: I think the HVACR sector has a unique opportunity to become the system integrator in buildings, since this sector is currently the only one with a coherent control system in place in buildings. Absorbing other smart building capacities in that system will enable this sector to control the market of building appliances. Other firms like utilities and IT companies are now much more active in grabbing that opportunity and the incumbents in the sector run a risk of being just the equipment manufacturers and no longer directly in touch with the market.
CCN: There is a lot of talk in Australia right now about energy storage. Do you see trends emerging in energy, heat and storage?
Van Berkel: Energy storage technology will become significant and useful over the next five years. Manufacturers should be monitoring these developments closely. For example, new technology is arriving to store heat in salt. It is compact, about 100 times smaller than storing heat in hot water. It is also very efficient technology with cycle efficiency of more 90 per cent independent of time and can store heat during seasonal or daily cycles.
CCN: How does the APAC region differ from other regions?
Van Berkel: It is important that we don't view APAC as one contiguous market. China has its own dynamics and industry drivers led by government sustainability mandates and the rapid growth of their own domestic green building certification programs. Japan continues to develop new technological innovation in this area with an eye more towards increasing exports to the international markets of the US and Western Europe.
The more mature markets of South East Asia like Singapore are very aggressive when it comes to incorporating cutting edge HVACR technologies into a relatively new built environment, as well as government R&D funding specifically for innovations in this sector. Emerging markets such as Malaysia and Thailand have also started to place an economic value on innovations in HVACR with some high profile commercial property build outs incorporating smart building technologies to improve occupant safety and comfort.
CCN: Moving away from the general to the more specific can you talk a little about your keynote at CCN Live?
Van Berkel: As well as identifying trends I will talk about the changing energy mix and what is driving it. I will also cover the expanded definition of environmental control, why it happens and what it means.
CCN: Will you cover new technologies?
Van Berkel: My keynote will cover a range of technologies such as emerging air purification technology and control technologies. I will also talk about what these changes in the market and what they mean for industry, specifically changing business models and alliances, opportunities and threats, as well as market consolidation and where its heading.
Lux Research will present research on the changing HVACR market at CCN Live on August 2, 2016. The keynote will be presented by Van Berkel as well as the Asia Pacific managing director of Lux Research, Cort Isernhagen.
Following the presentation the winners of the 2016 HVACR Leadership Awards will be formally announced and presented with their awards.
Early bird tickets are still available at https://secure.twodeforce.com.au/hvacr/register