The building sector still accounts for well over a third of global energy consumption. This means that measures to improve sustainability in this area are vital, from both an environmental and a financial perspective. Investors and operators know that buildings have to be energy-efficient in order to stay climate-friendly and profitable in the long term. Intelligent energy monitoring and management hold the keys to the future of green building. Achieving this future requires the entire building automation system to be integrated on a single platform across all technical systems – and that’s where Beckhoff comes in. We offer a complete modular system for building automation, providing benefits for every participant along the value chain and for the climate inside the building.
Leading the way in building automation with Beckhoff
- modular and scalable for all requirements and building types
- open automation platform for integrating all technical systems
- requirements up to building efficiency class A according to DIN EN ISO 52120 are met
- all data flows into one system – for maximum optimization potential
- efficient and simple engineering thanks to ready-made software solutions
How to automate your building sustainably
Energy-efficient thanks to intelligent networking
Building automation only unfolds its full potential when all its functions and systems are integrated on a central platform and networked with each other. That’s exactly how it works with the PC-based controller and the modular system from Beckhoff. The modular system offers you all the hardware and software solutions you need, from the field level to demand-controlled automation – of ventilation, air conditioning, heating, and lighting, for example – through to higher-level control systems.
Networking all of your building automation components using a Beckhoff solution makes it possible to bring together and evaluate all data on one platform. It is then available to facility management from a central point. This allows you to tap into outstanding potential for savings – for example, by only air-conditioning the rooms in a building where people are currently present.
Further information can be found in our brochure:
Solutions for energy-efficient building automation
For the highest sustainability and economic efficiency standards
With an integrated, PC-based control solution from Beckhoff, you’ll meet even the strictest requirements for sustainability and economic efficiency. One of the most important standards in this context is DIN EN ISO 52120, which describes the effects of building automation and management on a building’s energy efficiency. There are four different building automation efficiency classes from A to D, where A is the highest and is only awarded to buildings with automation that operates across all technical systems. Beckhoff provides you with all the components you need to make this a reality.
Other standards that you can meet with our automation solutions:
- ISO 50001-ready status – exempts you from Germany’s energy legislation levy
- a high Smart Readiness Indicator in accordance with the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
- overfulfillment of the requirements of the German Building Energy Act (GEG)
- DIN EN ISO 16484 – Building automation and control systems
Energy monitoring – local or cloud-based
The core benefit of building automation is optimized energy monitoring and management. In addition to the appropriate hardware for energy and power measurement, Beckhoff also offers leading solutions for recording and analyzing the collected data. These are the keys to smart energy monitoring. The recorded data is analyzed with the help of TwinCAT Analytics. Both local and cloud-based solutions are available for you to choose from. Thanks to the protocols available in TwinCAT, such as HTTP/Rest, MQTT, and OPC UA, you do not need any additional devices for integration with higher-level systems and cloud services.
How you benefit:
- real time monitoring and notifications – also available in a mobile format on your smartphone or tablet
- less maintenance work and reduced wear thanks to predictive maintenance
- implementation of machine learning concepts for optimized operation
Customized automation – modular and interoperable
The potential for saving emissions and energy through building automation is huge. In order for us as a society to benefit from this across the board in the fight against climate change and through more profitable and comfortable buildings, automation must also become standard in existing buildings as part of retrofit projects.
Beckhoff’s modular system is perfect for this. It makes it possible to implement individual, PC-based control concepts and includes all the components required to do this, from embedded PCs and EtherCAT Terminals to drive technology and TwinCAT automation and control software. Beckhoff systems are designed to be so modular and interoperable that they can even be retrofitted and scaled throughout the life cycle of a building.
Our technologies for your building
One central control system for all automation tasks
Beckhoff calls on a comprehensive modular range of components and deep-rooted sector expertise to create open building automation systems using PC-based control technology. Our platform solution features modularity, scalability, and openness, integrating a full range of tasks across all technical systems – from operating and monitoring system and room automation to intelligent open-loop and closed-loop control concepts for these tasks. The system-integrated solution from Beckhoff is an efficient alternative to conventional providers and is ideal for use across all building automation applications.
How you benefit from PC-based control:
- efficiency: one platform for automating control, data processing, energy monitoring, and visualization
- flexibility and scalability: modular hardware and software system for customized implementations and performance enhancements as required
- openness: PC-based control supports all common protocols and interfaces for industry-standard building, media, and energy technology
Fast, synchronized, and extensive network expansion with free topology
EtherCAT is the real-time Ethernet protocol that Beckhoff developed specifically for automation tasks over 20 years ago. As an open IEC standard, EtherCAT is the technology of choice when it comes to recording and transmitting data continuously and reliably in real time. This is the basis for centralized or decentralized control technology. Due to its outstanding performance, flexible topologies, simple configuration, and comprehensive diagnostics functions, EtherCAT is established in many industries. The properties of EtherCAT have also proven themselves in building automation. With more than 65,000 devices, EtherCAT has an almost unlimited network reach. Thanks to EtherCAT, it doesn’t matter whether I/Os are situated locally in the control cabinet, directly at the automation station, or in another location in the building.
How you benefit from EtherCAT:
- ultra-fast communication: EtherCAT ensures ultra-fast and reliable data transmission in real time
- central automation architecture: one control point for all systems, highly flexible options, and implementation as required in a wide variety of network topologies
- maximum openness: support for all common fieldbus systems and protocols such as BACnet, DALI, DMX, KNX/EIB, EnOcean®, BACnet MSTP, Modbus, M-Bus, MP-Bus, and SM
Software solution for all automation tasks
From lighting to ventilation and shading, Beckhoff’s TwinCAT automation software and TwinCAT Building Automation industry package provide you with a central engineering and control platform for all tasks and technical systems. This allows you to implement all building functions and functional changes quickly and easily using a software-based approach. Just like EtherCAT, TwinCAT supports standard protocols such as BACnet or DALI-2, ensuring interoperable communication with all subsystems and devices. There are also numerous tools, templates, and software libraries for engineering and programming needs-based automation solutions. This reduces costs and, at the same time, increases efficiency and reliability during implementation.
How you benefit from TwinCAT:
- convenient and cost-effective: templates for typical HVAC and room automation applications
- future-proof: scalable and efficient engineering
- interoperable: support for all industry-standard fieldbus systems and protocols
- AI support: intelligent engineering support through TwinCAT CoAgent
Our product highlights for your building
The framework for building automation
With TwinCAT Building Automation TF8040, Beckhoff offers a comprehensive software package specifically for building automation. In order to make engineering as efficient and simple as possible, we have developed an extensive modular system of software tools, libraries, and application samples. The basic tool is the free programming environment TwinCAT Engineering.
Basic functions for controlling all technical systems in building automation are stored in the tool and ready for use. These range from simple logistics modules and PID controllers to special solutions – such as lamella setpoint tracing for blinds on the basis of the sun’s position. An extensive portfolio of ready-to-use applications is available. These are tried-and-tested and well-documented program blocks, ranging from applications in HVAC technology to room automation. This makes it easier to become familiar with the system, ensures a high level of system functionality, and increases the reusability and maintainability of the programs created. The system is operated and parameterized either on site at the control cabinet via the control panel or from a mobile location via TwinCAT HMI.
Modular components for all signals and functions
The Beckhoff portfolio of EtherCAT Terminals and bus terminals makes it possible to connect every sensor and actuator, and to integrate all building automation fieldbuses. The fine granularity of the system allows only as many inputs or outputs to be used as the project requires. The extremely high packing density (12 mm for 16 digital I/Os) reduces space requirements to a minimum and facilitates later reproductions. EtherCAT Couplers allow the terminals to be operated not only in the control cabinet at the automation station, but also remotely in the field. It is possible to use an almost unlimited combination and number of terminals in a segment.
I/O terminals (inputs, outputs, communication, system) for building automation:
Innovative light and lighting control
With the TF8050 TwinCAT 3 Lighting Solution, Beckhoff presents an intelligent lighting solution for building automation that simplifies all work steps from commissioning to maintenance. It integrates all common lighting controllers and enables an unlimited number of DALI lines. The lighting solution is fully web/HTML5-capable, is decentrally scalable, and can be operated directly via a panel. Quick function changes, addressing, and extensions can be performed immediately during operation, along with DALI line-independent groupings of DALI devices. With the TwinCAT Lighting Solution, you can configure innovative lighting solutions in just a few steps: simply via Excel, without any programming knowledge.
Daylight-dependent Human Centric Lighting concepts can also be implemented. The TwinCAT 3 Lighting Solution automatically saves energy by cutting switch-on time for the lighting in presence-dependent environments to a minimum by automatically optimizing the switch-off delay.
Compact and integrated to save space
Beckhoff offers a wide range of different embedded PCs in addition to a portfolio of panel PCs and industrial PCs. These are mounted directly on the DIN rail to save space and serve as a PC-based control and data platform. A variety of scalable and expandable embedded PCs are available for different automation and requirement profiles.
The following models, for example, are suitable for use as compact controls for buildings:
Automation solutions for your application areas
Efficient results, easy handling
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are vital functions for every building. They place high demands on the automation used to control them and its impact is expected to be great, especially when it comes to energy usage, resource consumption, and the well-being of users. In addition to the hardware portfolio for integrating all data points, Beckhoff provides its TF8040 software solution for a full range of intelligent HVAC automation functions.
How you benefit from TwinCAT Building Automation:
- consistently high system functionality
- efficient parameterization and commissioning
- good program transparency and expandability (prerequisite for long-term maintainability and expansion of the systems)
- improved reusability of templates for systems or system components
- straightforward service staff training
- generic HMI with minimal engineering work involved
- interfaces with planning tools via AML or TwinCAT XCAD
Feel-good efficiency through intelligent control
Room automation is a central component of building automation. After all, the energy consumers that determine the overall energy consumption of a building are located in a room. Room automation regulates and controls these energy consumers intelligently and in line with demand, making it possible to achieve the required level of comfort with minimum energy usage.
People feel comfortable in a room when the lighting levels and climate feel right. Lighting, shading, heating, cooling, and ventilation may be required depending on the time of day and outside temperature – but it needs to be applied specifically in the rooms or zones where people are present, not throughout the entire building. Ensuring that individual technical systems – such as façade control, lighting, and climate control – are perfectly coordinated is another key factor in maintaining energy-efficiency. You can achieve this with integrated and intelligent room automation from Beckhoff. Effective, highly efficient results come from the comprehensive TF8040 software solution, which fulfills the requirements of the VDI 3813 room automation guideline and provides all the options you need for a building with energy efficiency class A in accordance with DIN EN ISO 52120.
Everything always in view and under control
How much energy is your building currently consuming? Are the burglar and fire alarm systems working properly, and does the air quality meet specifications? With Beckhoff solutions, building operators and control center staff always have an overview of the automated building technology and full access to the control system via remote maintenance – at any time and from any location thanks to TwinCAT HMI.
All building control data can be visualized either on a local panel PC or control panel or, thanks to TwinCAT HMI’s HTML5 support, on any end device such as a smartphone or tablet. Another advantage is that the Beckhoff control platform supports all standard interfaces and industry-standard manufacturer-specific protocols. This means that any conceivable component in the building can be visualized and operated. Web pages and third-party systems can also be easily integrated.
See, hear, and be astounded – with no limits
Media technology in modern buildings comes in a variety of formats, including different audio and video systems, countless screens, multimedia servers, and streaming services. To ensure that all your devices and services in a building network work together and offer first-class usability, you need an intelligent control system. One that ensures full manufacturer-independent integration of all devices and components – for flawless interaction.
A control platform from Beckhoff lets you achieve this. In addition to Ethernet TCP/IP, serial protocols, and OPC UA, it supports all protocols relevant to media technology, such as Open Control Architecture (AES 70 Standard), PJLink, SMPTE timecode, Riedel, DMX, Art-Net™, and Streaming ACN (sACN). This provides you with an integrated automation platform for all AV devices, IP networks, and cloud services, and gives you the tools today to meet the requirements of tomorrow.
All-round smart networking
A sustainable and energy-efficient building infrastructure goes far beyond innovative automation solutions for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. Peripheral systems such as photovoltaic plants or charging points for electric vehicles also need to be integrated and benefit from smart networking to create an energy and charging management system that is all-round efficient. The technologies and automation solutions required for this are available from Beckhoff. One example is a new system solution for communicating with the charging infrastructure in buildings and charging electric vehicles.
To this end, Beckhoff has added the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) to the tried-and-tested TwinCAT 3 IoT Communicator and developed a new EtherCAT Terminal with the designation EL6761. With the complete package consisting of TwinCAT IoT OCPP and the EL6761 EtherCAT Terminal, you can now implement seamless and powerful communication systems for charging infrastructure applications in buildings.
Automation solutions for data centers
In our digitally driven era, data centers are the backbone of modern businesses. With our comprehensive experience in automation technology, we provide the right solutions for designing, fine-tuning, and maintaining these critical infrastructures. Whether you’re building a state-of-the-art data center or aiming to boost the performance and efficiency of your existing facilities, Beckhoff’s range of components and solutions are designed to guide you through every step of this process.
Our commitment to innovation, security, and scalability ensures that your data center not only meets current requirements but is prepared for the ever-evolving technology landscape.
Real-time monitoring for maximum efficiency
Complete solutions for building automation are complex. A building can only achieve its energy efficiency targets if all its components work effectively and flawlessly over the long term. To ensure this, you need an end-to-end solution for real-time energy and system monitoring. With Beckhoff, you can achieve this without having to invest in additional measuring devices and sensors. This is because electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and power are recorded directly in the EtherCAT I/O network.
With an integrated monitoring solution from Beckhoff – consisting of EtherCAT Terminals, measuring transducers, and TwinCAT monitoring software – the advantage you gain is the ability to register even minimal deviations from the normal state in real time and respond immediately. Fault prevention through predictive maintenance is the key concept here. The result is consistently high-efficiency energy management in accordance with ISO 50001.
