April 2011 - New Yaskawa A1000 Variable Frequency Drive

The new Yaskawa Variable Frequency Drive A1000 is now available – this drive will be used in the Ecogate Power MASTER. The A1000 drive is a replacement for the G5 600V and the P5.

The new drive is 50% smaller, and more energy efficient. The drive is available for 3-phase 230V up to 150 HP (20 models), 3-phase 460 V up to 800 HP (26 model), and 575V models for Canada.

We tested A1000 with the greenBOX MASTER using Modbus communication (we will need to do some minor programming updates in the software to accommodate changes in the A1000 programming). The first A1000 variable frequency drive was already installed with a greenBOX 12 Ecogate system. Consequently we will prepare appropriate Ecogate support documents.

April 2011 - greenBOX 12 Updates

Firmware 2.1.5 and Higher: Solved the problem with a large number of gates selected for Minimal Airflow
If a large number (10-12) of gates was selected for minimal air flow the greenBOX 12 processor was overloaded and it stopped responding to inputs (and therefore the gates did not operate). This problem was solved in the firmware 2.1.5 (and later).

Firmware 2.1.6 Solved a problem with current above 1000 mA to a gate
There is an error in firmware version 2.1.5 and below for the greenBOX 12: if the current to a gate is higher than 1,000 mA (either by using more gates in parallel connected to the same outlet or by gate limit switch malfunction) the greenBOX 12 will stop opening and closing gates. The new firmware version 2.1.6 for greenBOX 12 is resolves this error. The firmware can be changed only with a hardware chip programmer (at the Ecogate office or at the factory in Europe).

Known problem with the current version of the "Setup & Monitoring" Software
If the Ecogate "Setup & Monitoring" software is running, the PC is connected to the greenBOX, and you put the Windows PC to standby, the "Setup and Monitoring" software will be not responsive when you start the notebook again. Workaround: close the Ecogate "Setup & Monitoring" software before putting the notebook into standby mode. We are working on a fix for this problem.

April 2011 - greenBOX MASTER Updates

Touch Screen Keyboard
As more and more people become familiar with touch keyboards which they are using on smart phones and tablets, we also replaced the physical keyboard of the greenBOX MASTER with a touch keyboard – an ideal solution for the harsh environment in the factories. So far response from customers is good.

Automatic Minimal Air Flow "Most Popular Gates"
This new software feature (available on version 1.6.1.9 and later) includes use "last active" (most popular) gates for minimal airflow. This feature significantly simplifies the system setup, allows the system to perform faster (the most commonly used gates are already open), and energy savings are higher.

Duct System Cleaning "by duct zone"
For the GlaxoSmithKline project (one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies) a new greenBOX MASTER feature was requested by the UK Ecogate dealer DCS: cleaning of the duct system "by zone". We would also like to thank you to Artopex Inc., Canada for allowing us to test the cleaning by zone feature at their factory.

Automatic greenBOX MASTER Software Update using a USB Key
As of software version 1.6.1.9 and later it is possible to automatically update the greenBOX MASTER software via a USB key. This feature was developed for NAVY Shipyard installations, where greenBOX MASTER systems cannot be connected to the internet for security reasons, but it can be used on any Ecogate greenBOX MASTER system installation. (The support document about this feature is available in the PDF file).

Automatic greenBOX MASTER Data Download using a USB Key
At a same time we added the possibility to collect data (workstation utilization, electricity consumption & savings) via a USB key – normally the data is sent to the user via email, but if the system cannot be connected to the internet, downloading the data via a USB key is simple alternative option. (Note: the data is downloaded in binary form, it must be converted and added to the database using Ecogate DataMining software.)

Automatic Systems Cross-Starting/Stopping
Sometimes it is required to start system B if system A is running and vice versa – typically it is necessary if the two systems are using a positive fan for each system and they are connected to the same dust collector without a mechanical reverse gate. If you cross-connect the systems via sensors, the systems will start correctly, but they will never stop. The support for automatic start/stop of A & B systems is now built in to the greenBOX MASTER software on an experimental base – it requires manual editing of the setup.xml file. This function is currently being tested on the large installation at the NAVY shipyard – welding systems. If you need this function for your installation, contact us, we will help you setup this function properly via Remote Access.

Remote greenBOX MASTER Access using the Apple iPad
It is now possible to remote access any greenBOX MASTER using an Apple iPad, this is a very convenient way to control the system because the iPad is relatively light and it lasts on battery for almost 10 hours. A condition to use this method is that there needs to be either a Wi-Fi network or cellphone coverage available with the factory (or you can install your on Wi-Fi router for use during installation). The LogMeIn Ignition software for the iPad is available from the App Store for $29.

April 2011 - New Smart Gate (EG2xx SRL) Board

The goal was to create a board that can be installed faster and without mistakes – to make your installations faster and more cost effective:

• New larger terminals to accommodate proper AWG14 power supply cable, it is easier to connect and to disconnect, with better easy-to-understand labels
• 24V DC power supply is now protected against wrong polarity (and 18V AC power supply is not supported to keep connection simple)
• 24V DC power supply is now protected by an automatically resettable fuse (to eliminate the necessity of factory fuse replacement)
• The new terminals for sensor input and Modbus communication are easier to connect and disconnect, with easy-to-understand labels
• High intensity OPEN & CLOSE indicators are visible from a longer distance
• Power supply 24V for the VOLT and CLIP sensors is now protected by an automatically resettable fuse (previously it was protected by a 1.2kohm resistor) to allow connection of more CLIP and VOLT sensors in parallel and to eliminate problems if the wires to a sensor are shorted
• The new board is compatible with the old one, only the terminals are different (newly used terminals are industry standard, Phoenix type, available from many suppliers). The new terminals are delivered with each gate (and with each greenBOX MASTER), therefore it is no longer necessary to order terminals for the Ecogate MASTER system separately.

Note: the greenBOX 12/24 and standard gates will continue to use the old blue/gray terminals.

April 2011 - New 4" Metal Gate

The new metal 4" gate is now available both as the SMART gate EG204SRL and STANDARD gate (EG204). This 4" metal gate has a same proved construction as the 5" to 18" gates and is produced at our Rousinov factory in Europe. The previous 4" plastic and aluminum gates are no longer available.

April 2011 - New Ecogate Data & Power Cable for greenBOX MASTER Systems

The new Ecogate "Data & Power cable E34972" is produced by Belden especially for Ecogate. This cable replaces two separate cables, one for the 24V DC power supply for the gates and one for the Modbus (RS485) communication. By using only one cable in the loop through the whole factory, Ecogate system installation is faster and more professional looking. Using this cable Ecogate saved several electricians several days of work during our last installation for a NAVY Shipyard. By using this special cable your installations will be faster and more cost effective. (The document with Ecogate Data & Power Cable specification is available in the PDF file)

April 2011 - Newly Installed Systems

1. NAVY Shipyard, Bremerton (welding schools, sewing & fiberglass, metal working shops)
2. Universal Forest Products, Oregon (by Econ Energy)
3. Global Woods (by Synergy)
4. Artopex, Canada (by Synergy)
5. Kitchen Craft UK (by DCS)
6. Sauder Woodworking (by Econ Energy)
7. Schumann Printers (printing industry)
8. Fulflex, Brattleboro, VT (chemical industry)
9. VT Industries (new woodworking factory in Indiana)
10. Sheridan Books (printing industry)
11. CBIT Airmax, Canada (by Airmax)
12. Old Colony High School, Rochester, MA (welding shops, woodworking shop)
13. Modern Woodcrafts, Inc., Farmington CT
14. Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

April 2011 - greenBOX 12 2011 Model is Available as of May 2011

New Hardware Features

• The new hardware supports field updatable greenBOX 12 firmware using our "Ecogate Setup and Monitoring" software; this allows for a simple upgrade to the latest firmware version directly at a customer site using a notebook PC.
• The new greenBOX 12 board uses the same terminals as the current model, but it allows for all the terminals to be installed horizontally for a more reliable connection (Note: the terminals must still be ordered separately)
• An input for a negative pressure or the air velocity sensor using industry standard 4-20 mA sensors allows for the monitoring of negative pressure in the duct system on a Windows PC using our "Ecogate Setup and Monitoring" software (and therefore you can also monitor the pressure remotely by using LogMeIn remote access)
• A new 4-20 mA output for the variable frequency drive reference speed (the 4-20mA input is set as default on Ecogate Power MASTER drives by Yaskawa – making installations faster and easier; the 4-20mA output will also allow a longer wire to be run to the VFD without the danger of interference; Note: the old 0-10V output has been removed)
• 24V DC power supply input is now protected against wrong polarity to help avoid mistakes during installation
• The START and STOP contacts for the dust collector are now integrated onto the main board
• The new greenBOX 12 metal enclosure is rubber sealed and slightly larger (the power supply can be installed inside)
• The serial RS-232 connector is now mounted horizontally (it allows the enclosure to be closed with the cable connected)
• A Security Input indicator was added to the main board (to eliminate the combined function of the Bypass and Run indicators)

New Firmware/Software Features

• Field updatable greenBOX 12 firmware
• Displaying the negative pressure/air velocity using appropriate units (for example inches of water column) in the "Ecogate Setup and Monitoring" software
• Smart Minimal Air Flow using the most popular workstations (a similar setting is available on the greenBOX MASTER)
• Additional improvements (improving TEST mode to be more user friendly)

February 2010 - 2010 greenBOX MASTER

First three greenBOX MASTER SRL 2010 units have been successfully installed in the USA, Canada, and the European Union.

greenBOX MASTER, Front View

• greenBOX Dimensions: height 24", width 20", depth 6"
• Power supply: 120 or 240 V / 50 or 60 Hz

What is New or Improved?

The improvements allow for a faster and simpler installation:

1. New separate enclosure for all cable terminals is used, with industrial duty terminals ( Phoenix type; terminals can be removed from enclosure, cable fixed to terminal by using screws, and then connected inside enclosure); all terminals are clearly labeled to prevent mistakes).
2. The RS485 terminating resistor & polarizing resistors can be set by easy to access DIP switches.
3. Electricians don't need to drill openings for cable bushings, a slot for cables with dust –proof foam and cable holders are built-in (cables should be fixed to holders by plastic cable ties).
4. Wall installation holes in the enclosure are predrilled (to eliminate the possibility of metal shavings causing electrical problems).
5. A new larger, heavy-duty LCD monitor is used (with strong front glass).
6. A dust & water-proof keyboard is built-in for easier system setup.
7. The newly designed advanced Ecogate interface board is used for the first time in this greenBOX MASTER SRL model for connecting all necessary inputs/outputs allowing for a faster and easier installation; for example during setup in the previous model it was necessary to manually remove the 24V DC fuses, the new board uses electronic fuses and automatically switches using a MOSFET transistor; for details about improved functionality, please see the user guide.
8. The industrial PC is now in a separate enclosure as user doesn't need to access it (there are no user serviceable parts inside); cooling is provided by a small fan with an inlet air filter.
9. The standard model does not use battery backup, but APC backup is available as an option (we are evaluating the possibility of including APC battery backup in the standard model).
10. New 24V DC/250W power supply modules from XP Power (www.xppower.com) are used to improve energy-efficiency (now 95%), another benefit is wider voltage/frequency input range 80-275V (47-63 Hz). All necessary industrial approvals (UL, CSA) are provided.

View Inside - New greenBOX MASTER


At a same time the Ecogate greenBOX MASTER software was updated to the version 1.6.0.2; we will cover software improvements later in separate document.

View of the Cable Terminals


Want to know more? Contact Ecogate at 888-ECOGATE or info@ecogate.com.

February 2010 - New VOLT Sensor

The new Ecogate VOLT sensor adds to our our portfolio of sensors compatible with Ecogate systems. Unlike the CLIP! sensor which reads the magnetic field of any cable, the VOLT sensor reads any AC or DC voltage.

• The VOLT sensor can be activated by any voltage in the range from 12V to 230V AC or DC (any polarity) – for example you can connect the sensor in parallel to the contactor coil, the power switch, the motor, or the PLC output – the possibilities are endless.
• The output is designed to be connected directly to an Ecogate smart gate or to a greenBOX ONE/12/24 (polarity is independent).

You can download the specification sheet here.
Availability: March 20; list price $59

February 2010 - Article about Installation of the Ecogate System at Miralis, Quebec, Canada

Automated control reduces energy consumption and increases production capacity at Miralis

“As the biggest energy consumer, the dust collection system at Miralis was the obvious target for an energy reduction project,” says Donald Brisson, the company's Director of Operations. According to Brisson, a new on-demand control, installed in fall 2008, has saved the company about $50,000 in annual electricity costs.

Miralis, a manufacturer of mid- and high-end custom kitchen cabinets, operates out of an 11 600 square metre (m 2 ) facility in Saint-Anaclet, Quebec, near Rimouski. The company, a CIPEC Leader in the General Manufacturing Sector, employs 220 full-time people working at about 125 workstations with different equipment.

The dust collection system comprises large air conveyors that evacuate wood dust away from working environments. Brisson explains that equipment at some workstations does not operate continuously, yet conventional dust collection systems operate 100 percent of the time to avoid dust accumulation. Drills and band saws, for instance, are generally used only about 25 percent during the day, compared with panel saws and wide belt sanders, which are used up to 80 percent of the time.

To address this unequal need for ventilation and, thus, energy demand, Miralis hired SyENERGY Integrated Energy Solutions inc. to study the system and implement a solution. Tom Ryan, an engineer at SyENERGY, notes that the Ecogate ® technology offered the best solution, because it addresses ventilation needs for individual equipment while maintaining the required airflow in the ventilation ducts.

“We isolated each individual workstation and considered the workstation network as a whole,” says Ryan. The Ecogate automation program was adapted to the workstations' operating schedules. Ecogate's central control can reduce ventilation for equipment that operates only 20 to 30 percent of the day and can increase ventilation speed to sweep the entire collection system regularly.

The technology is relatively new to Canada, with only Miralis and a Manitoba-based company using it to date. Ryan, however, sees huge potential for the technology to reap energy savings in the wood and printing industries as well as in welding operations.

With the Ecogate technology – at a capital cost of $200,000 prior to incentives – Miralis saved 650 000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of its 1.32-million kWh consumed by the dust collector motors. The technology also allowed the company to increase its capacity by 20 percent. Brisson adds that the increased air velocity in some equipment improved the dust collection system.

You can find the article here.

February 2010 - Anaheim Center for New Energy Technologies Publishes “Success Story” about The Ecogate system installation at RSI home Products, Anaheim

THE CUSTOMER

RSI Home Products, a manufacturer of kitchen, bath, and home organization products, is a self-described “relentless” pursuer of efficiency, cost containment, and continuous improvement. These business principles have helped RSI to grow from $6.1 million in revenue in 1990 to over $700 million in 2007.

THE OPPORTUNITY

RSI wanted to lower the cost to operate two 400-horsepower ventilation systems used remove dust, mist, particles, or fumes in their 675,000 square foot cabinet manufacturing facility in Anaheim, CA.

THE SOLUTION

Ecogate’s patented greenBOX technology, which controls and regulates Industrial Ventilation Exhaust Systems (IVES), had the potential to provide RSI with the ventilation required for safe and efficient operations on far less energy.

While discussing the greenBOX project with their electricity provider, Anaheim Public Utilities (APU), Ecogate and RSI learned their project qualified for $100,000 in incentives. This significantly lowered the installation costs and the payback period for RSI. To learn more about APU’s incentives, go to www.anaheim.net/utilities.

THE RESULTS

According to Ecogate’s initial estimates, the greenBOX product could lower RSI’s energy use by 60% by operating RSI’s ventilation system in a “smarter” manner (i.e. only when it’s needed at each work station). And, after just a few months after installation, the actual results indicate a 61% reduction in energy use, which translates into an annual energy bill savings of $200,000!

You can download full article in PDF document here.

February 2010 - The Largest Investment in Energy Efficiency in SCE’s History

In September 2009, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a landmark final decision that adopts Southern California Edison 2010-2012 energy efficiency portfolio. The approved portfolio represents the largest investment in energy efficiency in SCE’s history —a $1.2 billion investment that will provide more than 3.3 billion kWh of annual energy savings and 727 megawatts of demand reduction.

At the core of SCE’s 2010-2012 energy efficiency portfolio is the California Long-Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan (CLTEESP), adopted by the CPUC in September 2008. The CLTEESP is a roadmap for achieving maximum energy savings in California through the year 2020 and beyond. It articulates a long-term vision, establishes a set of goals, and identifies near-, mid-, and long-term strategies to assist in achieving those goals.

SCE is committed to advancing the long-term ideals of the CLTEESP such as Integrated Demand Side Management. IDSM refers to the coordination of comprehensive energy management solutions encompassing relevant Energy Efficiency, Demand Response and Solar offerings. As part of SCE’s crosscutting strategies to offer IDSM solutions, SCE is offering segment focused solutions to address customers’ energy management needs.

Note: this is great news if your company is located in Southern California – incentives are available for installation of energy efficient systems such as Ecogate on-demand ventilation – not only $0.09 per kWh saved but also an incentive for load reduction of $100 per kW saved. This helps significantly to finance energy saving measures.

February 2010 - Ecogate Systems under Installations and New Projects under Way

The first ECOGATE System in the North American printing industry was installed at Sheridan Books in Chelsea, Michigan. The 100hp collection system serviced all six bindery & trim lines, even when some were not in operation. This created an opportunity for significant energy savings. The Ecogate system has achieved an average energy savings of 56%.


Ecogate signed our first Department of Energy contract with Bonneville Power Authority (BPA) to install 13 On-Demand ventilation systems at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. The Ecogate systems will save energy for applications in the woodworking, metalworking, fiberglass and welding departments. Installations are scheduled to begin in April.



Ecogate dealer SYNERGY finished installation of three MASTER SLR Systems (250 HP, 150 HP, 100 HP) in December 2009 for Ridgewood Industries of Cornwall (A Dorel Company), Ontario, Canada.



Ecogate signed a new contract with VT Industries to design and deliver two On-Demand Ventilation systems for a new plant expansion in Indiana. The Ecogate systems have already been shipped with installation scheduled for April 2010.

    
Three Ecogate systems were installed for JK Adams in Vermont. The systems will be calibrated and commissioned in March 2010. At the same time, a new project for the installation of 7 On-Demand ventilation systems for Fullflex in Brattleboro, Vermont will be started.

August 2009 - Finished Installations

Installation of 100 HP (greenBOX MASTER) and 40 HP systems (greenBOX 12) for Strata Forest Products in Santa Ana, California was finished in July 2009. Incentives from Southern California Edison were approved.

Strata Forest Products, 2600 South Susan St, Santa Ana, California 92704,
www.strataforest.com

August 2009 - Under installation

The following are highlights for some of the Ecogate systems currently under installation: Three 100 HP Systems for Heppner Hardwood; one 100 HP System for Floform Countertop in Winnipeg, Canada; One 40 HP system for The Fine Arts Department of the University of Colorado at Boulder; and two MASTER systems for Sapeli in Jihlava, Czech Republic. Sapeli is installing Ecogate at all their production facilities.



Heppner Hardwood, 3 systems (www.heppnerhardwoods.com)



Floform Countertop, Winnipeg, Canada



Colorado University Boulder, CO



Czech Republic, Jihlava, Sapeli two MASTER systems

Multiple engineering studies have also recently been completed that should result in installations for the printing and publishing industries soon. We’ll keep you posted on our progress.

August 2009 - Case study published by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (New Zealand Government agency) about latest installation of the Ecogate system

A case study was published by the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority about the latest Ecogate installation for Pacific Wood Products in New Zealand. You can download the study in PDF format here. For more information contact official Ecogate Dealer Contact Energy (Ross Berry, Energy Solutions Manager).

August 2009 - greenBOX MASTER, greenBOX 12 – Cleaning when System Stops

Ecogate, Inc. has introduced a new feature for the greenBOX MASTER and greenBOX 12: cleaning “When system stops”. A cleaning function was available on our systems before at regular intervals (for example every hour) or at a fixed minute of each hour. Cleaning when the system stops reduces load (kW) and reduces electricity consumption (kWh). The load is reduced because all workstations are stopped and thus not using electricity; therefore, the total load is lower (power companies monitor peak load in 15 minutes interval). This feature should help our customers save more electricity – it is available as a free software update for all greenBOX MASTER SRL systems and is a standard feature of the greenBOX 12+ (currently in stock).


greenBOX 12 setup with cleaning “When system stops” function


greenBOX MASTER setup with cleaning “When system stops” function

August 2009 - greenBOX 24 – Distributed Installation

The recently developed greenBOX 12+ allows the use of two units combined to control up to 24 gates in one system. The units are connected together by a single RS485 serial cable (shielded, twisted pair). The units can be up to 3,000 ft apart. This helps reduce the length of the cables to the gates and therefore reduces the cable and installation cost. When combined, the units act as single control system, a Windows PC can be connected to one of the units to setup and monitor both the greenBOX units. The greenBOX 12+ control system is currently in stock.


Distributed system using two greenBOX 12 units

August 2009 - Preparing: On-line Systems Monitoring

We are currently developing an online monitoring system for greenBOX MASTER SLR systems. All greenBOX MASTER SLR systems are connected to the internet and can be accessed remotely for monitoring, fine tuning, and upgrading. With the new online monitoring software, you can easily monitor multiple systems on one screen, and, with a single click, you can see details about any system. This makes it possible to monitor all your systems from any internet-connected computer or smart phone with web capability (ie., iPhone, Windows Phone or Blackberry). We are working on a new feature which will display energy savings and workstation utilization report in one click. The system allows you to review all dust collecting systems on one simple page. This will be especially beneficial for customers with multiple dust collecting systems (some our customers are using up to 32 dust collecting systems). This feature should reduce maintenance costs.

August 2009 - New Online Quotation System

We are developing a new online quotation system which will replace the Ecogate wizards. The main benefit is that the system works on an online server and does not require any installation on your local PC. Virtually unlimited number of users can work on different quotations at the same time. It will also prevent multiple quotations for a particular customer by different dealers. It makes it simple to manage all your quotations online from any computer, make multiple versions of the same quotation, and automatically generate and email quote PDF files (with brochures included) to the customer. Beta testing is scheduled to begin next week.

August 2009 - Climate Bill Passed House

The climate bill has successfully passed the House vote and is now scheduled for Senate approval. The bill requires electric utilities to raise energy efficiency by 8 percent. This should create significant new opportunities for Ecogate, Inc.

The Climate Bill Basics:

• Reduce greenhouse gases by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 through a cap-and-trade program.
• Limit emissions from major industrial sources. Emissions from agriculture would be excluded from the cap.
• Control carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels and limit six other greenhouse gases.
• Allow companies to meet emission-limiting targets by investing in offset projects, such as tree planting and forest protection.
• Require electric utilities to produce at least 12 percent of their power from renewable sources such wind and solar energy by 2020, and require as much as 8 percent in energy efficiency savings.
• Impose tighter performance standards on new coal-fired power plants and provide $1 billion a year in development money for capturing carbon dioxide from such plants.
• Establish standards that require new buildings be 30 percent more energy efficient by 2012 and 50 percent more efficient by 2016.
• Protect consumers from rising energy costs by giving rebates and credits to low-income households

May 2009 - Ecogate Wins 3rd Place in Clean Tech Anaheim City Competition

The Anaheim Center for New Energy Technologies (AC-NET) held its first Clean Tech Business Plan Competition on April 15th, 2009 on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. Teams presented their business plans in front of a large audience and to a panel of distinguished judges from the electric, water, and venture capital industries. Taking third place was Ecogate, Inc., a company headquartered in North Hollywood, CA that focuses on designing, manufacturing and marketing proprietary control systems for industrial manufacturing customers. The company's technology is designed to transform classically designed Industrial Ventilation Exhaust Systems (IVES) into energy-efficient On-Demand systems. Ecogate, Inc. was awarded $5,000.



Some of these winning technologies will be tested by the City of Anaheim at the facilities of its water and electric Public Utilities. "By embracing new technologies we will be able to operate more efficiently in the long-term and sustain our earth's precious resources. This is equally as important as supporting the development of new companies that are trying to bring new efficiency driven products and systems to market," commented Marcie Edwards, General Manager of Anaheim Public Utilities.

Competition judges for the event included Perry Cole, Energy Capital Partners; Steve Block, Tech Coast Angels; Gary Augusta, OCTANe; Timothy Brick, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; and Ron Davis, Burbank Water & Power.

For more information on the Clean Tech Business Plan Competition and AC-NET, please visit www.ACNET-Anaheim.net.

May 2009 - New Projects for Floform & Colorado University Under Way

We are working on several new large systems using our high-end Ecogate greenBOX MASTER SRL system, including a project for Floform Inc, in Winnipeg, Canada and a system for Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado. For the both projects we are designing duct system using our duct optimizer software. In both systems additional significant savings will be achieved because less air is ventilated out of building, therefore savings will be achieved on make-up air.

May 2009 - New greenBOX 12+ Control Unit is Available

We have upgraded the greenBOX 12: the main difference is that two units can be combined to create larger system for up to 24 workstations. Two units are connected by using RS485 communication – distance between the units can be up to 3000 ft. New add-on board is now built-in for easier connection of the commercial dust collectors from Oneida, Grizzly, Penn State, etc.

1. HARDWARE – ADDITIONAL BOARD + RS485 IC upgrade
   1. Added simple control of the commercial dust collectors via START pulse NO contact and STOP NC pulse contact
   2. Allows using up to 230V AC on the START, STOP, and RUN contacts; with appropriate insulation distances on the PCB to support high voltage
   3. Upgraded RUN contact to allow internal 24V DC power connection for contactor coils etc. (via fuse)
   4. RS-485 intergraded circuit upgrade (for expansion of the system to MASTER-SLAVE)
   5. Larger enclosure (upgraded enclosure hinges; better cable bushing locations)
      
2. FIRMWARE/SOFTWARE UPDATE
   1. Changed PC program dimension to 600 x 1024 to fit mini-notebooks screens.
   2. Scan COM ports in range 1...8 or more (instead current range 1...6); commercial USB to serial adapters are very often installed as a COM 8.
   3. Support of the Vista and Vista 64-bit;
   4. Added cleaning function “ Start cleaning when dust collector stops”; which will run cleaning after dust collector Off delay, just before system stop
   5. Open/Save greenBOX settings to a file; for better customer support, as back up, and presets for different system configuration, etc.
   6. Expansion to MASTER – SLAVE control units to create distributed system for 2x12 = 24 workstations. Communication between units via RS485 (this port is already built-in).
      
3. NEW OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
   • We will offer a mini-notebook with Ecogate software and USB to serial adapter installed + LogMeIn + Skype for remote customer support
   • We will offer a USB to serial adapter with 3 feet of cable, tested under Windows XP and Windows Vista 64-bit
   • We will offer external contactor for a small dust collectors (EG400, equipped with a 24V DC contactor + overload protection)

May 2009 - New greenBOX ONE Control Unit

The greenBOX ONE unit has been updated to the version 4.03 (installed in yellow zinc plated enclosure, previous version of greenBOX ONE was using a green painted enclosure)



Typical greenBOX ONE applications:

1. Stand alone installation of one or more Ecogates without a control system; the RUN contact can be utilized to energize the contactor coil to start the dust collector.
2. To connect 4” aluminum gates EG204C to the greenBOX MASTER SRL
3. To connect pneumatically operated gates to the greenBOX MASTER SRL

Note: this is exactly same PC board which is used for the SRL gates; therefore this unit is fully compatible with the greenBOX MASTER SRL system.

May 2009 - Ecogate System Additional Savings with Return Air

Significant savings can be achieved by the fact that less air is ventilated out of the building; therefore saving can be achieved on make-up air.

1. Based on measurements taken today in Canada (near Winnipeg ) the return air of the dust collecting system is 15F degree cooler compared to the air inside the factory (inside factory = 68.5F, return air is  53.5F, temperature outside is 8F).
2. The dust collecting system Air volume is so high that during one hour all air inside the factory is exchanged.
3. Based on these measurements Martin Bina, Manitoba Hydro engineer made calculations of the electricity savings (fan operation), and additional gas savings; gas-heating savings represents 36% of the electricity savings (this number will be several times higher if return air is not used).
4. A similar approach can be used if a factory is using air conditioning and outside temperature is higher (example: Xerox – toner production, Vesuvius- ceramics material etc).

Three Ecogate MASTER Systems installed in Tijuana, Mexico for RSI Home Products in January 2009

Three Ecogate MASTER Systems (Two 300HP and one 400HP) installed in Tijuana, Mexico for RSI Home Products in January 2009. The RSI Home Products Door Factory BP500 is now fully equipped with two of the latest serial Ecogate MASTER SLR System. Another system was installed in the RSI Kitchen factory BP510, it was necessary to slightly redesign the ducts to achieve the highest possible system efficiency. System performance is monitored by using LogMeIn remote access.

Ecogate product Updates (Gates, greenBOX 12 Software, greenBOX MASTER SLR Software)

Updated Gates

The 4" aluminum gates were updated with a plastic rotating blade protector and gearbox protector. The gate electronics were also upgraded to improve gate functionality. The 4" aluminum gates are currently in stock and available for immediate shipping.

The 2009 aluminum 4” gate model with new rotating blade protector:

The gear protection:

5” to 18” Gate Update

All new 5” to 18” gates designed with a heavy duty German engineered motor from Dunken Motoren.



Highlights:

1. Dunken Motoren is an Alcatel company with worldwide acclaim for durability and performance excellence.
2. Ecogate’s new auto gate uses a planetary gearbox that can withstand high torque on the gear mechanism.
3. The mechanical limit switch has been replaced with a new magnetic limit switch, which is resistant to malfunction caused by dust.
4. The improved gate motor enclosure now uses a zinc plated metal incorporating large bushings for secure cable connections.
5. An “LED” light indicators on the gate shows green while opening and red while closing.
6. Gates consume NO energy after open/close.
7. A new rubber gate seal inhibits dust build up inside the gate

greenBOX MASTER SLR software update - compatibility with ABB, Danfoss, Omron, and Yaskawa VFDs

greenBOX MASTER software update version 1.4.1.37. The main difference is that this version supports Yaskawa, Omron, ABB, and Danfoss drives. There are several improvements on the main page (green column in the workstation section shows the number of open gates in graphical form, better indication of the open/closed gates & sensors, Ecogate logo added and other minor improvements).

greenBOX 12 PC software update

PC software 1.0.0.23 solving the problem with rare communication problem between Windows PC and greenBOX 12 (with certain on/off delays combination filled in the setup page). There is no change of the greenBOX 12 firmware. Please note that combination of the two greenBOX units for one dust collector is not recommended and not supported (after testing one such installation). Updated User Guide (for new version of the gates, updated CLIP! sensor connections) and updated presentation about greenBOX 12 is also available.

Note: we did not discover any other firmware bugs in the greenBOX 12 (other than the rare communication problem).

Ecogate now offers mini-notebook for greenBOX 12 and greenBOX PRO with pre installed software and with Remote Access for customer support

Benefits:

• Pre installed Ecogate software, pre installed USB to serial adapter (people sometimes had problem with proper installation procedure)
• Remote Access to the system via LogMeIn (similar to the greenBOX MASTER SRL); should be connected to the network over wired Ethernet or wireless WI-FI
• Skype Communication built-in for customer support

Windows XP Home, Intel Atom 1.3GHz processor or faster; 1GB RAM, 50 MB or more free hard disk space; recommended screen resolution 1024x768; USB port; Ethernet port; built-in wireless Wi-Fi b/g card; Recommended: microphone + camera + speaker built-in for Skype communication.

Software installed:

1. Latest version of the Ecogate greenBOX 12 Monitoring & Setup program.
2. USB to serial adapter software driver from delivered CD (COM port must be set in properties to 1…6 for proper communication with greenBOX 12).
3. LogMeIn Remote Access software, latest version available from LogMeIn web site (note: must be installed at customer site when connected to LAN either by Ethernet or Wi-Fi)
4. Skype software (for voice-video communication for support purposes)
5. Disabled all stand-by features in the Control Panel to ensure that notebook will to go automatically to sleep mode.

Energy Efficiency Is The True Alternative Energy

By Karim Salamatian -- Global financial markets are a mess, credit markets are frozen, we are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime sell-off in commodity prices, many of the largest economies are in recession, a President Elect Obama will take office in 2009 and everyone is suspicious of their counterparties. Not only is this backdrop daunting, it is leading many investors to conclude that the Clean Technology investment theme will be boring (from a positive return perspective) for at least the next 12 months. Although we at Viresco agree that the underlying headwinds may push investment away from renewable energy, we feel Clean Technology returns will become even more exciting because investment will be broader and there will be a renewed focus on Energy Efficiency, which we believe has the greatest positive global impact on climate change, CO2 emission abatement, corporate profitability and energy sustainability. Energy Efficiency is a difficult proposition for industry and consumers to adopt because it implies sacrifice or loss of convenience. Because of this, the push for Energy Efficiency historically came from governments in the form of higher Energy Efficiency standards. While this is still largely the case, the merits of Energy Efficiency investment stand alone in the form of profitability enhancement and CO2 emission reductions – both without sacrifice. We are certain that higher Energy Efficiency standards coupled with increased private and public investment in Energy Efficiency technologies will lower global CO2 emissions while simultaneously assisting corporate profits. McKinsey & Company estimates that US$170 billion in annual global Energy Efficiency spend for the next 13 years will generate US$900 billion in annual savings beyond 2020 and deliver 50% of the CO2 abatement required to cap the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at 500 parts per million. If we stand idle, atmospheric concentrations of CO2 would reach 500 parts per million by 2050 and over 700 by 2100. Interestingly enough, 60% of global Energy Efficiency spend will come from China and other developing markets. As a new Clean Technology hedge fund, we sometimes face investor skepticism stemming from the notion that it is a new or immature space that has unpredictable returns. In actual fact, Clean Technology investing, with a heavy emphasis on Energy Efficiency, dates back to 1973 when OPEC cut oil supplies forcing consumers, industry and governments to address the usage and cost of energy. Developed nations have promoted Energy Efficiency since at least this period, and Clean Technology investing is at least that old. 2008's record high crude oil price was the wake-up call for emerging markets, much like it was in 1973 for developed economies. Emerging markets are forced to embrace Energy Efficiency due to the rising cost of fuel. Their adoption has little to do with climate change, but the end result is the same. Once Energy Efficiency is achieved, it is unlikely that industry and/or consumers will revert back because the savings are material and immediate. At the prices we saw earlier this year—$145 crude oil, $12 natural gas and $140 coal—combined with rising government support, investment to develop renewable energies is wise. However, with oil prices dropping to four-year-lows, the only economic justification for investing in Clean Technologies is government subsidies, which are moving targets. Renewable energies are simply not cost competitive at today's fossil fuel prices. Instead, the low cost advantages of Energy Efficiency solutions are magnified and are attracting considerably more investment dollars. We believe this will fuel the decades of strong growth in the Energy Efficiency category.

Making The Case…

We present a sample case study on the merits of investing in Energy Efficiency. In our view Energy Efficiency is the low-cost abatement alternative. Electric motors that run industrial equipment, home appliances, HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and other electrical devices consume 65% of the total electricity in developed nations and in larger emerging economies. Replacing a basic single speed 250hp industrial motor system with a same-sized variable speed motor system reduces electricity consumption by 25% or 408,000 KW/h annually and nearly 900 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year will be eliminated. The associated cost is roughly US$25,000. In contrast, accomplishing this through a renewable energy source such as solar PV or wind, the comparable capital cost is US$175,000 or US$43,000, respectively. This makes a lot of business sense in any economic environment because the payback on investment is <1 year versus 6 years for solar PV and 1.5 years for wind. Let's take it further – if the U.S. reduces the total motor electricity consumption by 25%, 401 million tonnes (7% of total US CO2 emissions) of CO2 emissions will be removed from the atmosphere annually at a cost of US$41 billion. The same can be accomplished via solar PV or wind, but at a cost of US$278 billion or US$68 billion, respectively. This excludes the impact higher efficiency can have on the transportation industry which is responsible for 21% of the world's CO2 emissions. Yes, there will be advancements in renewable energy technology that will lower costs in the future, but the same can be said about Energy Efficiency. The Energy Efficiency opportunity is enormous for all stakeholders. It is clear that investors can achieve higher returns-on-capital via Energy Efficiency than through alternative energy. In emerging markets, private and public sectors cannot afford the costs to develop alternative forms of energy. Governments are not positioned to mandate renewable energy standards because the cost to economic growth will be destructive. Therefore, Energy Efficiency is the only viable solution. I along with our investment team are advantageously based in an emerging market, Vietnam, so we witness the everyday need for pollution control in an economy where the priority is to keep costs low to foster capitalism. Politicians in emerging markets talk about battling climate change as a way to promote or preserve trade relations with the developed world. The reality is that policy making and enforcement are disappointing. In markets such as China , Vietnam and India , CO2 emission abatement is an afterthought, so there needs to be solutions where it is a by-product. Through Energy Efficiency investment, companies operating in these countries truly achieve a double bottom line via lower costs, high IRRs and high CO2 emission reduction. This is a theme we along with other Clean Technology investors can capitalize upon in emerging markets. We are not wholly dismissing renewable energies because one cannot denounce the long-term value they add to the overall solution (plus, we allocate a material portion of our portfolio to solar, wind and geothermal), but rather promoting Energy Efficiency as an often overlooked but key component to a successful Clean Technology investment strategy. As more investment is allocated to developing motors, lighting, battery technologies, power transmission, power systems, converters, generators, advanced metering, automated electronics, heat exchangers, boilers and automotive engines, the space will garner broader appeal and just maybe not seem so boring after all.

Karim Salamatian is a Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Viresco International Capital Management , which manages a long/short hedge fund that invests in global Clean Technology. Salamatian has been actively investing in Clean Technology and emerging markets since early 2007. Prior to joining Viresco, Salamatian was a managing director and top-ranked equity analyst with BMO Capital Markets in Toronto , Canada .

EnergyEcon Project for Northway Industries Awarded USDA Grant

The 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant of $50,000 was awarded to Northway Industries President Don O'Hora on October 28 th 2008 by Gary H. Grooves, State Director, USDA Rural Development and Susan Mathias, Congressman Christopher Carney Regional Coordinator. EnergyEcon installed multiple Ecogate energy saving systems for Northway Industries with projected energy savings of 53%.

More ECOGATE MASTER SLR Systems Installed

          

The first Ecogate serial system in North America was installed in Shutler Cabinets during the summer of 2008. We are happy to report that another two large serial systems have been installed for RSI Home Products in Anaheim. Another three serial systems are under installation in Miralis, Quebec, Canada. Three more systems will be installed before the end of the year for RSI Home Products in Mexico. Several more systems are currently under installation in Europe. One of which is for a brand new factory built by the Sapeli Corporation.

One of the best advantages of the new serial system is full remote access via internet: this means that the system can be controlled, monitored, and setup from any location on earth with an internet connection as if you were standing right in front of the controller; from your home PC (or Mac), from the office and even from your iPhone.

The new system is easy to setup and maintain. The entire system can be setup using the simple tree structure and the add workstation and add system functions. The system measures all gate and drive activity for easy maintenance and in case of a failure can send an email to a supervisor to report the error.

New Projects Underway with Lockheed Martin and Efficiency Vermont

Ecogate prepared several new projects in California for Lockheed Martin Business Process Solutions. These projects include Trend Offset Printing, Ball Container, and Fender Guitar.

Ecogate also cooperated with Efficiency Vermont on six projects in different industries in Vermont including Questek chemical production, JK Adams, and Fab-Tech.

Two greenBOX 12 Systems with variable speed drives were installed for Specialized Milling in California . Two more systems are currently under installation for Createus Wood Products in Ontario, California and Swaner Hardwood Company in Burbank, California. Two greenBOX 12 Systems were also installed in Texas for Vesuvius, ceramic materials producer.

Agreement Between Ecogate and Contact Energy, New Zealand Signed

Cory Franklin, Commercial Manager of Contact Energy and Ross Berry, Energy Solution Manager of Contact Energy visited Ecogate in North Hollywood, California for training to setup Ecogate systems. One month later a distribution agreement between Ecogate and Contact Energy was signed. Contact Energy is one of the biggest utility companies in New Zealand . They sell the Ecogate system in a very innovative way: if a system is deemed plausible for the customer, it is installed with no upfront cost to the customer. The system is paid for by the customers electricity bill, the customer is charged their original total electricity cost until the system is paid for by the savings in electricity. As a result of this agreement the first two systems in New Zealand were installed in August, 2008.

Presentation About the Ecogate System for Hydro Quebec

Ales Litomisky made a presentation during his September visit in Canada to Hydro Quebec, the largest utility company in the province of Quebec. The electricity cost is relatively low compared to the US, but the federal government and province are offering high combined incentives up to 18 cents per kWh saved. Energy efficient managers were looking for a system which can both save energy and maintain proper transport velocities in the duct system. As a result of this meeting the incentive of more than $100,000 for the Miralis installation was approved.

Contracting with Lockheed Martin Business Division on Energy Efficiency

Ecogate Inc. is working as a contractor for the Lockheed Martin Business Division on energy efficient projects in California. Lockheed Martin has an agreement with SC Edison and PG & E to do energy audits and propose energy efficient systems to various industrial customers. If the potential customer has an industrial ventilation system Ecogate, Inc. cooperates with Lockheed Martin on these projects. Several projects were finished for wood working facilities and future projects are planned for an offset printing facility.

Project for US Navy Shipyard in Bremerton, WA

Ecogate, Inc. finished a study to evaluate on demand ventilation system savings opportunities for US Navy Shipyard in Bremerton in Washington. There are more than fourteen industrial ventilation systems with a total fan size over 1100 HP. Among them are several dust collecting systems for wood working shops, multiple welding shops, and more. Proposed electricity savings per year are higher than one million kilowatt hours per year.

First Ecogate MASTER System with new serial technology installed in the US

Ecogate, Inc. developed a new high end on demand ventilation system with simplified cable routing- only one cable is run throughout the factory to connect all the gates, variable speed drives, and sensors. This significantly reduces installation costs and time. The system is also based on an industrial PC witch makes the system more cost effective and allows full remote access to the system. Remote access allows monitoring, setup, updating, data mining from any PC connected to the internet. First such system was installed in July 2008 in Shutler Cabinet in Ohio. Nineteen such systems are already installed in the EU and under installation are three systems for the company Miralis in Quebec, Canada. Two more systems are under installation for RSI Home Products in Anaheim, California. To see more details visit the product page for the greenBOX MASTER SLR.

Product Updates

New pricelist was uploaded to our website. For installation in small/medium sized shops greenBOX 12 control system is recommended; for small/medium factories greenBOX 12 or greenBOX PRO control systems are recommended; for larger factories the new greenBOX MASTER SLR is recommended. Gates are now available as standard Ecogates and new Gates Ecogates are available for the SLR system (with serial communication board built in). Standard gates can be connected to the serial system using a greenBOX ONE unit. From August 2008 gates are delivered with new Dunken Motoren gear motors with a strong planetary gearbox. Installation for greenBOX 12 and greenBOX PRO now allows one CAT-5 cable between the greenBOX and the gate, and the CLIP! can be connected directly to the gate.

New Dealers

Ecogate, Inc. welcomes new dealers: Contact Energy from New Zealand (largest power company in New Zealand) and SYeNERGY from Quebec, Canada. For contact details see our dealers page. Contact Energy already ordered three systems witch will be installed for the New Zealand customers in August 2008. SYeNERGY sold the first three systems in Canada to Miralis (The incentives for the Ecogate system installation were approved by Hydro Quebec).

RSI Home Products Ecogate System Projects

In July 2008 Ecogate signed an agreement with RSI Home Products headquarters in Anaheim, California. The goal of the agreement is to do projects for all RSI factories in the US and Mexico, create a business case and where appropriate install an Ecogate systems. Two systems for the Anaheim facility are under installation and projects for all other factories are under way.

December 2007: greenBOX 8 is no longer available

The new greenBOX 12 replaced the older greenBOX 8 control unit; greenBOX 8 is no longer available from December 2007. All information regarding greenBOX 8 was moved to the Legacy Systems part of our site.

December 2007: New greenBOX MASTER Installations

Ecogate MASTER Systems 300 HP, two PRO systems (100 and 125 HP), finished installation

Great Lake Woods, Inc., 3303 John F. Donnelly Drive , Holland , Michigan 49424
http://www.greatlakewoods.com/

EnergyEcon finished installation of the three MASTER Systems for Great Lake Woods in Holland , Michigan . This project will involve three large Ecogate systems designed for a 300 HP, 125 HP and 100 HP dust collection system totaling over 114,000 CFM.   Keith Malmstadt of Great Lake Woods says that he is continually searching for good projects to improve Operational Efficiency and combat the adverse effects of rising Energy Costs.

Three Ecogate MASTER Systems 75 HP each (under installation as December 2007)

Loewen, 77 Highway 52 West, Steinbach , Manitoba R5G 1B2 , Canada
http://www.loewen.com/home.nsf/index

Even though the Loewen Windows electricity cost is low at $0.03/kWh (served by Manitoba Hydro), it makes sense to install energy saving on-demand ventilation system, because an on-demand system is much smaller (ducts, filters, fans and fan motors are all smaller) and less expensive, This offsets the cost of the necessary equipment for the on-demand systems (gates, sensors, PLC's, variable speed drives). Also important is the fact that Manitoba Hydro can export saved electricity to the USA at higher prices than on the local market (Manitoba Hydro supports this project)

Two Ecogate MASTER Systems (under installation as December 2007)

Kendor Wood, Inc. 80 Locust Drive, P.O. Box 362, Mayfield, KY 42066, (800) 231-3798
http://kendorwood.com/~index.php

Ecogate MASTER System 250 HP(under installation as December 2007)

4990 W. Greenbrooke Dr. SE , Grand Rapids , MI 49215 , 616-698-7495)
Paladin Industry
http://www.paladinind.com/index.htm

European Installations by Hoffman Systems

Hoffman Systems finished istallation of four 37 kilowatt greenBOX MASTER systems for SYKORA company. The new MASTER system with serial communications was used for the installation. Another two systems for the same customer are in production.

Hoffman Systems also finished istalling two 37 kilowatt MASTER systems for SAPELI company. SAPELI has already been using four aditional Ecogate MASTER systems for several years. Hoffman Systems also installed a greenBOX 12 system in Slovakia.

 

November 2007: New Canadian Dealer

Ecogate welcomes SYeNERGY Integrated Energy Solutions Inc. as a new dealer located in Montreal, Canada. You can visit their website at: www.syenergy.ca

October 2007: New CLIP! Sensor available

The new easy to install CLIP! Sensor is available for delivery. This sensor works on a new principle; it senses a magnetic field. This is the frist sensor on the market that can read the magnetic field directly from the power cable to the motor. It is compatible with greenBOX 12, greenBOX PRO, greenBOX MASTER control systems. Read more about this sensor.

September 2007: New greenBOX 12 available

The new cost effective greenBOX 12 control unit is now being produced and is available for delivery. The first units were already installed in USA, Australia, Canada, and EU. The unit can control up to 12 workstations each with up to 3 gates, it can also control a variable frequency drive to adjust the fan speed. Read more about this control unit.

May 2007: The next generation Ecogate MASTER System tested in Europe

The next generation of the Ecogate MASTER system was installed in the woodworking factory FRAMOZ in the Czech Republic , European Union. The setup was much faster compared with existing greenBOX MASTER (setup is highly automated, advanced testing procedures are implemented), operation is till now without any problem. The system testing will continue.

February 2007: Ecogate has been selected for the Cleantech XII. Forum in San Francisco

The Ecogate system will be presented at the Cleantech clean technology forum in San Francisco on February 19-21, see www.cleantech.com. More than 600 professionals, private and institutional investors will be present.

January 2007: Ecogate has moved!

Ecogate Inc. has moved to a new location in North Hollywood. 

Ecogate, Inc.

5669 Whitnall Hwy.

North Hollywood, CA 91601

Our toll free number 888-ECOGATE (888-326-4283) and email is the best way to reach us. The old phone number 818-547-4007 and fax number 818-547-4005 are automatically forwarded to the new phone numbers. The new phone number is 818-506-6016 and the new fax number is 818-506-6971.

Driving Directions

	Instruction	For
1	Take CA-134 [Ventura Fwy]  West (Ventura)	8.0 mi
2	Turn RIGHT onto Ramp Cahuenga Blvd / Hollywood	0.2 mi
3	Turn RIGHT (North) onto Cahuenga Blvd	1.3 mi
4	Turn RIGHT (East) onto Burbank Blvd	0.1 mi
5	Turn LEFT (North) onto Strohm Ave	174 yds
6	Turn LEFT (North-West) onto Whitnall Hwy	54 yds
	Arrive 5669 Whitnall Hwy, North Hollywood, CA 91601

 

 

December 2006: Installation of the Ecogate system is finished at the University of Southern California

The installation of the Ecogate system is finished at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry - Oral Health Center, Los Angeles, CA.  The Ecogate technology (Ecogates, greenBOX PRO+, Power MASTER PRO by Yaskawa) is hidden, per their request (built-in tables and control system is installed outside). The main reason why the Ecogate system was chosen was because of the noise reduction, which is very important while classes are in session.  Other benefits are the significantly reduced cost of air conditioning and the reduced cost of the fan operation. The professor is using a microscope with a built-in video camera, and the picture is projected on to a large screen.  Every student has his own dental drill, ProLab by BienAir.  If a student starts the drill then the Ecogate System automatically opens the ventilation gate and adjusts the fan speed to achieve the proper ventilation level.

 

December 2006 : Framoz s.r.o. installation in the Czech Republic

The latest installation of three Ecogate MASTER Systems for the company  FRAMOZ s.r.o. http://www.framoz.cz/   in the Czech Republic (European Union), producer of the custom interiors and custom furniture:

The s ystem s will be installed by the end of this year. One of the system s will be installed based on the new technology - the PLC is replaced by an industrial PC with serial MODBUS communication with the gates (to save significantly on installation cost s ). This new technology will be c a r e fully evaluated in this installation before it is used for other instalations.

Ecogate On-Demand Ventilation System at the World Energy Engineering Conference 2006

The Ecogate On-Demand Ventilation system was presented at the World Energy Engineering Conference in Washington D.C. September 13-15 th 2006.  This was the 29 th annual WEEC organized by the Association of Energy Engineers, and was be held in the Washington convention center, Hall D (for more information, visit their website at www.energycongress.com ).  Ales Litomisky presented his paper on On-Demand Ventilation Systems, Friday at the Industrial Energy Management session A4, September 15 th from 9:30am-10:30am.  The WEEC expo and workshops provides a unique opportunity to discover the latest strategies to reduce energy costs

Ecogate - IWF Show Report, Atlanta 2006 

IWF 2006 Technical Conference Program: "Got Wood Dust!!! How do you handle it?"

The biggest interest about the Ecogate System at the IWF Woodworking Expo this year was caused by the presentation of Roger Boyer of Designer Showcases, which was a part of the IWF 2006 Technical Conference program titled, "Got Wood Dust!!! How do you handle it?" He started his presentation about on-demand ventilation systems, by stating that for most people dust-collection systems are unwanted evil.  He then went on to explain how factories could turn a profit on their dust-collection systems by upgrading them to on-demand ventilation systems.

There were 275 attendees at the conference. So, when Roger proceeded to ask them how many of them knew what the 'fan law' was (basic fan law explaining the energy saving opportunity in ventilation systems), he was surprised to learn, only three knew.  About the same number were familiar of the principle of a variable speed drive to regulate the performance of the fan of their dust collectors.  Roger then went on to explain step-by-step how the on-demand ventilation system works and how it can save energy.  To his surprise, after the presentation was over, 50 attendees followed him into the next room where he spent more than a half of an hour answering many different questions regarding the use of the Ecogate system.  We should be very excited about Roger's presentation; he had the attention of many of the important decision-making attendees at the conference. Also we could learn from him how to make easy-to understand presentation to non-professionals.

"Hurdle High Energy Costs with Ecogate" - Nordfab/Ecogate Booth  (Hall B, Booth 5134)

            Over at the Nordfab/Ecogate booth, the greenBOX PRO+ system was presented.  The system was connected to a 10HP variable speed drive with a real motor connected, along with motorized gates and sensors simulated by toggle switches.  On the notebook PC, with the "Ecogate Setup and Monitoring" software, it was possible to display the air-volume reduction obtained by closing the gates, and to also display the achieved electricity savings.

New 4" Aluminum Sealed Gate

            A new Ecogate product was introduced this year at the IWF show, the industrial aluminum 4" gate (EG204C).  This gate is sealed, and uses an advanced Microchip microprocessor control.  The gate was specially designed to be used in mist-collection system applications, but can also be used in other industries, such as: dental labs, food processing, pharmaceutical and also woodworking factories. New 4"gates are in stock.

A New Sensor Prototype

Also introduced was a prototype of a new type of industrial sensor.  This sensor senses the magnetic field of the motors or the magnetic field read directly from the cables (it is not necessary to cut the cables).  The sensor reads the magnetic field from outside the cable. This sensor would radically simplify the installation of industrial systems, and is compatible with all Ecogate systems.

greenBOX for 12 Workstations 

           We also handed out brochures of the proposed greenBOX 12 control unit, which should control up to 12 workstations, and is intended for industrial-duty installations.  The functionality of the greenBOX 12 is identical to the greenBOX PRO+ (within the limit of the 12 workstations), which means this unit can also control also the variable speed drive via analog output.  The software to setup the greenBOX 12 on Windows PC is nearly identical to the software for the greenBOX PRO+.  The PC can be connected to the greenBOX 12 by using a serial channel or by USB with a simple adapter (USB to serial).  The first delivery of the greenBOX 12 control units should be available 3-4 months from now.
      

 

Improvements among the Filter Technologies

            Among the main dust-collection system producers, there were many important improvements among the filter technologies from companies like Torit, Scientific Dust Collectors, LMC, and MAG.  I was personally impressed by the Dura Life and Ultra-Life nano-fiber filters by Torit ( http://www.duralifebags.com/   ), by the new filter cleaning technology by MAG ( http://www.macequipment.com/home.cfm ), and "Mach 2" filter cleaning technology by Scientific Dust Collectors  http://www.scientificdustcollectors.com/vertical.htm - PDF brochure is available on their web site).  The filter cleaning technology by MAG uses, according to the company's measurements, about two times less energy for the filter cleaning than competing technologies (see MAG's company website at http://www.macequipment.com/home.cfm ). 

            This year, we had about 200 visitors during the show, and about 15% were from companies with annual revenues of $50 million or more.  Some of those attendees visited our booth thanks to the outstanding presentation given by Roger Boyer.

September 2006: Ecogate On-Demand Ventilation System at the World Energy Engineering Conference 2006

The Ecogate On-Demand Ventilation system will be presented at the World Energy Engineering Conference in Washington D.C. September 13-15 th 2006.  This is the 29 th annual WEEC organized by the Association of Energy Engineers, and will be held in the Washington convention center, Hall D (for more information, visit their website at www.energycongress.com ).  Ales Litomisky will be presenting his paper on On-Demand Ventilation Systems, Friday at the Industrial Energy Management session A4, September 15 th from 9:30am-10:30am.  The WEEC expo and workshops provides a unique opportunity to discover the latest strategies to reduce energy costs.

September 2006: USDA Announces $17.5 Million Investment in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

The USDA secretary, Mike Johanns, announced the award of $17.5 million in renewable energy and energy efficiency program grants to 375 recipients in 36 states today.  Among those is the EnergyEcon project for the The Great Lake Woods Inc.  The grant amount is $78,576.  This grant will pay for 25% of the cost of the Ecogate On-Demand Ventilation system.  Solicitation is now open for the next round of grants to be given out for next year.  If your customers are companies with less than 500 employees and those companies are registered in a city with less than 50,000 people, than you might want to consider applying for the grant money.

July 2006: Ecogate MASTER Systems for SWN Moravia, European Union

A current Ecogate European installation for the company SWN Moravia (producer of the wood stairscases http://www.swn.cz/?lg=eng&m=3&k=0  ), five MASTER systems. Installation should be finished by the end of July.

Three Power MASTER units are combined in one enclosure (to save the space).

July 2006: Installation of the Ecogate System for the Houfek Company, European Union

The showroom of HOUFEK (a producer of the woodworking machines) will be equipped with an Ecogate system during next month. The Ecogate system will be offered automatically with the sale of woodworking machinery. Installation is currently in progress. The showroom of HOUFEK (a producer of the woodworking machines) will be equipped with an Ecogate system during next month. The Ecogate system will be offered automatically with the sale of woodworking machinery. Installation is currently in progress.

May 2006: Introduction of NEW 4" Aluminum Gate

Ecogate is pleased to announce production on the newest addition to the Ecogate product line, a 4" aluminum gate EG204C . The new heavy-duty gate comes with a Teflon-type sealing and is controlled by a microprocessor with magnetic limit switches.   The aluminum gate is perfect for use in all types of industries.  A great new benefit of the gate is the new style of blade that prevents outside air from being leaked into the duct and prevents the debris, fume, or mist from leaving it, also making the gate quieter. This gate will prove to be extremely useful, especially in industries that include oil mist applications, dental labs, and food processing. The first five hundred 4" aluminum gates will arrive from the factory by the end of May. 

May 2006: New Orleans Industrial Technology Conference

In support of economic growth in New Orleans, the Energy Systems Laboratory, in partnership with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station and the Texas A&M University System, hosted an Industrial Energy Technology Conference this month from May 9 th - May 12 th .  Ales Litomisky was selected to speak at this annual two-day conference that was initially created in 1979 to meet the needs of the industrial energy community.  Mr. Litomisky presented statistical data about the average use of workstations in different industries using Industrial Ventilation Systems.  His findings on the subject were quite interesting.  When factory managers were asked about the use of workstations in their factories, they reported that their workstations were in use about 90% of the time.  What Mr. Litomisky discovered was that this estimation was incorrect, and in fact the use of their workstations was much less.

( Ales Litomisky's paper is available in PDF format upon request)

May 2006: Edison Showcase of Oakwood Interiors

Ecogate and Edison's Technology Department have joined forces to present a number of showcases of Ecogate's technology in the factories of different industries.  The first showcase involves a producer of fine furniture named Oakwood Interiors in Ontario, CA.  Before installation of the Ecogate system at Oakwood Interiors, Edison arrived on location to take measurements of the consumption of the existing dust-collection system.  After installation is complete, Edison will return to take more measurements, and the results of their findings will be published.  Installation for Oakwood Interiors begin in mid-May.  Other woodworking factories will also be invited to experience for themselves the savings and other benefits the Ecogate system offers.  Ecogate is also working with companies in other industries, such as the chemical industry, to showcase the Ecogate system.  Oakwood Interiors is located at 1333 South Bon View Ave., Ontario, CA 91761.  Wayne Burkhardt at Oakwood Interiors has been working closely with Ecogate in overseeing the installation of the system.  He can be reached by phone at (909) 930-3524 or by email at wayne@fineoak.com .

May 2006: Sauder Woodworking Installation of ECOGATE MASTER System with High-Tech Options

Ecogate is excited about the latest version of the MASTER system currently being installed at Sauder Woodworking.  At the request of Sauder Woodworking, we are using the new

Omron CJ-1 PLC .  This PLC includes an Internet connectivity that serves as a FTP server.  This new PLC will now be standard on all new greenBOX MASTERs starting May 2006.  A great benefit of the new greenBOX is that it can be connected to a local network and/or Internet for downloading data.  Through the new ProfiBus communication we included, also at the request of Sauder Woodworking, the external PLC is able to trigger the greenBOX inputs, and full status can be read via ProfiBus communication.

May 2006: Yaskawa Drives - Most Reliable in the Industry

Ecogate has been using Yaskawa/Omron Inverter Drives in our Ecogate PowerMASTERs for years.  Yaskawa inverter drives are being recognized as being the best built, most reliable in the world.  They have received top honors in Control Engineering's 2004 Customer Satisfaction Survey , the Frost & Sullivan 2004 Excellence in Technology Award , and the prestigious Deming Prize .   According to a study by Ford Automotive, the mean time between failures (MTBF) on Yaskawa Inverter Drives is over one million hours.

May 2006: New Wizard Version 2.01 Available  

A new version of the Wizard software is now available to Ecogate Dealers.  The main improvement on this version is the ability to do all new calculations for the PRO+ systems.  Also, performing calculations on air volume and necessary fan size has been improved.  This version is available as a download or on CD.  (Contact support@ecogate.com)

May 2006: Ales Litomisky's Paper Accepted at World Energy Congress 2006, Washington DC

The WEEC is celebrating its 29 th year as the most important energy event of national scope for end users and energy professionals in all areas of the energy field.  This multi-track conference agenda will include a full line-up of seminars on a variety of current topics and a comprehensive exposition of the market's most promising new technologies.  Ales Litomisky, a senior member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), will be one of the many AEE members attending this convention.  His paper about the use of On-Demand Ventilation Systems for automotive production was accepted at the convention, which will be held in September of this year. 

May 2006: Ecogate Conference Held in Czech Republic, Europe

A conference was held in the European Union city of Brno, located in the Czech Republic on March 9 th organized by Hofman dealer and Raven consulting companies.  All woodworking factories in the Czech Republic were invited to this conference on the Ecogate On-Demand Ventilation System.  Factory owners attending the conference had the opportunity to ask current users of the system about their experiences with the system's performance and benefits. An introduction to the Ecogate system was presented including how it decreases production costs, reduces energy costs, and also practical information on how to get started with an Ecogate system.  Raven Consulting was there to discuss how factory owners can use the European Union's incentives for companies who install energy-efficient technology in their factories.

A several Ecogate MASTER systems were recently ordered by company Moravia in the Czech Republic.  Moravia is a producer of custom stairs.

May 2006: Boeing Installation of PRO+ System a Success

Ecogate is pleased to announce the successful installation of a PRO+ system at Boeing's jet assembly factory in Seattle Washington.  Ales Litomisky flew to Seattle to visit the factory producing 757 commercial jets and personally handle the setup and programming of the new system.  It was an exciting day at the Boeing factory, because they received a visit that same day from the President of China (and made an order worth a billion dollars)!

May 2006: Two MASTER Systems Installed

A 200HP and a 150HP MASTER system were successfully installed at Furniture Row in Denver, Colorado.  Furniture Row is a producer of ready-to-assemble furniture.  Andres Puky worked with Ecogate on these installations and can be reached at Pillow Kingdom, the parent company to Furniture Row.  His phone number is (303) 393-0059 Ext. 105

May 2006: New Firmware & Software Upgrade Available for greenBOX PRO & PRO+ Systems

There are new firmware and software upgrades now available at no charge for existing users of the greenBOX PRO and PRO+ systems, and are available either by email or on CD.  The newest feature of this upgrade is the cleaning cycle, which was previously only available on high-end MASTER systems.  Also, several "bugs" of the system were fixed, one of them being the inability to set long delays for the dust-collector off delay.  A description of the changes and an upgraded user guide are both available in PDF format.  To obtain a copy, simply email support@ecogate.com or call (818)547-4007.

May 2006: greenBOX Control System for Small Shops Significantly Improved

The small greenBOX control system for small shops was recently significantly improved by using an upgraded plastic gate with a microprocessor and magnetic limit switches.  We are also now shipping the system with shielded wire between the gates and the greenBOX.  This makes the greenBOX less sensitive to strong interferences in the shop.  The systems will now be shipped with vibration sensors, with the standard cable upgraded to shielded cable.  This further improves the system being less sensitive to interferences.  We are excited about these changes and hope the customer also enjoys them. The small greenBOX control system for small shops was recently significantly improved by using an upgraded plastic gate with a microprocessor and magnetic limit switches.  We are also now shipping the system with shielded wire between the gates and the greenBOX.  This makes the greenBOX less sensitive to strong interferences in the shop.  The systems will now be shipped with vibration sensors, with the standard cable upgraded to shielded cable.  This further improves the system being less sensitive to interferences.  We are excited about these changes and hope the customer also enjoys them.

May 2006: Ecogate Significantly Reduces CO₂ Pollution

Today more companies are taking steps to be environmentally conscious when they conduct business including ways to reduce the amount of CO 2 pollution they produce. One way factory owners can do this is by installing an Ecogate system. The pollution offset can be calculated by the Ecogate Wizard software based on variables such as:  fan size, number of workstations, and how often they operate. 

It is now possible to calculate how much carbon dioxide individuals themselves produce by visiting the BP Global website and using their Carbon footprint calculator.  It is quite interesting to see how different lifestyle choices, certain household features, travel options and new technologies can affect the Carbon footprint one leaves behind.  

To see your Carbon footprint visit the BP website at:

http://www.bp.com/extendedsectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9006010&contentId=7012265

Example of the pollution offset by Ecogate system

Pollution offset 200 HP ventilation system	1 shift	2 shifts	3 shifts
Operating hours annually	2,080	4,160	8,736	hours
Fan kWh saved by Ecogate Annually	209,331	418,662	879,191	kWh
Pollution offset	517,048	1,034,096	2,171,602	Lb CO 2 gasses

January 2006: Incentives & the electricity & transmission lines situation

In 2006, the general energy situation is changing once more. Most power companies are increasing electricity costs by 8-20%. This is partially due to the increasing Natural Gas costs (in California, for example, approximately 60% of electricity is made from Natural Gas). The increase in Natural Gas costs is also causing heating/air conditioning costs to increase. Another problem is caused by transmission lines, as their legal status is unclear and neither the government nor the power companies want to invest in them. As a result of all this, both consumers and power companies are trying to save as much electricity (and money) as possible. Since the transmission lines are in bad condition and no one intends to invest in them, the only solution is to make existing installation more efficient. This situation is naturally favorable for the sales perspective of the energy-efficient Ecogate system. Southern California Edison is currently looking for several "showcase installations" which use the Ecogate system (one system in the woodworking industry, one in the chemical industry, and one in the metalworking industry). Please inform your dealers about this development.

January 2006: Williams Dental Lab installation finished 

The installation in William Dental Lab was finished in late December. The average volume of air exchanged using the Ecogate System is 40% of the original volume. Assuming the average price of heating/cooling is $1.28 per CFM, this represents $13,440 saving annually. Additional savings are achieved by using motorized gates in combination with a variable speed drive, because the motor is not running at its full load (37 kW), but at the average load of 7.42 kW (an 80% reduction). With 3,060 working hours per year, this creates savings of 91,662 kWh. Assuming the price of 14 cents per kWh, savings of $12,833 per year are achieved by reducing the motor load (by using the variable speed drive). The total savings (achieved by lowering the volume of exchanged air and by optimizing motor performance) are thus $26,273 annually. A PDF file documenting the installation is available from Ecogate.

January 2006: Drees Woodworking installation finished

Two 300 HP systems have been installed at Dress Woodworking (dealer: A.T. Mitchell Machinery). Both systems are installed in a completely new factory that makes kitchen cabinet doors. Drees Woodworking received a $ 70,000 incentive from Edison to support the installation of the energy-efficient Ecogate system.

January 2006: Sandberg Furniture installation finished

Two systems - 350 HP and 125 HP - have been installed at Sandberg Furniture (dealer: A.T. Mitchell Machinery). At Ecogate's recommendation, three older systems were consolidated into a new 350 HP system. In the old system, three fans of different sizes were working in parallel (it is known that multiple fans of different sizes working in parallel are inefficient). Sandberg Furniture did an excellent job installing both MASTER systems with only their own personnel.

January 2006: Upgraded 4" plastic gate (EG204E) 

Ecogate now ships the new version 4 of the greenBOX® ONE control unit. The new version is smaller and includes a test button on the front panel, as well as improved indicators. The new unit uses a powerful Motorola microprocessor and a special integrated circuit for driving DC motors. The greenBOX® ONE has programmable on-delay and off-delay times, and programmable sensitivity for the current sensor. This new unit is fully compatible with all versions of Ecogate gates. A User Guide is available through Ecogate dealers.

January 2006: New software version for the greenBOX PRO, PRO+

In our commitment to steadily improve our products, we are introducing the Ecogate greenBOX PRO Setup and Monitoring PC software (version 1.2.3) and the greenBOX firmware 1.07. The most notable change is the improved greenBOX status screen - the user is now much better informed about what is happening and why. Additional improvements were done to make system testing more convenient. If you need this upgrade, request it at support@ecogate.com .

January 2006: New version of the greenBOX MASTER in development

Latest Omron CJ1 series PLC model used in the greenBOX MASTER

Ecogate is currently working on upgrading the greenBOX MASTER unit. The most significant change is the new Omron CJ1 PLC. Omron CJ1 Series is a new compact PLC with the processor speeds of 20 to 40 ns. Modules are roughly the size of a deck of playing cards and lock together with simple connectors, eliminating the need for a PLC rack. Omron's PC21 bus, designed for this PLC, provides high-speed communication from CJ1 CPU to individual modules The PLC also includes communication options including Ethernet. The Ethernet of option of the CJ1 series PLC acts as an FTP server. All files from the greenBOX MASTER's CompactFlash card will be accessible via any FTP connection (this protocol is supported by Windows Explorer, among others). Supported Ethernet speeds are both 10 Mbit/s and 100 Mbit/s. CJ1 sensor white papers are available from Omron or by request from Ecogate.

January 2006: New Order: Sauder Woodworking

Ecogate received a new order for a greenBOX MASTER system for Sauder Woodworking from the Nordfab dealer EnergyEcon. Sauder Woodworking already has one Ecogate MASTER system installed, on which they invited a third party to conduct a study. The conclusion of the study is that the Ecogate MASTER system measures electricity consumption very accurately. As a result, Sauder Woodworking decided to use the Ecogate MASTER system for their new factory. Sauder Woodworking uses an extension of network PLCs to completely automate their production lines. On their request, Ecogate developed a ProfiBus upgrade for the MASTER system. ProfiBus communication allows controlling all greenBOX MASTER inputs through a serial channel, as well reading the complete status of the entire system. This allows integration of the Ecogate system into computer-controlled manufacturing plants. This option is now available for all greenBOX MASTER models.