A new generation of low-cost, low-power wireless sensors being developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be put to the test at the lab’s new flexible research platform, which is part of the Maximum Building Energy Efficiency Research Laboratory. These potentially peel-and-stick sensors, necessary for optimal control of lighting and heating/cooling systems, would provide significant savings from energy efficiency improvements, according to Teja Kuruganti, one of the developers. Ultimately, because of the new platform, they could be manufactured at a fraction of the cost of traditional sensors, which cost $150-$300. And because the sensors are wireless and inexpensive, existing buildings could easily be retrofitted. When commercialized, the sensors and control systems could reduce energy consumption of buildings by up to 40 percent.
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