Dr. Peter Fuhr presents to Congress

Written on October 2, 2009 at 4:06 pm

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION

25 September 2009
Wi-Fi Sensors Inc. CEO Dr. Peter Fuhr discussed wireless technology and its role in “SMART Manufacturing: Modernization to Marketplace” during a Congressional Briefing held at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC. The briefing was attended by members of Congress, White House representatives, companies, reporters, and officials from various agencies and Departments including the Department of Energy.

Dr. Fuhr’s presentation was titled “DOE ITP – Industrial Wireless –WINA – Wi-Fi Sensors – Energy Efficiency”. It outlined the historical perspective for industrial wireless, as well as features and benefits of wireless for energy consumption in real world applications. It also highlighted the success story of the steam trap application with wi-fi deployment, the current impact of wireless technology on employment the market and concluded with DOE energy savings goal for 2017.

The wireless implementation encompasses temperature, vibration, current and power monitoring for the purpose of predictive maintenance, process automation and ultimately to reduce the cost of energy. The benefit of going wireless amounts to 15-40% in direct savings, depending on the application. Early adopters of wireless technology include but are not limited to industrial sites, residential and commercial buildings and transportation. Wireless technology has already proven to bring results in energy cost reduction.

The steam trap application is a featured success story of Dr. Fuhr’s presentation. Steam trap health monitoring is a routine part of power plant operations. It turns out that a failed trap can cost ~ $800 to ~$1,400 per year. Studies show that about 15-30% of steam traps fail constantly. A well maintained system has a failure rate of about 10%. Deployment of Wi-Fi sensors on steam traps at the plant in Kirksville yielded immediate tangible result within first 3 months: ~$1,900 in savings during the summer months.

Needless to say, wireless technology and wireless networking systems hold great promise to help industries use energy and materials more efficiently, to lower systems and infrastructure costs, lower production costs, and increase productivity.

Furthermore, the impact of the wireless DOE ITP initiative has a significant entrepreneurial and job creation effect in recessionary times. As reported to the Departments of Commerce and Labor, the jump start that the DOE Wireless program provided has blossomed into more than $400M being invested in wireless companies focussed on the industrial sector within the past 5 years. This has resulted in 100+ companies being founded during this timeframe with an associated 2000+ jobs created (as reported by WINA). Why? Because the wireless adoption rate has exponential growth. It represents the future of industrial, building and discrete – intelligent – automation. The ancillary fact that DOE's Energy Efficiency program has a goal to facilitate 25% in industrial energy savings by 2017.

Dr. Peter Fuhr has been involved with the industrial wireless, sensors, and security arena for decades.  As a faculty member for 20 years, Dr. Fuhr was involved in the early efforts for fiber optics, MEMS, and what has became known as nanotech areas with their application to smart structures.  He was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Research for his pioneering work in advanced sensors and wireless technologies.   With over 700 publications and technical presentations, Dr. Fuhr has come to know many individuals and organizations.  He has worked with the DOE, DOD, NASA and various other federal and private sector organizations in developing and delivering secure wireless sensor technologies.  Peter is the Chairman of the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance, an industry group comprised of the world's leading automation and wireless companies.

“SMART: Manufacturing: Modernization to Marketplace” briefing is organized by Alliance to Save Energy.