SAN JOSE, Calif. — LonMark Intl. announced the winners of its Best of the Year awards for 2012. Each year, LonMark honors products, companies, projects, and individuals that have demonstrated superior levels of expertise with open control networking technology based upon the ISO/IEC 14908 suite of standards. “Every year we continue to be impressed with the level of innovation from our members,” said Barry Haaser, executive director, LonMark Intl. “The dedication to innovation grows significantly and this year’s winners truly demonstrated superior levels of expertise with open control networking technology based on the ISO/IEC 14908 suite of standards. Congratulations to all winners and finalists.”

HGI-RTL Rheinhallen, Cologne, Germany, won the Multi-vendor Project of the Year award. The historical exhibition halls 1-3 in Cologne, better known as “Old Rheinhallen,” were completely renovated in a multiyear construction project. The project resulted in an ultra-modern office complex accommodating 4,000 people. A LonWorks technology-based HVAC system was installed by LonMark member Heger Gebäudeautomation Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH (HGI) utilizing a decentralized fiber-optic channel connecting the building management system (BMS) with OLE for Process Control (OPC).

Distech Controls Inc.’s RCL-PFC controllers won the Certified Device of the Year award. The controllers use the latest LonWorks 2.0 technology, including the new FT-5000 Neuron® Chip from Echelon Corp., and are version 3.4 LonMark certified as SCC fan coil controllers. The HVAC room controller and its light and sunblind add-on modules can be grouped together on a single LonWorks node.

Loytec electronics GmbH’s LGATE-950 won the Infrastructure Product of the Year award. It increases the power of control networks by interconnecting multiple protocols simultaneously. It can interconnect LonWorks networks to OPC, Modbus, KNX, ZigBee, or BACnet.

Víctor Cañete, of Aditel Sistemas, was named Visionary of the Year. Cañete has been a strong supporter of LonMark for many years. He was the primary founder of the LonMark Spain affiliate organization. He has held the position of LonMark chairman in Spain and has been actively involved in the marketing and promotion of LonMark systems in Spain, Latin America, and Mexico. Cañete also serves a volunteer role as a LonMark ambassador for Southern Europe and Latin/South America, with a focus on education and the LCP & LM-CSI programs.

Publication date: 3/4/2013