ELECTRICITY IN THE FUTURE OFFICE

As an Electrical Contractor, it has become apparent to me that the number one growth area is the constant remodeling, upgrading and transformation of the office space.  The advent of high-efficiency lighting products, the need for more individual control of the employees’ work space, Government’s changing energy standards, the concept of “teams” with less hierarchical controls, and more electronic tools, are all driving these changes.

The future office will have more personal computers and logic-driven phone systems, networking and video conferencing, virtual project teams, with the simultaneous contribution of many corporate members across the globe.  Flat screen message boards and projection systems (which may stay hidden in ceilings and walls until they are needed), and the future promising the ability to project images on all kinds of surfaces; tables, decks and walls.  IT rooms will grow and need added air conditioning, as they add more computer main frames, and electrical and electronic equipment.

Lighting systems are always changing:  the future holds even more efficient ballasts for flourescent lighting with T5 programmed starts, DALI ballasts with light-level switching and dimming, new digital lighting control systems will interface with computers (both main frame and PC at the desk), and sensors in walls and ceilings.  The modern office will also gravitate to LED lighting products as their costs come down and their heat output decreases.

The future office requires electronics to keep up with industry changes, product changes, technologies of controls, computers and communication.  The electrical companies that make this investment will be paid dividers in the very near future.
Ref:  EC&M Magazine, “He Really Gets to the Meat of This Evolution,” Jan 2012.

Electric Authority will get into more specifics over the nest few articles.

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