EnOcean wireless control systems

[djh]

Has anybody come across EnOcean wireless control systems?

Apparently it's a new wireless system for sensors. The unique selling point is that the sensors (i.e transmitters) are so low-powered that they don't need batteries. For example, MK make light switches powered by the action of clicking the switch. The mains-powered receivers have a standby power of 50 mW.

EnOcean http://www.enocean.com/en/products-technology/ is a spin-out from Siemens, which developed the technology. They have an alliance http://www.enocean-alliance.org/en/ of manufacturers to ensure interoperability. MK have a bunch of products under the Echo brand http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/PDF/echo/echo-brochure.pdf but in a quick search I've only found one place that lists prices http://www.electricalpricelist.com/product.php?pid=198256&nm=Receiver+Small+Load. There's also an online shop http://www.enoceanshop.co.uk/catalog/default.asp seemingly for all EnOcean products.

It looks very useful.  It also looks expensive. 

[guydewdney]

85 quid for a switch. How much is the chiselling of the wall, replastering, and re-painting? Gotta be 100 quid minimum to pay for that. (assuming new switch install)

cool idea - I wonder if pressing the switch feels like pushing one of the pneumatic timer switches (in order to generate the power)? That would be annoying.

[wyleu]

Can't be more annoying than the mk grid momentary switches, need a hammer and chisel to get them to work.

Can't find any mention of the protocol used. I assume it's proprietary.

[fje-iptelenet]

The trial pack worked for me:
http://www.enoceanshop.co.uk/catalog/default.asp?id=000-010-2042-TDCTrialPack4
Franz.