Sustainability is a Sixth Wave of Innovation. Energy-harvesting access control puts you ahead of the curve

Buildings face a challenge in thriving in the era of Sixth Wave Innovation. They consume around 30% of the world’s energy. How much of it is really needed? According to one estimate, perhaps 30% of the energy used in commercial, manufacturing and education premises is wasted.

Innovations in energy-harvesting technology may be part of the solution: Electronic devices powered without mains electricity or batteries can help to meet sustainability goals while contributing cost savings and lowering maintenance expenditure.

They can be part of any organization’s Sixth Wave transformation strategy, helping to boost competitiveness and improve environmental performance.

Access control systems and sustainability

One contributor to building energy use — an electronic access control system — can be surprisingly resource-hungry.

Traditional wired locking systems operate with an ‘always on’ supply of mains electricity. This powers the magnets which keep doors secure. Installation of such systems, too, can be intrusive and therefore another energy-intensive process.

There is now an alternative solution. In a survey for the Wireless Access Control Report 2021, 90 percent of industry professionals agreed sustainability considerations would influence their future choice of access technology. Many interviewees pointed to energy harvesting technology as one potential solution.

Energy harvesting’s role in future-proofing access control

Electronic access control does not, in fact, need much energy at the door. In self-powered systems, the kinetic energy used in inserting and/or turning a programmable key is harvested to power a lock’s digital security.

This energy source — keyholder input — is completely renewable.

Benefits of powering access control this way are more than theoretical: No mains electricity or batteries means zero energy costs at the door.

In addition, self-powered locking cylinders are easier and faster to install than comparable electronic access systems, because they require no major adjustments to a door. An installer simply swaps out its existing mechanical cylinder.

No cabling or mains connections also typically reduces the need for regular maintenance, which can be expensive if on-site electrical contractors are needed.

ASSA ABLOY PULSE access control, powered by energy-harvesting technology

One system powered entirely by energy harvesting is ASSA ABLOY PULSE. It offers secure, programmable key-based electronic access control without cables or batteries.

Users carry one PULSE key which is pre-programmed with all their cleared access rights, no matter how many doors they need to open.

Premises can equip almost any opening from a PULSE range which includes door cylinders, cam-locks, furniture locks and padlocks which can operate outdoors even in harsh climates.

PULSE also opens a gateway to the Incedo access control ecosystem: a flexible, scalable platform, where wired and wireless locks for every application may be managed securely in the cloud.

In addition, the programmable PULSE key has an RFID chip inside. It can operate RFID readers on wireless locks or mounted on a wall. There is no need for building users to carry two credentials, which is more resource-efficient and convenient.

PULSE keys and cylinders are reusable and reprogrammable: Managing staff turnover becomes faster and simpler, another helpful contribution access control can make to a sustainability strategy.