Ape Smart innovates to conserve energy
In total control of the home, Ape SmartLink is a new innovation that ensures energy is stored and used in a controlled manner according to each householder’s requirements and made accessible via the Internet.
Mr. Jeremy Fernando
Mr.Jeremy Fernando is an innovator, having established the Innovative Smart Solutions Pvt. Ltd, who has patent rights to the Smart Plug Socket and the Smart Touch Switch that could be used in his latest creation the SmartLINK system that would ensure storing of energy and distribution according to the needs of the householder. The socket and switch can be controlled via the Internet from a smart phone.
The switches and sockets are currently been installed at the Defence complex at Akuregoda and the Amaya hotel in the Maldives, he noted.
Already storing of energy is developed and used but Mr. Fernando is convinced that his product if marketed with the right organisation could prove a profitable venture as this innovative solution allows to save energy, keep a check on power consumption and if produced on a mass scale could be provided at an affordable rate. This control of energy is carried out through the Internet of Things (IOT).
“Ape’ SmartLINK is in my opinion a product that a reputed large company in Sri Lanka should invest in, if we are to start electronic product manufacture in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Mr. Fernando explained that some of the key features of Ape SmartLINK are that they use industry standard hybrid inverters from reputed manufacturers; use industry standard Li-ion batteries from reputed battery manufacturers such as Pylontech, Changhong and Leoch and as such, selecting the battery system could also be flexible.
The Ape Smart Control Units (SCU) is the control system that is a product of their own and the SmartLINK is a combination of Inverter, battery and Ape SCU. The unit requires a reputed marketing agency to sell the product in a bid to engage with the consumers and since the life span of this is about five years.
The SmartLINK is also totally integrated with the Ape SmartHome system that involves the Smart Plug Socket and the Smart Touch Switch. Also there is no need to establish a new line in installing these switches and sockets as the existing power lines can be used to establish a connection.
He pointed out that the product will be about 40-50 per cent cost effective than the Sonnen or Tesla branded products.
Moreover, he noted that the SmartLINK is a niche market product with a high value and low volume where Sri Lanka is able to manufacture with the required quality standards and finish.
A household could connect to the main grid and also a solar panel that would conserve energy into a battery throughout the daytime and would be used mostly at night time. The stored energy would ensure that the householders are not impacted when power failures occur and as such stand to gain from the option of having a unit to store such energy.
The battery life has a dependability rate for a period of 7-10 years; Mr. Fernando explained noting that through the use of 4G router users can access the Internet today in any part of the country.
Mr. Fernando started out with a company for setting up a software platform for the hospitality industry and sold this to Indian and Bangladeshi hotels and this is now in use in about 150 hotels.
Monitoring guest information when using the Internet for security purposes as required by Indian authorities requires a complex platform to be established, for which Mr. Fernando was able to find a solution. He had been able to secure partnerships with a large clientele including Taj Group of hotels, Lemon Tree, Lalit Group, West Inn Dhaka and Amaya, Maldives.
The switches and sockets are manufactured through TOS Lanka and the Export Development Board had also given a grant and assisted in obtaining the patent to his products.