ABB has agreed to purchase building control point supplier Cylon Controls, providing exits to UCD and energy utility ESB.

Cylon Controls, an Ireland-based building control system spinout of University College Dublin, yesterday agreed to an acquisition by power and automation group ABB for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1985, Cylon markets a range of control interfaces such as fuse boxes, energy meters and heating or air ventilation controls for buildings in the residential and commercial sectors. The company’s offering includes a real-time, analytics-based software portal where building operators can gauge and restrain energy usage through features such as visualisation and trigger-activated alarms. ABB expects Cylon to augment its existing range of products for commercial buildings, enhancing its appeal in terms of energy optimisation and comfort. Cylon grew from research conducted by its founder and then-UCD engineering researcher Seán Giblin, and the spinout retains links to UCD faculty along with university tech transfer office NovaUCD. ESB Novusmodus Fund, a clean tech-focused corporate venturing vehicle for Irish state-run energy utility ESB, invested about $9.5m in Cylon Controls in 2014, according to media reports. – Image courtesy of Cylon Controls

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