Digital Building Transformation Expert

Powering the Intelligent Buildings of Tomorrow

Independent consultant specializing in Power over Ethernet, Low-Voltage DC, Fault Managed Power, and next-generation digital building infrastructure. Partner with Sinclair Digital and industry leaders to deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable buildings.

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13+
Years in Digital Building R&D
50M+
Sq Ft Influenced
39%
Energy Reduction Achieved
PoE
FMP · X-PoE · LVDC
DOE
PNNL · NREL · LBL Partner
Net
Zero
Building Strategy Expert
Smart Building
🏆 First Net-Zero Hotel in the US — Sinclair Hotel, Fort Worth TX
The Digital Building Trend

IoT Is Transforming Building Infrastructure

The Internet of Things is digitally disrupting traditional building infrastructure at an accelerating pace. Energy Storage, Low Voltage DC, Fault Managed Power, and Pulsed DC technologies are delivering lower cost, data-rich, and seamlessly integrated experiences for building owners, operators, and occupants alike.

Building owners now have access to management tools, automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence to more effectively manage assets and spaces. Enterprise customers are deploying digital building systems to attract and retain top talent — and the results speak for themselves: proven energy savings of 10–39%, dramatically reduced copper and material use, and a safer electrical environment for occupants.

We are only beginning to scratch the surface of what connected, intelligent building systems can deliver. The shift from AC to DC is the Tesla Moment for buildings — and it is already underway.

My Background
Consulting Capabilities

How I Can Help You

From strategy and standards to design, deployment, and market development — I bring end-to-end expertise across the digital building ecosystem.

⚡

Digital Power Architecture

Strategy and design for PoE, X-PoE, Fault Managed Power (FMP), and Low Voltage DC microgrids. Eliminate AC infrastructure and move toward net-zero-ready building power.

PoEFMPLVDCDC Microgrid
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Smart Lighting & Controls

End-to-end advisory for PoE and addressable LED lighting systems, occupancy sensing, tunable white, daylight harvesting, and DALI/BACnet integration.

PoE LightingDALIBACnet
🏗️

Design-Assist & Specification

Architect and engineer support for digital building specifications, basis-of-design documents, RFP language, and vendor-neutral system selection guidance.

Design-AssistSpecificationsRFP
📡

IoT & Building Automation

Strategy for converging IT networks, OT systems, HVAC, shading, access control, AV, and security onto a unified, low-voltage data and power backbone.

IoTBASConvergence
🌿

Sustainability & Net-Zero Strategy

Roadmapping DC microgrid integration with solar PV, BESS, and EV charging. Proven methodology for achieving net-zero and meeting LEED, WELL, and Green Globe targets.

Net-ZeroBESSSolar DCLEED
🎓

Training, Speaking & Standards

Keynotes, workshops, and standards committee participation. Active contributor to BICSI, IES, UL, and DOE/PNNL research programs on digital building infrastructure.

BICSIIESULDOE
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"By shifting to a fully DC building microgrid, we can directly couple solar and achieve net-zero. Digital power uses less copper, less labor, and eliminates the inefficiency of AC-to-DC conversion throughout the building."
— Luis Suau, Digital Building Transformation Expert & Chief Business Officer, Sinclair Digital
News & Publications

Standards, Research & Industry Contributions

📘

ANSI/BICSI 007 — Building Systems Standard

BICSI is a global professional association supporting the ICT community. Luis contributed to this foundational standard covering IP-enabled, smart building, and IoT applications within networked building systems.

📗

BICSI TDMM 14th Edition

The flagship Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual — the blueprint for modern cabling design. Significant updates to PoE, OM5, WiFi-6, data centers, 5G, DAS, and intelligent building design for the next 20 years.

🔬

DOE / PNNL Whitepaper — DC Microgrid Energy Savings

Validates at least 10% proven energy savings via DC microgrid solutions. Used as the technical foundation for Sinclair Digital project proposals and net-zero roadmapping.

🏨

Buildings Magazine — "Is Digital Power Getting the Upper Hand?"

Luis featured as a primary industry voice discussing the shift from AC to DC power, the role of PoE, USB-C and Digital Electricity, and the workforce transition away from traditional electrical infrastructure.

Industry Relationships & Ecosystem Partners

Sinclair Digital Cisco Systems VoltServer Igor Molex CoreSync Hubbell PowerHUBB DBS-POE POE Lighting USA POE Texas Ivani LG HVAC Somfy Superior-Essex Thinlabs Platformatics NuLEDs Transition Networks Southwire 4D Systems Axis Communications
Connect With Me

I Am Here to Help You Drive Change

Together we will shape the future of intelligent, sustainable buildings.

Phone
(954) 667-9762
Email
Luis@LuisSuau.com
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/luis-suau
Schedule a Free Discovery Call
About Luis Suau

A Career Built at the Frontier of Digital Buildings

From Cisco's advanced development lab to the world's first all-digital hotel — a journey driven by the conviction that buildings can be smarter, safer, and truly sustainable.

LS
BICSI Contributor IES Speaker DOE/PNNL Partner CiscoLive Speaker UL Standards NREL Collaborator Alliance to Save Energy PoE Consortium Founder
Background

Luis Suau

Luis Suau was instrumental at Cisco Systems in the development of the Cisco Digital Ceiling and Cisco Digital Building (CDB) Technologies. A key member of their internal research and advanced development team, Luis helped initiate the program in 2012 — years before the broader industry recognized the transformative potential of network-based, low-voltage building infrastructure powered by Power over Ethernet.

In 2020, Luis departed Cisco to pursue his passion for expanding digital building infrastructure beyond lighting into a true building-wide platform. As Chief Business Officer of Sinclair Digital — a pioneering firm named after the world's first all-digital hotel — Luis has driven the strategy, partnerships, and market education needed to make DC-powered, net-zero buildings a commercial reality.

He currently serves as an independent consultant to Equipment Manufacturers, Commercial Real Estate owners, Enterprise Customers, and Systems Integrators across North America who wish to understand, specify, design, or deploy next-generation digital building systems. His unique perspective spans the full ecosystem — from semiconductor and cable to cloud analytics and AI-powered building management.

Luis has spoken at a wide range of industry events including CiscoLive, BICSI, IES, Alliance to Save Energy, and has collaborated with national laboratories including DOE/PNNL, NREL, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on energy research programs.

2012 — PresentDigital Building Pioneer — Cisco Research & Sinclair Digital
Sinclair Hotel, Fort Worth TXFirst all-digital hotel using PoE + VoltServer Digital Electricity
Hotel Marcel, New Haven CTFirst net-zero hotel in the United States
Government Lab PartnershipsDOE/PNNL, NREL, Lawrence Berkeley Lab (LBL)
"The average age of a licensed electrician is 59.5 years, and the workforce is aging out. The reality is that we are moving to an IT world — and that is an opportunity, not a threat."
— Luis Suau
Sinclair Digital Partnership

AGILE-CORE® & the Future of Connected Buildings

Sinclair Digital's flagship AGILE-CORE® Distributed Edge Architecture represents the most complete commercial implementation of digital building infrastructure available today. Luis works alongside the Sinclair Digital team to bring this solution to new markets, client types, and geographic regions.

AGILE-CORE® leverages fiber-based networking with StrandWise™ hybrid cabling to distribute power and data from a centralized headend to BITS™ edge IDF devices — eliminating the need for multiple air-conditioned IT closets, duplicated power infrastructure, and constant switch replacements driven by power and thermal constraints.

🏗️ AGILE-CORE® Capabilities

PoE, X-PoE®, FMP, and LVDC for lighting, IT networks, OT, HVAC, security, and IoT — all on a single low-voltage backbone with zero standby losses and simplified wiring.

📊 Proven Results

At least 10% energy savings validated by DOE/PNNL. Installations at data centers, K-12 schools, Class A offices, hotels, and warehouses across North America.

Consulting Services

End-to-End Digital Building Expertise

Whether you are a manufacturer entering the market, an owner planning a major renovation, or an integrator seeking a technology edge — Luis brings the knowledge, relationships, and credibility to move your project forward.

Core Disciplines

Technology & Strategy Consulting

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Digital Power Architecture

Comprehensive strategy and system design for Power over Ethernet, X-PoE®, Fault Managed Power (Class 4), and LVDC microgrids. Full transition roadmaps from AC to DC infrastructure, including battery storage integration, solar direct-coupling, and demand response strategy.

PoE / X-PoEFMPLVDCDC MicrogridBESS
💡

Intelligent Lighting Systems

Advisory for full-building PoE and addressable LED lighting deployments — including occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, tunable white, circadian rhythm control, emergency lighting integration, and code compliance strategy for UL 924, NFPA 70, and ASHRAE 90.1.

PoE LightingDALI-2BACnetASHRAE 90.1
🌐

IoT & Converged Building Networks

Strategy for merging IT, OT, BAS, access control, A/V, security cameras, HVAC, and motorized shading onto a unified AGILE-CORE® or custom low-voltage backbone — eliminating redundant infrastructure and enabling real-time analytics across all building systems.

IoTBASOT ConvergenceMQTT
🌿

Net-Zero & Sustainability Strategy

Full roadmapping for net-zero building operations: DC microgrid design, solar PV direct-coupling, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integration, EV charging infrastructure, LEED/WELL/Energy Star alignment, and reporting frameworks for ESG disclosures.

Net-ZeroLEEDWELLESGSolar DC
🏗️

Design-Assist & Technical Specification

Full support for A/E/C teams: basis-of-design documents, digital building specifications, bid-ready RFP language, vendor evaluation matrices, and owner's project requirements (OPR) for digital systems. Integrated delivery experience across design-build, CM at-risk, and traditional delivery models.

Design-AssistSpecificationsRFPOPR
🏭

Manufacturer & Product Strategy

Go-to-market strategy, competitive positioning, channel development, and technical product roadmap advisory for manufacturers entering or expanding in the digital building ecosystem — including PoE device makers, cabling companies, software platforms, and sensor manufacturers.

GTM StrategyChannel DevProduct Roadmap
🔌

Systems Integrator Enablement

Training, technical documentation, pre-sales support, and partnership development for systems integrators deploying low-voltage digital building solutions. Hands-on commissioning support for AGILE-CORE® and Sinclair Digital installations.

TrainingPre-SalesCommissioning
🤖

AI & Analytics for Building Operations

Strategy for deploying building analytics, machine learning-driven fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), occupancy-based automation, and AI-powered energy optimization platforms on top of a digital building data backbone.

AI/MLFDDAnalyticsAutomation
🎓

Speaking, Training & Standards

Keynote and panel presentations, executive workshops, lunch-and-learn programs, and standards committee participation. Active contributor to BICSI, IES, UL, and DOE/PNNL research on digital building infrastructure and low-voltage power systems.

BICSIIESUL 9003DOE
Who I Serve

Client Types

🏢
Commercial Real Estate Owners

Office, hospitality, retail, industrial, and mixed-use building owners seeking to modernize infrastructure and improve asset value.

🏭
Equipment Manufacturers

PoE device makers, cabling suppliers, software companies, and sensor/actuator manufacturers entering or scaling in the digital building market.

🔧
Systems Integrators

Low-voltage contractors, AV integrators, electrical contractors, and IT solution providers expanding into smart building deployment.

📐
Architects & Engineers

Design teams seeking a trusted technical resource for intelligent building specifications, energy modeling support, and digital system integration.

🏛️
Government & Institutions

Schools, universities, healthcare facilities, and government buildings with sustainability mandates and complex operational requirements.

Ready to Start?

Schedule a no-obligation discovery call to discuss your project, challenge, or strategic initiative.

Schedule a Consultation
Project Experience

Delivering Digital Building Transformation

From the world's first all-digital hotel to net-zero schools and Class A offices — a growing portfolio of landmark digital building deployments across North America.

🏨
Hospitality · Fort Worth, TX

Sinclair Hotel — World's First All-Digital Hotel

First hotel in the world to use VoltServer Digital Electricity and PoE to power lighting, window treatments, minibars, smart mirrors, and building systems. Achieved 39% reduction in energy use compared to conventional construction. Landmark project that established the feasibility of all-digital buildings at scale.

⚡ PoE + VoltServer FMP 🌿 39% Energy Reduction
🌿
Hospitality · New Haven, CT

Hotel Marcel — First Net-Zero Hotel in the USA

Adaptive reuse of the historic Pirelli Tire Building designed by Marcel Breuer. Sinclair Digital installed a DC microgrid and PoE LED lighting system enabling the property to produce all of its own electricity, heat, and hot water. The first net-zero hotel in the United States — a landmark for the industry.

⚡ DC Microgrid 🌿 Net-Zero Operations
🏬
Commercial Office · Fort Worth, TX

Sanger Building — First Commercial Office PoE Deployment

Historic 95,000 sq ft mixed-use building. Customizable tenant lighting controls, centralized and decentralized deployments by floor using VoltServer technology. Immediate energy savings from pre-renovation electrical usage. Set a precedent for commercial office digital building transformation.

💡 Addressable PoE Lighting 🏗️ 95,000 Sq Ft
🎒
Education · Richwood, WV

Richwood Academic Complex — Future-Proof K-12 IT Infrastructure

110,000 sq ft K-12 complex rebuilt after catastrophic flooding. AGILE-CORE® Distributed Edge Architecture deployed to build an IT network designed to serve the school for 50 years — eliminating the need for constant upgrades driven by power and thermal constraints at traditional IDF closets.

📡 AGILE-CORE® Network 🏗️ 110,000 Sq Ft
🏢
Class A Office · AGILE-CORE® Demo

Class A Office Build-Out — AGILE-CORE® Showcase

Full demonstration of AGILE-CORE™ Distributed Edge Architecture merging power and data on a single LVDC network. Features tunable white LED, warm cove, task and accent lighting, motorized shades, and battery-powered mobile workstations. Centralized low-voltage rack for real-time monitoring and zero-rewiring reconfiguration.

⚡ LVDC Single Network 💡 Tunable White + Shading
📦
Industrial / Warehouse · Global Scale

Mouser Electronics — Automated Warehouse Digital Lighting

Berkshire Hathaway-backed global electronics distributor. Sinclair Digital deployed PoE lighting and IoT sensor infrastructure for a high-performance, nearly-perfect pick-and-ship 24/7 automated warehouse environment serving 6.8 million SKUs from thousands of manufacturer brands.

💡 PoE + IoT Sensors 🤖 Automated Environment
⚾
Commercial Office · Cumberland, GA

Southwire Battery Park — Hybrid Smart Workplace at The Battery Atlanta

Cutting-edge commercial office featuring flexible hybrid workspaces powered by smart building technology at The Battery Atlanta. Demonstrates how AGILE-CORE® enables workplace flexibility, energy efficiency, and occupant experience in a highly connected, modern office environment.

🔋 Battery Energy Storage 📡 Smart Workplace
🏛️
Cisco Systems · 2012–2020

Cisco Digital Ceiling & Digital Building (CDB) Program

Luis was a founding member of Cisco's internal research and advanced development team that initiated the Digital Ceiling program in 2012 — one of the earliest commercial PoE building infrastructure programs in the industry. The program established the technical and business case for network-based, low-voltage building systems at enterprise scale.

💡 PoE Building Platform 🌐 Enterprise Scale
Get In Touch

Let's Shape the Future Together

Whether you have a specific project, a strategic challenge, or just want to learn more — reach out. I am here to help.

Contact Information

📞
✉️
🔗
🌐

Partner Website

sinclair-digital.com

I Can Help With:

  • ✔ Digital power & PoE strategy
  • ✔ Net-zero building roadmaps
  • ✔ Product & market development
  • ✔ Design-assist & specifications
  • ✔ Speaking & training engagements
  • ✔ Standards & research collaboration
  • ✔ Systems integrator enablement
  • ✔ AI & analytics for buildings

Send a Message

Or call directly: (305) 903-7331