In my new column at Control Magazine (left) I'm privileged to learn about how basic industry works, and about the heroes who make it work.

I've also been thrilled to learn that Zigbee, an Always-On technology I've mentioned here in the past, is an integral part of that.

I don't want to give too much of my coming column away, but I have learned that Zigbee solutions are going into basic industries next year, through Honeywell.

It seems many big refineries and chemical plants lose up to 15% of their effective yield to leaks in the pipes, and until now there haven't been cost-effective methods available to deal with it.

Zigbee will provide an answer.

Working on Department of Energy contracts, Honeywell is planning on testing a Zigbee-based system that will let plant managers monitor temperature and leaks wirelessly, for just $3-5 per linear foot of plant. (Most big chemical plants have miles and miles of pipes.)

The resulting return on investment will come in many forms. You'll have higher yields for less energy. You will save on labor costs. If U.S. plants are able to install this technology quickly, they get a leg-up on overseas competitors. It's all a win-win-win.

More in Control Magazine's September issue.