SMART BUILDING

A smart building is essentially a building that's packed with technology to optimize its performance. Imagine a network of sensors and systems that all work together to make the building more efficient, comfortable, and secure.

Here are some key features of a smart building:

• Networked systems: Heating, cooling, lighting, security, and other systems are all interconnected and can be controlled remotely. This allows for better coordination and optimization.
• Sensors: These little devices are everywhere, collecting data on things like temperature, occupancy, and energy use. This data is then used to adjust systems as needed.
• Building management systems: This is the brain of the operation, a central computer system that gathers data from the sensors and controls the various building systems.
• Focus on efficiency: Smart buildings are designed to use resources like energy and water as efficiently as possible. This can save money and reduce the building's environmental impact.
• Improved occupant experience: Smart buildings can create a more comfortable and convenient environment for occupants. For example, the lighting and temperature can be adjusted automatically based on occupancy.

Overall, smart buildings are a way to make buildings more functional, sustainable, and user-friendly.

Here are three examples of Smart Building: 

a. System performance  

A smart building should be able to monitor equipment performance, looking not just for failure or breaches of limits, but deviation from optimum.  

For example, an air handler has various sensors, dampers, coils, and fans that work collectively to satisfy space demands.  

Return air temperature (RAT) is the air returning from the conditioned space, which should typically be in the mid to upper 70s degrees Fahrenheit. The supply air temperature (SAT) is the desired temperature of the air leaving the air handler needed to satisfy the conditioned space. Building code requires a minimum amount of outside air, measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute); thus, necessitating the input of unconditioned outside air, which significantly impacts a building’s efficiency and is a key parameter to monitor. The mixed air temperature (MAT) measures the resultant air temperature of combining return air with outside air; this air is then sent through the cooling coil and/or possibly heating coil (depending upon design) to create the desired SAT.  

The relative differences between these various air temperatures, coupled with damper, valve, and fan percentages can tell us a lot about the function of the AHU. Algorithms can be employed to monitor these attributes and inform maintenance of a potentially failed sensor, damper, or the like.  

b. Occupancy driven operations  

The goal of efficiency is to utilize as little energy as possible to satisfy the load; not too little, nor too much, but just the right amount. The occupancy and use of a space are key drivers in determining those requirements. Thus, a smart building should continually evaluate demand within a space and modulate the supply to accommodate.  

In the past, this has included the use of occupancy sensors and demand-control ventilation (monitoring carbon monoxide levels); however, technology has advanced well beyond these simplistic approaches to include tracking of people, devices, and thermal generation.   

c. Condition-based maintenance  

With the growing criticality of uptime and productivity and the continually shrinking supply of skilled labor, CBM provides one of, if not the largest, opportunity for smart operations.  

A smart building should track and trend asset and building performance to monitor deviations of performance, as mentioned above. As well, it should continually analyze, learning from breakdowns and failures to direct maintenance activities, so that the right maintenance is completed at the right time; thus, mitigating unnecessary tasks, all the while maximizing the limited labor resources.  

Simple examples include measuring amperage draw on a motor (along with demand) to identify anomalies such as pending belt failure, clogged filters, and misalignment.      

The world of smart buildings is constantly evolving, but here are some of the hottest trends to look for in 2024:

• AI and IoT working together: This powerful duo is taking smart buildings to a whole new level. Imagine artificial intelligence (AI) using data collected from internet of things (IoT) sensors to predict and adjust building systems in real-time, optimizing everything from energy use to occupant comfort.
• Sustainability in the spotlight: Smart buildings are going green! With a growing focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, expect to see more buildings using renewable energy sources, employing smart technologies to reduce waste, and prioritizing eco-friendly materials.
• Security gets an upgrade: Security systems in smart buildings are getting more sophisticated, with features like facial recognition and AI-powered video analytics. This focus on robust cybersecurity is crucial as buildings become increasingly connected.
• Prioritizing health and well-being: The well-being of occupants is a top priority. Smart buildings will use sensors to monitor air quality, adjust lighting for circadian rhythms, and even personalize temperature controls to create a healthier and happier work environment.
• Supercharged by 5G: The arrival of 5G brings faster data transfer speeds, perfect for smart buildings. This opens doors for advancements like real-time data processing, improved building automation, and even using augmented reality (AR) for maintenance and design.
• Smart Building as a Service (SBaaS): This subscription-based model allows building owners to access smart building technology without the upfront investment. It's like renting the smarts for your building!
• Cloud goes mainstream: Cloud-based building management systems (BMS) are becoming increasingly popular. This allows for easier data storage, remote access, and real-time building management from anywhere.