For the past decades, we have been going through a phase of exponential growth in the technology sector worldwide and due to the global village concept, the benefit of these have been reaching the other ends of the world as fast as never before. Building technology is not left behind, as the consequence of the other technology sector evolving.

 

Energy quality, consumption, and efficiency

 

The portion of energy consumed by buildings and houses makes more than 30% of the total energy consumption in most developed countries around the world.

 

It is important that the quality of energy made available be not only of quality but more importantly dissipated with the minimum effort necessary.

 

This is where the prerequisite of making buildings optimized comes into account.

 

The need to reduce cost and optimize operation is at the heart of intelligent building technology.

 

Energy flow needs to be controlled, furthermore helping provide better room temperature and climate by stopping temperature fluctuations.

 

A need of a management station arises, and many solutions nowadays offer web-based visualization means to help super user apprehend what is being played and give them at the same time the opportunity to control the system based on information received.

 

Building energy usage must be improved as well as using fetched data, data mining, data comparison and weather data to increase efficiency.

 

 

Single IP network vs. multiple proprietary networks

 

An intelligent building is one that consolidates various systems to manage resources effectively in such a way to boost: technical performance, investment, operating cost and flexibility.

 

Various systems such as the following: fire/life safety, elevator, lighting, energy management, HVAC, communication, 24/7 monitoring, security, Access/Video, need all to be incorporated, monitored and controlled in modern buildings.

 

In old days, these systems were controlled by Multiple control environments from multiple points.

 

Nowadays, Internet-Protocol is allowing all to be fed and sheltered under the same umbrella, each system control unit hosted on a specific IP address.

 

A single IP network supports the existence of a central monitoring and control unit that allows not only to control and monitor different systems in a building but also help gather data and operate the whole monitoring unit remotely.

 

The advantages of switching to a Central monitoring and control unit are self-explanatory. The interface annunciation of the fire safety system, the lighting schedule, the energy utilities monitoring system (Electric/water/gas/oil), the air-handling units, the voice/video, and Data system can be all handled from a single point. The comparison of performances of each system is made possible due to the commonality of the framework, revealing which areas need to be stressed upon.

 

 

Intelligent building technology in action: the Burj Khalifa

 

The Burj Khalifa building uses building technology and Internet of Thing (IoT) technology to optimize the experience of its residents through improved air quality, enhanced thermal comfort and light levels that improve productivity, health, and well-being for occupants.

 

This building stands in the middle of the desert and pushes the finest technology to its limit to sustain the structure alive.

 

All this is made possible thanks to a building’s condensation collection system, an incorporated earthquake resistant technology, cooling solutions, and power-generating elevators.

 

This is a Marvel of technology worth reading more about.

 

 

Final thought

 

Possibilities are endless for what buildings and houses of the future will be, but one thing is sure, IoT and Intelligent building technology will continue to dominate the industry.

 

 

Tchoukoualeu, Aristide (August 2018)

Heat Transfer and Process Design, HTPD