Smart buildings are becoming increasingly popular to increase energy efficiency and reduce costs. This article delves into the latest developments in smart buildings.
Fremont, CA: In the future, the term "smart buildings" will become obsolete. Buildings will naturally evolve to become highly cooperative entities, leveraging extensive sensor data and managed by AI and machine learning systems. Rather than being labeled as "smart," they will simply be referred to as structures, with intelligent construction and operation becoming the norm.
However, the industry has yet to fully embrace this vision. Despite advancements, there will still be existing "dumb" buildings—outdated structures lacking automation upgrades. It's imperative for building managers to ensure their facilities do not fall into this category.
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Regardless of their current level of sophistication, facility managers must stay abreast of the latest techniques and technologies shaping the industry. Here are the top four trends in building technology to watch out for.
Real-Time Monitoring:
Continuous data and up-to-date reports about the state of building systems and energy consumption are provided by real-time monitoring. Then, using this data, systems can be continuously balanced and adjusted for maximum efficiency, building systems can be alerted if they are malfunctioning or just not performing within expected limits, and utilities can be contacted to guarantee the best possible rate structure.
Occupancy-Based Controls:
Building occupancy has fluctuated over the past few years as businesses sort out their work-from-home, hybrid work, and back-to-office time policies. Controlling activities in a space based on occupancy that varies daily and even hour to hour is one of the most important themes in smart buildings.
Controls based on occupancy are not new. The phrase "demand-controlled ventilation," which has been mandated by ASHRAE 90.1 for some time, may be recognizable to facility managers. However, just as building automation systems become more sophisticated, and sensors become more advanced, occupancy-based control has the potential to significantly improve facilities.
Energy savings and increased occupant comfort are the key advantages of an advanced occupancy-based control system. Setpoints for HVAC systems can be retracted by two to three degrees or more when occupancy sensors indicate an area is empty, saving energy. Occupancy sensors detect the number of people using a place, allowing for ongoing optimization of lighting and humidity levels to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort.
Cybersecurity:
There are more opportunities to bring about positive change in smarter buildings. However, this also increases the possibility that malicious actors can access these systems. Ransomware assaults are becoming more frequent in healthcare settings. These assaults cost a company millions of dollars and cripple its operations by stealing its data.
The role of facility managers in enhancing the cybersecurity of smart building systems has increased over the past several years and will only get bigger.
Digital Twins:
Facility managers are familiar with the idea of digital twins, particularly if they have worked with Building Information Models (BIMs) in the context of operations or maintenance schedules.
A building's digital twin is intended to be simple, serving as a single repository providing the most comprehensive view of the structure. There are numerous advantages. One benefit is that judgments can be made faster and with the most up-to-date information. Eliminate the need to constantly flip between spreadsheets and reports generated by the building automation system. Thanks to using digital twin technology for simulations and real-time data, facility managers may not even need to decide. All they have to do is select the simulation option that yields the best result, which may be reduced maintenance costs or increased energy efficiency.
These are the four major trends in smart buildings.
