Why are smart buildings important?
Why do we need smart buildings?
The world is changing and evolving constantly, along with our priorities – there is now a heightened focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, wellbeing and connectivity. These challenges have been gradually getting addressed for some time, however, the pandemic may have accelerated the uptake further. There is a need for remote monitoring, preventative maintenance, and truly usable spaces.
A smart building is a living asset that is utilised by building and facility managers to improve operations. It is connected, using technology to automate processes and control building services including lighting, heating, air conditioning, security, etc. This is achieved through a network of sensors, wired and wireless technology and microchips to collect and aggregate data into a user interface which takes the guess work out of building control and maintenance.
Our buildings are becoming part of the Internet Of Things (IoT) and being used as an asset that is flexible and can adapt to change.
The ‘need’ for smart buildings has always been there, we just didn’t know that 20 years ago, technology wasn’t advanced enough, and the possibility wasn’t in our consciousness – but we are now seeing everything come together. Buildings are no longer solid, fixed, segregated lumps of concrete, they are extensions of the digital realm offering new capabilities that not only make our lives easier but also healthier and allow us to make better decisions. .
One of the many way’s buildings can become smart is through smart lighting, lighting is ubiquitous, therefore connecting each luminaire allows sensors within the lighting to monitor occupancy, temperature, and much more. Advanced interoperability also allows other devices and systems within a building or room to be connected, meaning everything is monitored through one centralised user interface - effectively creating a building management lighting control system.
The global smart lighting market size is projected to reach $38.68 billion by 2026, to register a CAGR of 20.5% during the forecast period (Allied Market Research 2019). This growth is a reflection of the demand and necessity for smart lighting, it ultimately creates smart buildings – with improved health and reduced energy consumption as key drivers.
Roger Woodward, Smart Buildings Consultant, believes “the time of smart lighting has arrived!”. In an interview with amBX he stated “data unlocks the power to offer services that have always been there, but their full potential failed to be utilised due to the inaccessibility of data and the inability to quickly and easily view it and interact with it. Asset utilisation, space utilisation, energy, HVAC, security, air quality, etc. can be converged off-site and into a platform whereby people can actually use it”.
“It has also accelerated the engagement of the major IT companies, so we’re seeing Microsoft, Amazon, and Google actively getting engaged now with buildings and I think a lot of that is down to the different demands within our buildings now”. To read Rogers interview in full, click here.
“A truly smart building is one where energy use, occupant wellbeing and resource utilisation can be controlled and optimised as a whole and not in competing parts. Where the interfaces are task and user-focused and changes to space, layout and use are easily accommodated.”
Technology
Protocol agnostic solutions are thriving at the moment as they break down the barriers that have hindered the smart building revolution happening sooner, they can communicate in a variety of ‘languages’ which allow all aspects of a building to connect.
This communication technology is segmented into wired and wireless solutions. Protocols include: ZIGBEE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, PoE, MQTT, http, DALI, DMX & Artnet and many more. This means there are numerous solutions readily available for both new builds and retrofits, depending on requirements, costs and infrastructure.
“Wired technology is augmenting the maximum [market] share as it is considered to be 20% - 30% less expensive than…wireless along with reduced energy consumption. Wireless technology is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the forecasting period due to increasing accessibility of open-source software and advancement in wireless technologies and rising demand of wireless smart lighting systems for both building and home automation” (Data Bridge Market Research 2019).
What is possible?
Energy-Efficient Lighting Control
Reduced energy consumption
One of the biggest appeals of smart buildings is their superior energy efficiency, ‘integration with artificial intelligence and IoT in lighting systems provides operational efficiencies such as…intelligent illumination as per the requirement’ (Allied Market Research 2019). Also, smart sensors can monitor the light level in a room and dim down the artificial lighting if enough natural light is entering a room – this is much more than a simple on/off sensor. A building can be scheduled to go into night time mode after 6pm and be controlled remotely for dramatically improved control.
Building Occupants Made a Priority
Improved wellbeing
The advent of circadian lighting allows building occupants to ensure they receive the right amount of light as well as the right colour and intensity of light for their health and wellbeing. Research studies indicate that circadian lighting can lead to improved mental health, sleep patterns, comfort, productivity, and general wellbeing. This is especially important if occupants are spending a large amount of time indoors as the circadian clocks can easily get out of sync leading to feelings of lethargy, head aches and it has even been linked to more serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cancer.
To understand more about smart buildings, read about the IoT transformation in Georgia-Pacific headquarters.
IoT TRANSFORMATION IN GEORGIA-PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS
Location: Atlanta, United States
View the Case Study HERE
Advanced Lighting Management
Improved operations
Having a user-interface that is easy to use and navigate is essential – allowing building and facility managers to view data collected from various sources and operate systems both remotely or onsite. This is especially important given the current situation with COVID-19, whereby managers need to ensure a building is kept operational even though occupants maybe working from home. This can therefore save a great deal or time and cost.
Sophisticated Data Convergence
Improved insight
The data converged into one platform allows managers to make quick value judgements, they can understand how their building is being used and therefore improve efficiencies and save energy by learning patterns e.g., the lights in a building maybe programmed to turn on at 7am but the security system may show that occupants generally enter the building around 8.30am therefore energy can be saved or it may reveal that a part of the office is no longer utilised therefore they could downside their space and save further costs.
To find out more about our intelligent lighting control system - SmartCore, click here or contact us below