An ‘intelligent building’ or ‘smart building’ or ‘automated building’ can be describe as that which involve the use of technology and process to create a building that is safer and more productive for its occupants and more operationally efficient for its owners. By delivering multiple user, operator and environmental benefits, an intelligent building can be managed and monitored from a single, centralised control room. The results from implementing these technologies and processes are buildings that cost less to operate and are worth more to their occupants.
For projects that are owner occupied, such as corporate, government, and institutions, the benefits of an intelligent building provide an immediate ROI (return on investment) in terms of higher employee productivity and reduced operating expenses. For commercial developments, these projects are expected to result in above market rents, improved occupants retention, higher occupancy rates, and lower operating expenses.
Intelligent buildings take into consideration all, or some of the following:
- Construction
- HVAC
- Electrical
- Digital lighting control systems
- Metering
- Fire alarms
- Communication and network infrastructure
- CCTV
- Audio/video
- Access control and security
- Building energy management systems
- Systems integration
- Plumbing and water
- Facilities management
The goal of having an intelligent building only starts with early planning in the design stage. In many ways, this mirrors the design and fulfilment of many green projects today, but it uses technology to provide for a superior space. There are enormous benefits to be gained by creating intelligent buildings.
Examples of how technology helped provide energy efficiency and a superior environment
Source: Automatedbuildings.com (2005)
Features of intelligent buildings | Benefits |
· Dimmable fluorescent lighting integrated with sun blind control | · Optimal lighting level and quality can be determined by the occupants. |
· Lighting control with motion sensors integrated with security | · Only provide lighting as needed. Reduces energy use and increases security. |
· Natural and displacement ventilation. | · More efficient and effective distribution of ventilation. |
· Use of economizers for free cooling. | · Energy efficiency. |
· Individual temperature and lighting control. | · Improved comfort is shown to improve productivity. |
· Radiant heating and cooling. | · Improved comfort, reduced energy use. |
· Optimised control algorithms. | · Reduce energy use with little or no impact on comfort. |
· Combined heat and power plants. | · Improved energy efficiency and sustainability. |
· After hours control of lights and HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) integrated with security. | · Improved security while reducing energy use. |
· Monitoring of IAQ (internal air quality) and contaminants. | · Improved comfort, safety, and productivity. |
References
Automatedbuildings.com (2005). What is an intelligent building? http://www.automated buildings.com/news/aug05/articles/ibtpe/ibtpe.htm
Boston Networks (2017). Intelligent buildings. http://www.bostonnetworks.co.uk/intelligent-buildings-W21page-234-
