SMART BUILDINGS
In 1883, Warren Johnson of Johnson Controls created
the first building automation Systems: a mechanical
thermostat turned on a light, prompting a janitor to shovel
coal into a furnace. In the early 1970s, more advanced
mechanical systems came along: a thermostat was
pneumatically connected to machinery that regulated
temperature. By the 1980s, computerised systems
were used for control of the predominately mechanical
thermostats and actuators. Then, by the 1990s, electronic
thermostats and control systems were being connected to
computer networks and the web.
For years, HVAC control systems were proprietary and
mostly self-contained. However, building automation
control network (BACnet) standardisation changed
things. This protocol allows proprietary HVAC systems, or
components from different manufacturers to communicate
and facilitates centralised operational control of their
functions. In fact, the integration of HVAC control and
functionality across systems is what most building owners
and facility managers used as their definition of building
automation for several decades. By this definition, building
automation would primarily benefit the building owner
or facility management by, for example, reducing energy
costs and maintenance.
By Todd Harpel, Standardisation
Director, Nexans
www.nexans.com
Cabling for intelligent buildings so
platforms and components can
communicate as a whole
Modern automation
Today’s intelligent buildings are an altogether different
proposition. A truly intelligent building relies on new
technologies to create an environment that is safer, more
productive and easier to manage in an efficient and
cost-effective way. Intelligent buildings feature sensors
and devices that allow us to represent physical objects,
systems and spaces digitally. These Building lnternet of
Things (BIoT) devices can collect data from many different
systems and aggregate it for analysis by specialised
software that can yield many benefits.
Looking at the economic benefits, energy efficiency
which is closely related to reducing operating costs is
an important target outcome of intelligent buildings.
PoE-based LED lighting, for example, can save up to
80% energy compared to legacy systems. In addition
to operational cost benefits, the scope of intelligent
building beneficiaries now also encompasses the building
inhabitants.
New evaluation criteria focuses on productivity and
people, and not just the functioning of the building
itself. Intelligent buildings have been shown to increase
employee productivity, yielding a hidden financial benefit.
From a social perspective, we see that safety, security and
the health and well-being of occupants is becoming more
important as well. Building intelligence also enhances
environmental responsibility and sustainability, and links
to smart cities and urban planning. What’s more, building
intelligence boosts resilience, enabling faster recovery from
disasters or other adverse conditions, for example.
The convergence of operational technology (OT)
functional control that comes with creating intelligent
building networks means IT and facilities management
teams need to work together in entirely new ways.
Rethinking basic infrastructure is essential. Historically,
field bus OT networks and IT networks have always
been regarded as two separate things. However, when
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