SMART CITIES
emissions in 2017, according to a UN report. With smart IoT
technology, buildings can be more energy efficient reducing
their environmental footprint and saving operational costs.
The IoT connects mechanical and electrical systems within
a building and enables communication between the devices.
The resulting smart systems monitor themselves, and each
other, and act upon the data they receive. HVAC equipment
and lighting can be controlled and monitored automatically,
optimising the building’s infrastructure according to pre-set
parameters such as business hours, occupancy, outside
temperature and daylight levels. The smart building thereby
achieves energy savings and a reduction in CO2 emissions
while at the same time increasing the comfort for the
occupants.
According to a study conducted by British Gas, 46% of
business energy is consumed outside of regular business
hours: between 6pm and 8am. If smart technology were
to be utilised to its full potential in buildings, the energy
consumption could be significantly reduced. Automatically
shutting down non-essential equipment after close of
business or running assets at a minimum are valuable
solutions smart technology can provide.
Installing smart technology in buildings isn’t just a chance
for businesses to decrease operational costs. It can also turn
buildings into strategic assets helping businesses to achieve
their objectives, rather than solely being overheads. Smart
technology can help streamline conference room use, showing
availability and reporting faulty equipment which can help
eliminate time wasted overbooking conflicts or trying to
fix equipment during meetings. It can also regulate office
temperatures and lighting so that both are at the optimum
levels to foster productivity.
Bluetooth technology
With the numerous benefits of smart technology comes
the challenge of installing it. Establishing wire connections
between the hundreds of devices operating in a building
is labour, resource and time-intensive. While wireless
technologies are available, concerns about their reliability
have made facility managers reluctant to implement them in
the past.
Bluetooth technology released earlier this year offers a
solution to overcome these concerns. The Bluetooth 5.1 mesh
system is a robust, reliable wireless system, ideal for picking
up multiple data points or controlling simple outputs. With
the Bluetooth mesh system, devices can hop from one to the
next to find reliable and secure paths for the data. The system
can be implemented in any building to avoid installing a large
number of cables, and it’s ideal for large buildings, space-
restricted areas and retrofitting purposes.
Energy-positive buildings
A standout example in the smart building development
for offices is Powerhouse Brattørkaia, an energy-positive
building that was unveiled in Norway in August 2019. The
largest building of its kind, it will generate more energy
in its operational phase than it will consume through
construction, operation and disposal of the building. Using
a combination of renewable energy sources such as solar
panels and architectural design such as using special concrete
to regulate temperatures. The energy production and usage
are controlled and monitored via IoT devices and any surplus
energy is used to charge electric cars, those transactions being
monitored by both the building’s and the car’s technology.
The future of smart cities
Currently, there are four energy-positive buildings in Norway.
While they show a glimpse of the possible future for smart
cities, it remains exactly that for many communities: a
futuristic ideal. At the moment, cities across the globe
face numerous challenges when it comes to implementing
smart technology. Ranging from concerns over privacy and
cybersecurity to simple funding problems, various factors
can slow down a city’s smart transformation. However, the
trend doesn’t show any signs of stopping, with governments
supporting the construction of smart cities.
Part of the EU’s 20-20-20 targets is the constructions of
smart cities to reach sustainability goals, outlining plans of
bringing together small cities, businesses and organisations
to develop and implement innovative solutions. Despite the
challenges they’re facing, with new technologies emerging
and governments supporting the concept, smart cities
currently present a viable solution to increase the
sustainability of urban spaces. n
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