Walter Yu, P.E., LEED AP

Looking to computers to give buildings their brain.

Smart buildings have grown from buzzword to reality as their mechanical systems have grown increasingly automated.

They are called smart for their ability to regular HVAC systems, lighting and even elevator loads as in the case of the newly opened Burj Dubai.

Although smart buildings have come a long way, they are becoming dated in the way their systems transfer data and allowing for upgrades.

An article in the Journal of Commerce points out that designer should look to the Internet on making smart buildings smarter. The concept began with smart grids developed by power utilities that can regulate demand and help stabilize the system during peak demand.

Researchers in the energy field suggest that similar systems should be used for buildings, which is how computers connect and form the Internet. Rather collecting all building systems in one central location be monitored as is the current common practice, sensors can be installed within building systems to communicate to each other to create an intranet of sensors.

Current building design, however, are geared towards centralized systems – hence the terms such as central heating, which are controlled by a thermostat. Adding networking sensors would be prohibitively expensive, and the Journal of Commerce article cites a number of $1000 to install a $1 sensor within centralized systems.

The vision that researchers imagine is where the smart grid providing power to a building will communicate within sensors. Not only will the sensors gather data real-time, they will also transfer data to the smart grid to adjust power loading.

Although this may still be some time away, this concept has upstart the idea of centralizing building system controls and open it up for re-consideration towards truly smart buildings.