Differences between Automated, Smart and Cognitive Buildings.
Posted on Actuated Valves, Energy Efficiency, international water, international water news, Renewable Energy, Water Construction News, Water Efficiency, Water Safety July 25, 2018 by Vittorio
Awareness of the impact our buildings have on the environment, particularly energy consumption and the release of greenhouse gases, has pushed us to the frontier of building automation. But automation means more than just setting and forgetting.
Here is the path we have followed since the beginning of building management to the present and what we can expect to see more of in the future.
Automated Buildings
The 1980s saw the introduction of Building Management Systems (BMS), also known as Building Automation Systems (BAS). These are centrally controlled systems that manage the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system as well as lighting, security and safety systems.
They ensure that set-points are maintained and any deviation in performance triggers an alarm. Thus equipment failures are picked up sooner and can be addressed earlier than systems not connected to a central controller.
Automation in buildings also allows for coordination between systems that would otherwise have conflicts.
Smart Buildings
The next step up in automation is the smart building. Simply automating a building has limits on how much energy savings can be realized. Smart building technology allows for more data collection and analysis to assess energy consumption.
This works hand in hand with efforts to reduce utility bills and keep the building at optimum performance for its occupants.
While is more expensive and time consuming to set up than a simple automation system, the savings you realize will offset the increased cost.
Cognitive Buildings
The way we relate to our surroundings impacts mood, performance and health. “Cognitive buildings” is a term used by IBM to refer to building automation that takes controls to the next level.
These buildings of the future will be capable of monitoring building occupancy by tracking movements through the building while ensuring that personal preferences are maintained and minimal energy is used.
The goal of this type of system is to balance environmental goals with comfort, safety and security. Cognitive building systems also promise to heighten employee comfort (and by extension, performance) by optimizing lighting, temperature and humidity at a localized (desk) level.
The Role of Actuators
None of these control systems will work properly without the right actuators to carry out the functions specified by the central command. At Enolgas, we provide electric actuators that ensure your building’s performance meets your building management expectations.
