intelligent building designs for smart cities

1. Energy and Sustainability

Energy efficiency is important for any building as they account for 70% energy consumption in urban cities, emitting 30% of greenhouse gases. Smart buildings use sensors to track energy consumption and increase efficiency through constant monitoring of supply and demand.

The buildings are connected to the main grid of the smart city and can learn about the resident's energy needs. By tracking data and syncing with the main grid, online buildings can also respond to weather and occupancy changes and automatically adjust for maximum efficiency.

For example, sensors of a smart building can understand when a room is empty. The data is transmitted to the lighting system which cuts down the resources in the vacant spaces, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

Each building also uses its own microgrid and connects with the main grid to balance supply fluctuations and bring down overall energy demand.

The data and insights produced by smart buildings can cut down energy consumption and aid in climate and sustainability objectives. As a result, they can facilitate management and improve public health.

2. Optimized HVAC Solutions

Web-enabled smart buildings use advanced software to optimize HVAC systems. The software can maintain a set temperature by automatically controlling the speed of fans and pumps, water flow, opening of airways and so on. This is crucial as heating and cooling can make up 1/3 of the total water consumption of the building.

For example, a 200,000 square feet building with normal HVAC can use 2,000 tons of cooling power around the clock. When you install a network-based HVAC which automatically determines the most efficient ways to ventilate, heat and cool, you can save at least 350,000 gallons of water each year.

Automated HVAC maximizes the performance of the whole building, achieving significant carbon dioxide reduction. A 2-million square feet building can reduce as much as 3,000 tons of CO2 annually.

3. Smart Sensors

For buildings to fit into smart cities, they must be able to discern what's happening in the environment (both outside and inside of the building). The intelligent buildings are fitted with numerous sensors which act just like human senses.

Using the sensors the building can determine the temperature, occupancy of an apartment, CO2 levels, light intensity, noise levels and so on. The sensors are also able to detect gas leaks, water leaks and other hazards at the right time to minimize damages and waste.

The sensors are integrated with devices and actuators which can control various aspects of the building such as lighting, heating, entertainment systems, air conditioning and other engineering systems. This enables a building to change its state smartly in response to various drivers.

4. Advanced Software

Online buildings use sensors and meters to collect raw data. But to make use of the data, it needs an advanced software. All smart buildings operate through a software which helps it to gather useful information and learn from it. The software also helps the building to make decisions and predict upcoming environmental and people activities.

The software makes use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enable buildings manage themselves efficiently without the need for human intervention.

5. Connectivity

You will need a communication network to operate the building as a whole. Smart buildings are connected through a communication network or internet which works as the nervous system of the property. The network connects all the sensors and devices with the AI-capable software and facilitates the transfer of information and data.

The network is the basis of Internet of Things (IoT) which connects and syncs all the engineering systems, voice, data, digital signage and more in the building. IoT uses internet to create integrated smart buildings in an economical manner and support the intelligent features. The network enables human-to-machine and machine-to-machine communication in the building through wireless connectivity.

Different buildings in a smart city can connect to each other using cloud platforms to create smart grid infrastructure. The infrastructure is responsible for coordination between the buildings, schools, hospitals, stores, homes- enabling you to run smart cities efficiently and intelligently.

6. Enhanced Building Security

Online buildings use their network-based systems to heighten building security. You can automate various aspects like visitor check-in without the need of any human representative.

For example, it is possible to carry our visitor registration directly from your email client. The visitors directly get the barcodes emailed to them which they can use for automated check-ins.

Smart buildings also use security protocols like wireless intrusion detection system. You can automate the security of spaces during off-hours using a range of motion sensors and mobile applications. Any moment an employee steps in the office during off-hours, you can know who has arrived using the access control systems.

Smart buildings can also reduce the cost of security operations. A single security guard can keep an eye on who's in the building, remotely lock and unlock doors and control security functions. You don't need to employ multiple guards to do the rounds.

7. Fire and Safety

Network-based buildings have advance fire systems which work on a preventive approach. The sensors are able to detect fires the moment they start and automatically turn on the sprinklers. You can also run automated functional checks for disaster management.

8. Remotely Controlled Appliances

For any business with large scale business operations, network-based refrigerator system with sensors are a major boon. They make operations convenient and also bring down your cost. You can safeguard yourself against major losses that come with rotten or unusable products.

The freezer systems can monitor temperatures with remote reporting on energy consumption, humidity, ambient temperature, light and more. Medical facilities can also take advantage of the remote monitoring of cooling devices. 

With IoT you can also control your building lighting, ventilation and more through mobile apps. You don't always need to be around to know what's going on in your home!

High Efficiency

One of the most important benefits of smart buildings is energy efficiency. Most buildings spend a substantial amount of money on energy use as a part of their operating expenses. The amount can be as much as one-third of the total operating budget.

Smart buildings optimize energy by gaining control over the internal or external conditions. They monitor energy use to ensure optimum consumption at all times. As a result, you can enjoy higher efficiency and lower costs using the smart systems.

Lower Consumption

Greater efficiency automatically translates to lower consumption. Through optimized systems like HVAC and balancing of grid power, you can cut down energy consumption by 30% to 35%. Intelligent buildings may also use renewable sources of energy to further lower consumption of conventional energy.

You can always expect a significant return on investment by going for an intelligent building.

Accurate Audits

The sensors in smart buildings monitor energy parameters in real-time round the clock. Building managers can use the data to analyze and improve energy optimization. The data is stored centrally and available for energy audits. You can get accurate information on consumption and spending patterns, making way for more efficient audits.

Improved Facility Operations

Smart buildings operate in an energy-efficient manner to reduce your costs. They offer extended structural and operational lifecycle compared to regular buildings. You can also leverage the data collected by the systems to run your facility more efficiently.

Enhanced Building Management

The centralized data and automated systems reduce the headaches of building managers to a great extent. You can improve the performance value of your building through the precision-integrated systems.

Building operations are also simplified, as you don't need to manage the operation of multiple independent systems.

Predictive Maintenance

Sensors used in online buildings can assess the technical performance of systems in real-time. If the sensors detect any malfunctions, they can automatically run maintenance procedures even before sounding an alert. You can detect issues instantly, and use the data to diagnose and repair the equipments.