Page 65 - RC21 EDGE Summer Issue

Custom Applications
Smart building cloud-based analytics and integration enables the creation of smaller, more customized applications that can be used by building owners and service contractors. There are, for example, apps that enhance the occupant experience by providing individualized control of their environment and access to building amenities and wayfinding
on a user’s smartphone. One such customized app is from Datakwip, offering a platform that is readily adaptable to support microgrid demand-to-supply side integration, analysis and management for both predictive and live load balancing.
Contractors can apply this technology to test and balance, commissioning and IAQ services using
the cloud analytics and then connecting to the BMS sensors. If necessary, the contractor can easily add wireless IoT devices for more sensors to complete their work. In addition, applications can be customized to meet an owner’s specific needs. Green technologies also can be enhanced with algorithms that will make more efficient use of solar, battery and thermal storage technology. The possibilities are endless in harnessing the power and flexibility of AI to building systems.
Concerns
While the news from these enhancements to smart buildings has been good overall, there are some concerns worth noting.
Integration of multiple control platforms has resulted
in a dramatic increase in the amount of data available
to building operators. At first, this was welcomed. Dan Moore, principal of Essex Consulting Group (an MSI company) related how one customer, “was so excited, ‘I receive 10,000 data points every week,’ he said. A month
later, he was saying, ‘I receive 10,000 data points every week and [don’t know what to do with them].’” To make this data useful, operational technology knowledge and building systems experience is needed.
“There are companies that have outstanding IT capability and can create fantastic integrated systems, but there is a gap when it comes to reacting to building system issues, such as chiller or HVAC problems,” Martin said. “Building operators need to make sure that their integrators aren’t just MSIs but B-MSIs—building master systems integrators.”
As Martin points out, this is important to companies such as Albireo as they don’t want smart building projects to fail. “If one company fails, we all fail, as it can hurt the reputation of the entire smart building process.”.
In addition, building operators need to have in-house technical skills (or outsource them) to manage the smart building controls. A lack of proficient staff will only result in frustration with the system and eventual disregard of its capabilities. Many integrators are addressing this by offering long-term service contracts and training.
Cybersecurity
Of course, the elephant in the room is how can this
data be shared safely to the cloud? Uploading huge amounts of data then using it to operate IoT devices for building controls creates cybersecurity risks that require attention.
Tom Shircliff, principal with Intelligent Buildings, which specializes in cybersecurity for building systems, said, “The challenge is two-fold: keep the systems and data safe, but also maintain continuous operations. That can create competing priorities between the IT and
The development of powerful AI for building systems, combined with the evolution of cloud computing as a commodity and the continued increase in processing power, has made it possible to integrate control platforms without the need for the open protocol hardware devices.
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