Author
Ispran Kandasamy, Ph.D.
There are more people living and working in Asia than in any other part of the world, placing increased stress on space and energy supply. Energy reduction and space optimization are now fundamental objectives of many Asian economies. One important approach that can help reduce energy consumption and increase space optimization is to invest in intelligent building solutions.
Approximately 60 percent of the world’s population is in Asia, and the demographic of the people living and working in Asia is changing. The UN (UNDP 2012) estimates that, by 2030, the urban population in Asia will grow by more than 800 million people. Consequently the number of mega cities (cities with a population of more than 10 million people) is spreading rapidly across Asia. The role of technology in how we design, build and operate buildings in these cities is becoming more important.
Traditionally, buildings are constructed before a host of different network infrastructures are embedded to support important services. This retroactive approach produces what I call a “dead” building, and the opportunity to optimize space and reduce energy consumption is lost.
Advances in technology now permit a pro-active approach to developing a “living” intelligent building. A single common infrastructure is deployed, supporting critical building services such as:
- Cellular coverage
- Video & data
- LED lighting
- Heating & cooling
- Building automation systems
The key is that the building’s network is based on a high performance twisted pair cable infrastructure. This enables IP-based device connectivity, meets the requirements of the latest Wireless LAN standards (IEEE 802.3 11ac), enables remote powering by meeting the latest Power over Ethernet standards (IEEE 802.3af 2012), supports ubiquitous cellular coverage through distributed antenna system (DAS) deployment and allows LED-based smart lighting and sensors to be used.
Power used for lighting is a significant element in the total power budget for a building. LED lighting with smart control systems, powered over the same twisted pair cable, has been shown to dramatically reduce light power consumption. The addition of sensors embedded in the lighting fixture, effectively distributed throughout the fabric of the building, allows new data sets to be collected and analyzed for better space optimization.
In Asia, where energy and space are at a premium due to its growing population, buildings designed and built with a common network infrastructure can reduce energy costs and improve space utilization. Look for this growing demand on space and energy to play a vital role in the rise of intelligent buildings—not only in Asia but in cities around the world.
If you have any questions about intelligent building solutions, leave a comment below.
