Use Case: Smart Building Projects Powered with IoT

Smart Buildings, powered with IoT connectivity, have emerged as intelligent ecosystems where data-driven automation, analytics, and real-time insights change the way we interact with built environments. With IoT interconnected systems it is possible to enhance comfort, security, and resource management, while also reducing environmental impact. From intelligent lighting and climate control to predictive maintenance and occupancy analytics, the possibilities of IoT in Smart Buildings are gradually changing urban living and commercial spaces.

Devices Used in Smart Building 

The most obvious functions available with IoT-powered smart building include: 

• Tracking occupant presence, behavior, and patterns 

• Automatically adapting and synchronizing lighting, temperature, and parking based on usage patterns 

• Enhancing indoor air quality through advanced climate control mechanisms 

• Anticipating maintenance issues and offering troubleshooting insights 

• Generating comprehensive data about the building's core system energy consumption, enabling strategic upgrades and optimizations 

 For these goals, the devices used within smart buildings may include: 

When it comes to connectivity modems, modules and chipsets the leaders in Smart Building are Quectel, Telit, u-blox, SIMCom, NimbeLink, Sequans, Particle, Digi International, Soracom.

Energy Saving with Intelligent Building: HVAC and Lighting

• Challenge

  Global electricity demand is significantly influenced by buildings, which contribute to 55% of this demand. 

• Solution

  Smart buildings utilize IoT-connected sensors to monitor energy consumption in real-time. Data-driven insights enable optimized control of HVAC, lighting, and other systems. Automated adjustments based on occupancy and external conditions significantly reduce energy wastage. The implementation of smart building solutions has the potential to reduce electricity demand by 10%, while also streamlining site visits and enhancing the efficiency of deployed assets. consumption can be conserved. Automating and bringing IoT into building systems can significantly enhance energy efficiency. Find more in the Transforma Insights report.

Supporting Occupant Comfort

• Challenge

  Providing consistent comfort to building occupants, including temperature control and air quality, can be challenging without real-time insights. 

• Solution 

  Enhancing occupants' comfort through smart building technology involves personalized climate control, occupancy sensors, and adaptive lighting. For instance, sensors can adjust temperature and lighting based on room occupancy, saving energy when spaces are vacant. Daylight harvesting sensors optimize natural light levels, creating a pleasant environment. Feedback mechanisms and remote access allow occupants to fine-tune settings through smartphones, while continuous monitoring and data analysis ensure ongoing comfort optimization based on occupancy patterns and preferences.

Asset Management and Resource Allocation 

• Challenge

  Reactive maintenance and inefficient asset management can lead to costly downtime and increased operational expenses. At the same time, inefficient use of available space can lead to underutilization and wasted resources. 

• Solution 

  Only in 2019, approximately 3.23 million building automation systems were shipped to Europe and North America according to Berg Insight. One of the reasons is the necessity of remote monitoring and alerts via IoT connectivity, which helps prevent loss or theft of valuable assets. IoT sensors track occupancy and space utilization patterns and transfer this data via IoT SIMs, WiFi, or other networks to the cloud system. This information guides efficient space allocation, allowing facility managers to optimize layouts and resource allocation based on actual usage.

Find more information about the role of IoT in automation building systems and tracking in the Berg Insight report.

Security and Safety

• Challenge 

  Conventional security systems may lack real-time monitoring and response capabilities. 

• Solution 

  IoT-based security systems integrate sensors, cameras, and access control which enable real-time monitoring and data analysis for immediate alerts and automated responses to potential threats. This is especially important when maintaining electrical safety within building systems. Smart meters utilizing IoT technology are employed to oversee electrical systems and identify issues like voltage irregularities and breaker malfunctions. This way, they can enhance building efficiency, elevate the quality of occupant interactions, and uphold safety standards. 

Environmental Sustainability 

• Challenge 

  Buildings contribute significantly to environmental impact through energy consumption and resource usage. 

• Solution 

  IoT-enabled energy monitoring, predictive analytics, and sustainability measures optimize resource usage. Smart grids, renewable energy integration, and waste management systems reduce the environmental footprint of smart buildings. IoT Smart Building helps to reduce environmental impact, promote sustainability, and advocate for environmentally conscious options. For instance, an occupancy sensor can decrease carbon dioxide emissions in a setting. As the sensor detects reduced activity, it communicates with the building management system to deactivate heating, ventilation, and lighting. Upon people's return, these systems revert to their standard comfortable for people operation.