Data Analytics & Smart Building Science Articles | Buildings IOT Blog

College campuses are highly structured, controlled environments that can serve as innovation hubs to create energy-efficient, sustainable, and carbon-neutral premises. By conducting energy audits and identifying the activities contributing significantly to higher electricity costs, campuses can come up with solutions to achieve energy efficiency goals. With a growing focus on the clean energy future, colleges and universities can implement a few innovative ways to make energy usage on campus more efficient.  

The cannabis market is thriving. Driven by both legalization and growing demand, the value of the industry is expected to reach $56 billion globally by 2026. But as the market expands, it becomes more competitive. Capitalizing on the opportunities within this industry requires smart decisions and wise investments that improve efficiency and maximize yield. That starts with cannabis facility design that utilizes automation and integration between facility systems.

Sustaining a cannabis cultivation operation means creating the right conditions for the plants to grow. These conditions need to not only mimic those found in the natural world, they must offer an optimal environment in which cannabis will flourish. Cutting-edge cannabis facilities achieve this through strategic automation and efficient maintenance. 

Chilled water-based cooling systems account for significant energy consumption and maintenance costs in large commercial premises. As an individual component of the HVAC system, even a super-efficient chiller plant cannot meet ambitious energy targets on its own. A robust chiller plant optimization system driven by a smart building platform is the key to achieving peak efficiency and performance.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has blurred the line between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). Monitoring tools that can see both sides of this fuzzy boundary are the future for data management and security operations in the built environment, especially within industrial settings.

As the built environment becomes ever more connected through Internet of Things (IoT) technology, building management system cybersecurity has become a considerable concern. There are now myriad examples of bad actors using vulnerable IoT networks to gain access to valuable data and cause harm. 

Earlier this year, four leading tech companies announced they will work with the University of Miami Institute for Data Science and Computing (IDSC) to identify ways in which IoT, data analytics, and cleanroom technology can be combined for real-time building air quality monitoring.

Lighting accounts for 17% of all energy consumed in commercial buildings across the U.S and is one of the largest sources of total electricity consumption in the commercial sector. Improving efficiency can therefore translate to significant savings. You can get started on reducing the cost of electricity in your facilities by taking a closer look at commercial building lighting energy consumption and the potential of efficiency-focused smart technology.

Many larger structures pair their HVAC systems with chiller plants to keep their indoor spaces cool. According to the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Star program, only 18% of commercial floor space in the United States uses chiller systems. But that number rises to nearly 40% when we look at commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet. Chiller systems are common in airports, shopping malls, factories, hotels, and hospitals.

Building sustainable infrastructure and minimizing carbon emissions is critical to creating financially viable and environmentally responsible businesses. In the industrial sector, that means reimagining the way warehouses and distribution centers operate. From initial design to day-to-day maintenance, using innovative strategies to improve energy efficiency in warehouses and distribution centers has a significant impact on both the environment and your bottom line.