The transition intelligent buildings is well underway, shows a survey of building owners and facility managers by Building Operating Management and Navigant Research. For example, 58 percent of respondents reported that they’ve installed or are currently investigating the use of smart sensors. Other key Building Internet of Things technologies are also gaining acceptance, the survey shows.
These technologies are changing the way building owners and facility managers design and operate commercial buildings. The proliferation of sensing, automation, and control devices, along with software and services, underscores the transition in building management toward more strategic cost containment, energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant satisfaction.
However, even as Building IoT technology is helping transform commercial facilities into intelligent buildings, the survey shows that there is also confusion among building owners and facility managers responsible for large commercial and institutional buildings. That confusion could slow investment, and delay the achievement of the benefits of intelligent building technology.
The most obvious advantage is energy cost savings. But other gains are also important. One key example is revenue generating interactions with the energy grid through utility demand response programs.
Current intelligent-building technology sets the stage for the transformation of facility interface to enable seamless integration with the power grid. In addition to its role in saving energy, the intelligent building can leverage technology infrastructure to become an interactive asset in the evolving grid ecosystem, known as the Building2Grid concept.
The results indicate the market is still maturing, with growing awareness of investment benefits but room for greater education on Building IoT technology benefits. In the last couple of years, customers have allocated budget for energy efficiency and intelligent building technologies — for example, with substantial investment in smart sensors, smart LED systems, and smart thermostats — but their confidence in ongoing commitments to the investments is unclear. Customers are still solidifying the business case for investment, but substantial increases in spending suggest there is momentum toward greater investment.
This survey provides a quick benchmark for building owners and facility managers who are interested in what their peers are doing, as well as an overview of key concepts.
