Intelligent Buildings
Overview
It is predicted that by the year 2020, over two-thirds of the world's population will be living in urban areas.  Rapid urbanization in recent years has caused cities to be overcrowded and heavily polluted, but with this brings the need for space.  Society's desperate attempt to resolve this problem comes in the form of the high-rise building also known as the skyscraper.  This is just one of the reasons explaining the need for large buildings.  Other reasons include the population explosion and the increased scale of large corporations and institutions.
For whatever reason the building might be built, one fact cannot be disputed: Large-scale buildings are here to stay.    However, they do bring with them their share of problems that need to be solved.  These include air circulation and control, temperature control, lighting, and large amounts of energy usage and wastage as a result of inefficient and ineffective policies and procedures.  Intelligent buildings provide a solution to not necessarily dispose of the problem altogether, but to minimize it to the lowest level possible.
The technological aspect of such a system is composed of operations that can be divided into four categories, Energy efficiency, Lifesafety systems, telecommunication systems and workplace automation.  It is believed that an ideal intelligent building integrates all four of these aspects into one computerized system.

Energy Efficiency
 The aim with regards to the energy policy in light of intelligent buildings is to reduce consumption to the lowest level possible, and to be able to recycle and reuse energy and materials wherever possible.  However, in practice this is not as simple.  One of the more serious factors influencing this aspect is cost.  Whether the building is already in place or still being designed, the cost and more importantly, the opportunity cost of implementing such a system needs to be taken into account.  Examples of an array of solutions range from heat-sensored lights, solar panels, automated airflow and temperature control.

Lifesafety Systems
 Although the applications of such a system are more security-oriented, it requires a high level of technology and the integration of such a system would only support the attempt to make a more energy-efficient building.  For example, should a card-access system be adopted as one of the means of controlling entrance and exit to areas of the building, the same system integrated with the energy system could determine whether a room was occupied or not or the number of people present in the building and accordingly switch lights on /off, control the air and temperature, determine the number of computers that should be activated in a computer lab and so forth.

Telecommunications Systems
  A sophisticated telecommunications in a large scale operation may not only benefit the company in reducing costs but if could, in turn, reduce costs to the company's clients and conserve energy at the same time.  For example, by switching from a paper-based method of communication to an electronic one such as email will greatly reduce the amount of paper used, thus reducing costs while at the same time helping the environment.  Videoconferencing reduces the need for travel whether it be across continents of a few kilometers away, travel costs are reduced and the use of gas is also reduced, a plus for the environment and energy conservation.

Workplace Automation
 As mentioned before, for the system in an intelligent building to be run as efficiently as possible, all the sub-systems need to be integrated to form one multipurpose system. Centralized data processing, Computer aided design and information services are factors that are should be taken into consideration.  Equipment-sharing is the goal primarily for its cost-reducing properties and the high level of efficiency that it offers.

Specification
 In order for the idea of such a building to be implemented, certain specifications need to be taken into consideration.  One firstly needs to look at the architectural aspects of the system.  Followed by this is the mechanical aspect, electrical, hydraulics and alternative power.

Architectural
 To optimize the workings of an intelligent building, the concept has to be implemented from the building's conception, the design phase.  Features that need to be taken into consideration are the glazing, infiltration, insulation and skylights.  The design of the building will dictate the level of efficiency possible.

Mechanical
 Issues to be wary of when considering the mechanical aspects of an intelligent building are as follows.  The outdoor air economy cycle, DDC control systems, high efficiency motors, variable speed drives, pipe work and duct work, insulation, demand controlled ventilation, air to air heat recovery and condensing boilers.  These issues are vital to the success of implementing the ideal of minimizing energy consumption.

Electrical
 If efficient mechanical specifications are installed as mentioned above, it would be a shame to not maximize their purpose of efficiency and so the electrical specifications are obliged to imitate the goal of efficiency.  This is done by using high efficiency lighting, out of hours lighting control, and lighting control systems.

Hydraulics
 In the spirit of the intelligent building and minimizing costs and the consumption of non-renewable energy sources, solar water heating, and pressure reducing valves and flow restrictors would be a strong aid.

Alternative Power
 Finally, although all the specifications mentioned above are aimed at reducing the consumption of non-renewable energy sources, they do not eliminate the use of energy and so a source of alternate power would be the ultimate.  A grid connected photovoltaic system would optimize the intelligent building.

Cost-Benefit Analysis
 When analyzing whether it is worthwhile to invest in a new technology one needs to weigh out both the cost and benefit of the investment.  With a goal of profit making, it is only worthwhile if the benefits outweigh the costs.  However if the angle on takes is purely from a environmentalists point of view, one might not place as much weight on the cost and focus mainly on the benefit of adopting the new technology.  This can be applied to the case of intelligent buildings.  If the building is already in existence, the cost of transforming it from is present position to that of a technologically advanced, energy-efficient building may require a major investment.  One needs to calculate whether the cost of the energy saved is more than the cost of placing in the system.  However, if the building is in its design phase, the system can be integrated from the beginning and although this does not eliminate the cost, it definitely reduces it.  An environmentalist may argue that the system should be implemented in the light of energy conservation and environmental protection regardless of the capital cost.
 

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