Integrating Intelligent Building Technologies: A Means for Fostering Sustainability

Abstract

Intelligent Building technologies have a potential significant impact on sustainability issues (energy efficiency, due diligence, health and safety and indoor environment). It is widely recognized that intelligent building can improve the environmental and economic performance of buildings. Consequently, the promotion of intelligent buildings is regarded as means of fostering sustainability. Intelligent building technology encompasses sophisticated systems targeting various facets of building automation. Developing such an integration system of intelligent buildings technologies can significantly increase the energy efficiency of the building while also providing enhanced occupant comfort and cost effectiveness. Given the developments in information and communication technology and the increasing level of complexity of intelligent building systems, this paper introduces an integration system that facilitates improving the utilization of intelligent building technologies. The proposed system in this paper provides three indispensable sets of criteria by which successful integration of intelligent building technologies can be achieved. These measures are integration criteria for sub-system operation, best practices of sub-system business considerations, and interoperability criteria. Detailed and articulated measures for each set of these criteria are introduced. The paper explores the potential benefits of integrating intelligent building technologies as a useful means for fostering sustainability in buildings.