Engineering news
Projects like The Edge in Amsterdam – known as the “smartest building in the world” thanks to its huge network of sensors and adaptable conditions for workers – can transform work and energy efficiency, said a panel of its users and developers at the IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona.
The building, designed by British firm PLP Architecture, has 28,000 sensors – including workers’ mobile phones – monitoring every aspect of its use from temperature, to room usage to how people like their coffee. Highly efficient LEDs light rooms, and a huge array of solar panels means the building generates more energy than it uses. A vast network links everything together, with a mobile app providing access for employees.
Workers have no permanent desks and rooms are only opened, or cleaned, if needed. The system means consulting firm Deloitte, the main occupant, doubled the number of workers it could potentially house in the space.
“The real challenge is we have these super-exemplary buildings like The Edge in the world, and we want every building to be like that,” said Barry Coflan from Schneider Electric, which provided energy monitoring and control software for the building. “That is the dream, that is the vision.”
Microsoft’s Bert Van Hoof, who helped developed the IoT software used in The Edge, vocalised the main question on the minds of the assembled technology experts: “How do you scale this, go from single proof-of-concept to deploy that at scale?”
Despite the ability of smart buildings to ultimately cut costs and tackle harmful energy inefficiency, many hurdles remain. The biggest come from the construction sector, said Sander Schutte, CEO of smart building specialists Mapiq. “The building industry is extremely slow,” he said. “The buildings that are on the table now will be ready in three or four years.”
Lengthy procurement processes and the drive to find the lowest costs in each area are also barriers, he claimed. Others claimed a fractured supply chain makes it difficult for developers and clients to install the most up-to-date and future-ready kit, with disparate companies specialising in specific products such as lifts.
However, others highlighted positive signs in the industry. Company heads are realising the intrinsic importance of buildings to their workers and efficiency, said Coflan, an important step towards more smart buildings worldwide.
Our reporter Joseph Flaig is at Barcelona Industry Week, including the IoT Solutions World Congress. To contact him about stories, email joseph.flaig@caspianmedia.com.