Smart commercial buildings: Top 10 technologies to watch

In recent years, rapid advances in digital technology have had a significant impact on every industry, and commercial real estate is no exception. There has been a clear shift in the way buildings are designed, constructed, managed and used. The concept of “smart buildings” is at the forefront of this evolution.

In the context of commercial real estate, a smart building is one that uses interconnected technologies, systems, and processes to automatically control and manage building operations. This includes heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security, and other systems. The goal is to create an environment that is not only comfortable and safe for occupants, but also efficient and sustainable.

Looking ahead to the next few years, the trend towards smart buildings will grow even further. Advanced technologies are bringing new possibilities and efficiencies that are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in commercial real estate. Let’s explore the key technologies that will define the smart building landscape in the near future.

1. Building Management System (BMS)

Building Management Systems (BMS) act as the central nervous system of a smart building, coordinating the various technical systems and services within the building. These networks of microprocessor-based intelligent controllers are used to monitor and control key systems such as air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, and hydraulics. By connecting the functions of individual building equipment, BMS systems ensure that they operate as a complete, integrated system.

As technology has advanced, BMS systems have grown more sophisticated and now play a vital role in every major building or facility. They can be directly integrated with other building services such as security, access control, CCTV, fire, elevators, and other life and safety systems. This allows for a more holistic and comprehensive approach to building management.

Modern BMS systems are based on open communication protocols, such as BACnet, and are network-enabled, allowing integration with systems from multiple vendors and remote access from anywhere in the world. This flexibility and connectivity make BMS systems essential for optimizing building operations, ensuring energy efficiency, and creating a comfortable environment for occupants.

2. Energy Management System (EMS)

Energy management systems (EMS) take the concept of energy efficiency a step further. These systems monitor energy consumption across all of a building’s systems and analyze that data to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. EMS can provide building managers with detailed reports and real-time alerts, simplifying the management of energy usage and helping to reduce operating costs.

3. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) is an essential component of modern smart buildings. IoT devices such as sensors, actuators, and smart meters collect and communicate valuable data on everything from temperature and humidity to occupancy and energy usage. This data can be used to automate and optimize various building functions, thereby improving comfort and efficiency.

4. Building Analysis

Building analytics acts as the brain of a smart building, making sense of the vast amounts of data generated by various systems within the building. It is closely connected with other technologies such as BMS, EMS and IoT devices, playing a vital role in optimizing building operations.

Building analytics harnesses the power of thousands of data points collected from different systems within a building, including parameters such as temperature, humidity, energy consumption, and occupancy. Using advanced tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, it drills down into this data to uncover inefficiencies, predict potential problems, and suggest actionable strategies to improve performance.

5. Smart lighting

Smart lighting systems use sensors and automated controls to adjust lighting levels based on a variety of factors, including occupancy and levels of natural light. This can result in significant energy savings while improving the occupant experience and maintaining safety.

6. HVAC Optimization

Advanced HVAC systems do more than just control temperature. They also monitor and regulate humidity and air quality to create a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. These systems can adapt to changing conditions in real time, reduce energy consumption, and extend the life of your HVAC equipment.

7. Renewable energy and energy storage

As sustainable buildings continue to develop, renewable energy and energy storage systems are becoming increasingly important. These systems can store excess energy generated by renewable energy for use during peak demand periods, thereby reducing dependence on the grid and reducing energy costs.

8. Intelligent water management system

In sustainable buildings, saving water is just as important as saving energy. Smart water management systems can monitor water usage, detect leaks in real time, and even optimize irrigation systems, resulting in significant water and cost savings while enhancing the sustainability of your building.

9. Access control and security systems

Security is a top priority for any commercial building. Advanced security systems can use technologies such as biometrics and smart cards to manage access and protect against threats. These systems can also integrate with other building systems to provide a more comprehensive approach to building security.

10. 5G connectivity

Further development of 5G networks by local telecommunications service providers will significantly enhance IoT capabilities in smart buildings. Increased 5G speed and reliability will facilitate more efficient real-time data transmission, enabling instant control of building systems. This will increase the effectiveness of building analytics and enable IoT devices to respond more quickly and accurately to changing conditions.

Summarize

The growth of commercial real estate relies on the continued digitization and improvement of building operations. With the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies, the smart commercial building sector is set to undergo a significant transformation.

These advances go beyond creating workplaces or business centers to create adaptive environments that increase comfort, enhance productivity, and support sustainability. As these technologies develop and mature, smart buildings will continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, delivering huge benefits to building owners, operators, and occupants. The future of commercial real estate is not only smart, it’s brilliant.