Tem Project

As an HVAC major, I wanted to choose a project that focuses on this aspect of intelligent buildings. Reading about the Nest thermostat in the building of the term intrigued me to research the capabilities of thermostats. It might seem like a primitive control system but it is the first integration of an “intelligent” system into a building.

After my project partner, David Morrison, and I spoke and brainstormed with my friend from Drexel Smart House, Michael Magee, we finalized the scope of the project as the exploration of the capabilities of integrated thermostats. For this project, we will use an Arduino microprocessor to collect temperature and humidity data from different spaces. Sensors will be placed in each of the four corners of the rooms we will use for this study and temperature and humidity differences will be measured. The data will also be compared in the static thermostat controlling each of the spaces measured. This data will be analyzed to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the thermostat. Location of thermostat, location of diffuser, size of space, and type of air conditioning system in the space will be taken into account.

After the data will be analyzed thoroughly, we will draw conclusions regarding the implications of the study in relation to intelligent buildings. Some implications include actually including multiple thermostats in each space to create an integral system, providing automated diffusers that spread air more evenly, adding automated fans to mix the air better thermally, etc. The project will draw conclusions to help provide a more even thermal comfort throughout spaces and give suggestions as to how to integrate it into intelligent buildings.

Having an old-fashioned frame of mind, the use of all of these sensors terrifies me.  John mentions that by 2040, 75% of cars will be self-driving.  That is right around the time that my children will be learning how to drive.  It’s not that I don’t trust technology to do it’s job, I’m just concerned about the life of the sensors and other technology behind these self driving cars.  A good majority of people that I know has had issues with the wiring, or the electronics in their car.  Luckily, the issues have been minor like not being able to put down the window.  But the more sensors and wiring that manufacturers put into vehicles the more probabilistic that something will go wrong with a major function.  If those sensors would fail on the road, what kind of repercussions will take place?  Don’t get me wrong, the use of sensor and the technological advances have made our lives easier and more convenient but I think we need to be careful to what point we take human interaction with the machine. 

Moving past my concern about the sensors, I find the use of sensors to create a more efficient building fascinating.  Elaborating more on what Elda posted, NASA designed what they call an Ultra Green Building.  Using 5000 sensors on their 50,000 sqft building they were able to produce a net positive energy building, meaning that it creates more electricity than needed and puts energy back into the grid.  The sensors are wireless making them easy to manage and place, they measure carbon dioxide levels, temperature, lighting, and air flow.  The use of the sensors lets the building use 90% less potable water than an average building its size.

Steven Zornetzer, the associate center director at NASA Ames Research Center, stated that “[this building] will prove to be one of the highest performing federal buildings ever.” 

The construction of this building is comparable to others its size.  Even with the sophistication of the construction it only cost 6% more than an average build.  It is estimated that the extra expense will be made up within the first 10 years of energy and maintenance costs.  This fact proves that designing a green building doesn’t have to mean that it is too expensive.  The construction world has definitely been raising its standards through the years with the implementation of LEED.  However, I don’t believe LEED will be effective until it is common sense that we should build that way. 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2012/01/10/nasas-new-sensor-driven-ultra-green-building/

Common Topic Labels for the Course

Below are topics that we'll address in the course.  This post also creates those topics as Labels for use when you're putting in your own blog posts.

TOPIC

AI

BIM

Building

Civil

Computer

Database

Design

Electrical

Environmental

Future

Hardware

HVAC

Manufacturing

Robotics

Sensor

Software

Structures

System

Term Project