S09 TRME 2 2021 Intelligent Building_Layout 1 23/03/2021 13:56 Page 32
Intelligent Buildings Photo Credit : Adobe Stock
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Intelligent buildings require an intelligent process indicating the importance of collaborative process in design, implementation, and management.
How to reduce energy consumption What sort of power demands should we expect from intelligent buildings – now and in the future? It’s a question that will matter more and more as smarter systems become the norm. Dinesh OP, technical manager for Africa at IT infrastructure solutions company Siemon, tells Phil Desmond why.
“The more intelligent a building becomes, the greater the opportunity to achieve power savings.”
CCORDING TO THE International Energy Agency (IEA), the buildings sector accounts for 30% of total final energy use globally, more than 50% of global electricity consumption and 25% of energyrelated CO2 emissions. Can this consumption be reduced? Dinesh OP, technical manager for Africa at IT infrastructure solutions company Siemon, says, “One of the most effective ways of reducing energy consumption in buildings is through the implementation of integrated systems that allow a complete understanding of a building’s energy usage. Intelligent buildings monitor and control energy use and are therefore able to significantly lower energy consumption.” This is where remote power comes in. The term remote power or remote powering
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refers to how power is being supplied to lowvoltage building systems and devices including surveillance cameras, wireless access points, lighting and so on. Traditionally, AC power runs (separate power cables and outlets) would supply the power required. However, many building systems and devices have become IP enabled, meaning that they can connect to the IT infrastructure built on structured cabling and that they can receive power over the standard twistedpair copper cabling infrastructure. The electrical infrastructure is no longer needed – with power cables and power outlets becoming obsolete. OP explains, “This leads to tremendous savings on material and labour (notably installation work). The benefits that remote powering delivers includes faster
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