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Thursday, September 17, 2021

.RESEARCH

Smart buildings more popular in education than before pandemic
Campus Technology
In a recent global survey, two-thirds of school and college facilities managers (65 percent) were more likely to invest in smart building solutions now than they were pre-pandemic. However, no single smart building investment dominated. The top choice, among 38 percent of respondents, would be an app showing real-time building “health” information. That was followed by software providing better insight into fire systems (cited by 35 percent), and cybersecurity products and contactless building entry, both mentioned by 33 percent of survey participants.
(IS-2021-185) NLPIP Lighting Answers UV Disinfection Products
CABA
This report by the Lighting Research Center from December 2020 was published by Lighting Answers. Guidance on use of ultraviolet (UV) light for disinfection of surfaces and air in buildings is provided; the authors report on the results of a recent survey and testing that were undertaken to look at issues of effectiveness, safety and energy expenditure. (CABA members may login to access this members-only content. Non-members please go to caba.org/caba-members-library/ for a preview of library content and to join.).
(IS-2021-158) Determining Utility System Value of Demand Flexibility from Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings
CABA
This February 2021 report by the Brattle Group was prepared for the WATT (Working for Advanced Transmission Technologies) Coalition. The analysis discusses how Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) can resolve the transmission issue hindering the deployment of renewable generation and the analysis focuses on three GETs, in particular: Advanced Power Flow Control, Dynamic Line Ratings, and Topology Optimization. (CABA members may login to access this members-only content. Non-members please go to caba.org/caba-members-library/ for a preview of library content and to join.)..
Demand-Side Solutions to Winter Peaks and Constraints
ACEEE
This report the authors show how demand-side energy efficiency and demand response measures can mitigate winter peaks and other cold weather constraints. The current and future states of winter peaks geographically and temporally are summarized. The report goes on to identify more than 20 utility demand-side management (DSM) programs that can serve as models for effectively mitigating peak winter demand. 

.CONNECTED HOMES

Modern Trends in Building Automation May Benefit Resimercial Integrators
CE Pro
As smart building owners are faced with an uptick in work-from-home scenarios, they may look to integrators to help maximize this newfound space in offices and meeting areas.
Enhancing Smart Home Technology Capabilities for the Hearing Impaired
Residential Tech Today
Hearing impaired homeowners have unique needs that a smart home integrator needs to understand to create a smart home that is optimized for their unique needs. Leveraging technology that translates audible notifications into visual and tactile ones is critical to provide a safe and convenient living situation. Different people will have different levels of impairment and that needs to be taken into account to properly design a smart home for them.
Home energy management pilot launches in Milan
Smart Energy International
The project is focused on demonstrating the potential for connected home appliances to provide flexibility to the grid. The initiative, one of seven national demonstrators in the Horizon 2020 supported InterConnect project, is recruiting up to 130 participants, who in the first phase will be supplied with state-of-the-art washing machines from Whirlpool..
Home Depot wants to be the control hub for all your smart devices
PYMNTS
The big-box home improvement retailer says its newly launched “Hubspace” app makes it easy to integrate the smart home products with the Google Home or Amazon Alexa platforms which enable voice commands for hands-free product control. Users can then control the smart home devices by talking straight to one of those digital assistants or by giving commands through the Hubspace app itself.
The best smart lock 2021: Business and home use
ZDNet
No longer do customers have to worry about who has the keys to their home or business. With the best smart locks for business and home use, you can go digital for better accessibility and even greater convenience. A smart door lock can work alone or integrate with your smart home security system to ensure that the keys to your castle are always in the right hands.
Telcos in the smart home: Unmet opportunities within the smart home ecosystem
The Fast Mode
In 2020, telcos successfully capitalized on the smartphone usage boom by improving network and system resilience. Despite the achievement of telcos during the pandemic, they still face a major challenge as they are too comfortable in their traditional business models of providing basic connectivity services; they are missing opportunities by not moving further down the revenue chain. Telcos will need to branch out into other areas of revenue — namely, the smart-home if they want to be competitive with larger technology companies.
Eve Door and Window review: This smart, Thread-enabled door and window sensor is only for HomeKit users
TechHive
Eve Systems has been adding more and more Thread-enabled smart gadgets to its portfolio, including the Eve Aqua sprinkler controller (which we’ve previously reviewed) and the Eve Energy smart plug (ditto). Now comes Eve Door & Window, a HomeKit- and Thread-capable contact sensor, and it’s as easy to set up and use as Eve’s Aqua and Energy products. With able assistance from the Eve app, Eve Door & Window supports powerful automations and lets you take a deep dive into when, and how often, your doors and windows have been opened and closed.

INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS

Online, In Person & OnSite: BUILDEX Ampified, Sept. 27-29
Informa
l2021 continues to be a year of adaptation and growth. To continue to connect and support the industry, BUILDEX Vancouver and BUILDEX Alberta will host In Person micro events in British Columbia and Alberta and online educational programming from September 27 – 29. Join industry leaders who are evolving traditions and accelerating innovation. Presented by Informa, a CABA member.
Turntide Technologies launches new intelligent building solution for sustainable operations
GlobeNewswire
Turntide Technologies, developer of electrification and sustainable operations technologies, recently announced the roll-out of its new Turntide for Buildings, a full-stack intelligent building solution. Turntide combines its Smart Motor SystemTM with automation software, connected edge equipment, and cloud insights to improve energy efficiency and streamline building operations while reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Thermostat Connection Using BACnet/IP Over a Wi-Fi Connection
AutomatedBuildings.com
Contemporary Controls’ BASstat wireless communicating thermostats ensure effortless integration into BACnet/IP networks, but the performance of the Wi-Fi router/access point determines how many Wi-Fi clients, such as the BASstat Wi-Fi thermostat, can connect to it at a time. System Integrators should measure Wi-Fi signal strength to fully leverage the BASstat capabilities. AutomatedBuildings.com is a CABA member, as is Contemporary Controls.
Essent launches smart energy as a service
Smart Energy International
Dutch energy company Essent has launched Energy Infrastructure Solutions to deliver smart energy solutions for customers. The new offering combines heating, cooling, electricity, hydrogen, energy efficiency, storage and mobility to provide a tailor-made system for smart cities and neighbourhoods as well as industry and customers such as business parks.
Cybersecurity myth: We are disconnected
Automation World
Many consider their manufacturing systems or industrial control systems “disconnected” and safe. However, there are a number of factors working against that assumption to threaten systems.
How to go from crisis management to asset management 
FacilitiesNet
Facility managers are responsible for the operation and well-being of a wide range of physical assets within their facilities. Some of these assets may be brand new or relatively new. Others may be years or even decades old. Some will have long-rated service lives, others will have relatively short ones. Practically all will have at least some maintenance requirements.
Smart grid in power: Technology trends
Facility Executive
Smart grid system enables new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to be deployed and function together with other elements of the power system. The technology helps in responding to constantly changing electricity demand patterns, while improving energy utilization and reliability of the power system.
Density and The Building People partner to provide robust solutions to building automation and modernization
Facility Executive
Density Inc., the leader in business solutions for the built environment, and The Building People, a recognized leader in smart building solutions that support the built environment, recently announced they have entered a strategic partnership. The companies’ combined expertise and capabilities will accelerate the deployment of smarter solutions to manage, connect, and automate buildings.

.CABA

Residential-Sector Research for 2021: The Connected Home and AI
CABA plans to launch its “Connected Home and AI” research project later in 2021. Its purpose is to examine various aspects of artificial intelligence in the connected home industry. The research will also develop recommendations for stakeholders on how they can best position themselves in this evolving connected home landscape. The funders to date, all CABA member, include Carrier/Automated Logic, Snap One, and Resideo Technologies, Inc. Contact Greg Walker ([email protected]) for information on becoming a funder.