Session: 02-03 Building Management and Control

Paper Number: 110785

110785 - Advances in Iot-Integrated Building Management Systems 

The criteria for a health-focused building design extends well beyond the conventional codes and standards for building designs and constructions, where the occupant's comfort, health, and well-being are integral elements of such requirements. Healthy-Building is an emerging concept that is being slowly realized by the advancing sensors technologies and the rapid expansion use and integration of the Internet of Things (IoT). This concept focuses on the health and well-being of the occupants who spend anywhere between 80-90% of their day in indoor environments, such as homes, workplaces, schools, malls, and the like. Indoor air quality research and development efforts are much more critical today, as contamination from sick-building syndrome and viruses like COVID-19 are commonly spread by the circulating indoor air.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way buildings are connected and managed. Recent development in IoT technologies is leading to the development of smart building concepts that can be managed through a single device or platform. These buildings are equipped with various sensors that can monitor the operational integrity of the building including the energy consumption and the indoor environment, such as indoor temperature, relative humidity, HVAC, and indoor air quality. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithm integration have made it possible to manage and control many of the above aspects based on the prespecified conditions or occupants’ requirements and preferences. The widespread adoption of IoT in buildings will increase energy efficiency, improve the health and safety of the building, and enhance the comfort and well-being of the occupants.

In this talk, I will highlight the challenges researchers are facing when trying to evaluate and assess the impact of different pollutants on indoor air quality due to the dynamic and multivariate nature of most indoor environments. The size, location, and number of occupants and the types of indoor activities, air conditioning system, furniture, building materials, windows, and how well-insulated the building is (infiltrations of the outdoor air) are all factors that must be considered when managing an indoor environment. I will also introduce our innovative, healthy home decision-support platform (an integrated smart and healthy home solution) that monitors and manages the home's thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Additionally, I will showcase our patented heat index thermostat proof of concept (PoC), the platform proposed for the IoT-integrated home management controller.

Presenting Author: Monem Beitelmal Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute - Environment and Sustainability Center

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Beitelmal is a Principal Scientist leading research efforts on energy efficiency, indoor environment management systems, and operational sustainability at the Qatar Environment and Research Institute (QEERI). He previously served as an associate professor of mechanical engineering with the Mechanical Engineering Department at Santa Clara University (2009-2013). Before joining SCU, Dr. Beitelmal spent eight years as a Research Scientist at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories in Palo Alto California. His research work at HP Labs covered various areas in energy, thermal management, and sustainability from smart thermal control in handheld devices and systems to data centers. He currently holds 60 US-granted patents. Dr. Beitelmal is actively involved in developing and implementing energy-efficiency strategies and indoor air quality management programs for buildings. His work focuses on reducing the building operations' environmental impact while improving the comfort and well-being of occupants. He is a senior member of the US National Academy of Inventors and an Associate Editor with the ASME Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities.