Energy Efficiency in Smart Buildings Through IoT Sensor Integration
Saifur Rahman, Ali Parizad · 2025
Internet of Things (IoT) deployments offer a much higher value proposition if these can function in the context of smart buildings. Such advanced information and communication technology (ICT) applications in commercial buildings, schools, libraries, shopping centers, etc., offer low cost but highly effective monitoring and control opportunities. Sensors deployed in critical locations can monitor the building environment in real time, collect information for intelligent decision-making, and facilitate various services. An IoT sensor platform, namely, Building Energy Management Open-Source Software (BEMOSS™), has been developed to provide a unified communication platform that integrates information from disparate sources and provides one control hierarchy. It is a powerful, low-cost, open-source software platform that can monitor and control major electrical loads (e.g., heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and plug loads), as well as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, energy storage units, and other IoT sensors in commercial buildings. The platform can provide new or legacy buildings with a building automation system (BAS) or connect with existing BASs in large and small commercial buildings. This platform leverages machine learning (ML) algorithms to draw insights from a deployed building's historical operating data and occupant preferences to save energy (kWh) while increasing occupant comfort. This also allows buildings to reduce peak demand (kW) through direct communication with utilities using demand response (DR) protocols such as Open Automated DR (openADR).