PresenceSense: Zero-training Algorithm for Individual Presence Detection based on Power Monitoring

Non-intrusive presence detection of individuals in commercial buildings is much easier to implement than intrusive methods such as passive infrared, acoustic sensors, and camera. Individual power consumption, while providing useful feedback and motivation for energy saving, can be used as a valuable source for presence detection. We conduct pilot experiments in an office setting to collect individual presence data by ultrasonic sensors, acceleration sensors, and WiFi access points, in addition to the individual power monitoring data. PresenceSense (PS), a semi-supervised learning algorithm based on power measurement that trains itself with only unlabeled data, is proposed, analyzed and evaluated in the study. Without any labeling efforts, which are usually tedious and time consuming, PresenceSense outperforms popular models whose parameters are optimized over a large training set. The results are interpreted and potential applications of PresenceSense on other data sources are discussed. The significance of this study attaches to space security, occupancy behavior modeling, and energy saving of plug loads.Comment: BuildSys 201

High-Performance Integrated Window and Façade Solutions for California

The researchers developed a new generation of high-performance façade systems and supporting design and management tools to support industry in meeting California’s greenhouse gas reduction targets, reduce energy consumption, and enable an adaptable response to minimize real-time demands on the electricity grid. The project resulted in five outcomes: (1) The research team developed an R-5, 1-inch thick, triplepane, insulating glass unit with a novel low-conductance aluminum frame. This technology can help significantly reduce residential cooling and heating loads, particularly during the evening. (2) The team developed a prototype of a windowintegrated local ventilation and energy recovery device that provides clean, dry fresh air through the façade with minimal energy requirements. (3) A daylight-redirecting louver system was prototyped to redirect sunlight 15–40 feet from the window. Simulations estimated that lighting energy use could be reduced by 35–54 percent without glare. (4) A control system incorporating physics-based equations and a mathematical solver was prototyped and field tested to demonstrate feasibility. Simulations estimated that total electricity costs could be reduced by 9-28 percent on sunny summer days through adaptive control of operable shading and daylighting components and the thermostat compared to state-of-the-art automatic façade controls in commercial building perimeter zones. (5) Supporting models and tools needed by industry for technology R&D and market transformation activities were validated. Attaining California’s clean energy goals require making a fundamental shift from today’s ad-hoc assemblages of static components to turnkey, intelligent, responsive, integrated building façade systems. These systems offered significant reductions in energy use, peak demand, and operating cost in California

Deep and transfer learning for building occupancy detection: A review and comparative analysis

The building internet of things (BIoT) is quite a promising concept for curtailing energy consumption, reducing costs, and promoting building transformation. Besides, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the BIoT is essential for data analysis and intelligent decision-making. Thus, data-driven approaches to infer occupancy patterns usage are gaining growing interest in BIoT applications. Typically, analyzing big occupancy data gathered by BIoT networks helps significantly identify the causes of wasted energy and recommend corrective actions. Within this context, building occupancy data aids in the improvement of the efficacy of energy management systems, allowing the reduction of energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort. Occupancy data might be collected using a variety of devices. Among those devices are optical/thermal cameras, smart meters, environmental sensors such as carbon dioxide (CO2), and passive infrared (PIR). Even though the latter methods are less precise, they have generated considerable attention owing to their inexpensive cost and low invasive nature. This article provides an in-depth survey of the strategies used to analyze sensor data and determine occupancy. The article's primary emphasis is on reviewing deep learning (DL), and transfer learning (TL) approaches for occupancy detection. This work investigates occupancy detection methods to develop an efficient system for processing sensor data while providing accurate occupancy information. Moreover, the paper conducted a comparative study of the readily available algorithms for occupancy detection to determine the optimal method in regards to training time and testing accuracy. The main concerns affecting the current occupancy detection system in terms of privacy and precision were thoroughly discussed. For occupancy detection, several directions were provided to avoid or reduce privacy problems by employing forthcoming technologies such as edge devices, Federated learning, and Blockchain-based IoT. 2022 The AuthorsThis paper was made possible by the Graduate Assistant-ship (GA) program provided from Qatar University (QU). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

The architecture for testing central heating control algorithms with feedback from wireless temperature sensors

The energy consumption of buildings is a significant contributor to overall energy con- sumption in developed countries. Therefore, there is great demand for intelligent buildings in which energy consumption is optimized. Online control is a crucial aspect of such optimization. The imple- mentation of modern algorithms that take advantage of developments in information technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensors, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is used in this context. In this paper, an architecture for testing central heating control algorithms as well as the control algorithms of the heating system of the building is presented. In particular, evaluation metrics, the method for seamless integration, and the mechanism for real-time performance monitoring and control are put forward. The proposed tools have been successfully tested in a residential building, and the conducted tests confirmed the efficiency of the proposed solution

Cognitive Buildings

Cognitive building is a pioneering topic envisioning the future of our built environment. The concept of "cognitive" provides a paradigm shift that steps from the static concept of the building as a container of human activities towards the modernist vision of "machine à habiter" of Le Corbusier, where the technological content adds the capability of learning from users' behavior and environmental variables to adapt itself to achieve major goals such as user comfort, energy-saving, flexible functionality, high durability, and good maintainability. The concept is based on digital frameworks and IoT networks towards the concept of a smart city

Sensing within smart buildings: A survey

Increasingly, buildings are being fitted with sensors for the needs of different sectors, such as education, industry and business. Using Internet of Things (IoT) devices combined with analysis of data being generated by these devices, it is possible to infer a number of metrics, e.g. building occupancy and activities of occupants. The information thus gathered can be used to develop software applications to support energy management, occupant comfort, and space utilization. This survey explores the use of sensors in smart building environments, identifying different approaches to employ sensors in buildings. The most commonly used data-driven approaches for activity recognition in such buildings is also investigated, concluding by highlighting current research challenges and future research directions in this area