The current buzzword in the automation industry is the Internet of things or the IoT, and Industrial Internet of things is a subset that comes under it. It is quite a rage amongst the people of the building automation companies that want to add a high-margin software component into their businesses.
Don’t take this term lightly, as many factories are now using a large number of connected sensors and linking them to powerful computers and thus can be used as the backbone of the upcoming “smart” factories. Once connected to the internet (online), then the said software can be used to optimise anything.
Significance of IIOT on building management system
When you compare it with other industries, they are just starting now being introduced by the IIoT, whereas the building management got a head start.
When you embed web connectivity within the building equipment, that is not new. However, what new is, how the IoT ecosystem will help reduce the cost to connect to more devices and different sensors, especially over wireless communication protocols (e.g., WiFi, ZigBee). Other things it might help with are-
Asset Optimisation
This is the first level of analysis and interaction, and it is where data is gathered from a sensor, maybe a wind turbine sensor or the vibration signature or a motor encoder. This data is processed locally in order to help the operators and get a good understanding of how to adjust parameters for the highest efficiency or be on a lookout for any potential failure. This will also help streamline building automation.
Process Optimisation
The next step is to analyse whatever goes down at the control room. In this, the sensor data from various end services and multiple assembly lines are aggregated in order to make more intelligent decisions that would later have a positive impact on the factory efficiency and numerous processes.
For instance, if you have an even more accurate sensor data, a control room has the capability of making smarter decisions about when end services should be asleep or idle. One advantage is that it has better hardware usage and a reduced power profile.
Business Optimisation
A common thing that stays constant throughout the discussion is that we need more data and smart data usage. Most of us are familiar with how data can have a positive impact on asset usage and process operations. However, with the help of IIoT, it promises to bring process data with the enterprise data which will thereon enable smarter and more efficient management decision that, so far, have not been made.
System Requirements for IIoT
There are two primary key system trends that are driven by the IIoT for the betterment of sensors, and the growth in distributed computing.
- Pervasive sensing – It is the cost of sensors and their interfaces that continues to decline, which enables manufacturers to track more variables and kinds of data.
- Distributed control – It is the moving process controllers (PLCs) that are closer to the machines and further eliminates bottlenecks and improves manufacturing throughput and flexibility.
Thus, it is safe to say that IIoT plays a significant role in building automation and smart building. Moreover, it also helps in distribution management system as it helps in the utilisation of electrical energy which has increased exponentially, helps in customer requirement and quality definitions of power were changed.
