FRIDAY15: Smart Buildings with Karpinski Engineering
From pipes to pipe dreams, Brian Tenney of Karpinski Engineering deftly navigates the shifting terrain of smart buildings.
Jun 11, 2024
Friday 15: Smart Buildings with Karpinski Engineering
Hello everyone! Welcome back to Friday 15. Today, we have an exciting episode featuring Brian Tenny, the Director of Commissioning at Karpinski Engineering. Brian has a wealth of knowledge and a practical, sensible attitude towards smart buildings. We're thrilled to have him here to share his insights with us.
What Constitutes a Smart Building?
To kick things off, let's dive right into the core of smart buildings. Imagine a building as a network of pipes—gas pipes, water pipes, electrical systems. These elements aren't inherently "smart." The idea of making these systems intelligent can sometimes feel like a pipe dream. But is there a limit to how smart a building can be?
According to Brian, smartness in buildings can be categorized into three levels.
Entry-Level Smart
At this level, systems like HVAC and lighting have basic controls.
These controls don't necessarily need to be interconnected but are inherently smart in their operations.
Mid-Level Smart
Here, systems begin to communicate with each other.
For example, occupancy sensors can tie into the HVAC system to reduce ventilation rates. This level focuses on energy efficiency and operational integration.
Advanced Smart
This is where all systems communicate and interact through a centralized dashboard.
It includes access control, security systems, and IT infrastructure working in harmony.
Automation and data analytics play a significant role, providing real-time feedback and facilitating ESG reporting.
Practical Examples of Smart Building Implementations
While the technology behind smart buildings is fascinating, the key is to align these innovations with practical goals. The SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely—comes into play here.
Case Study: College Campus Gas Meter Integration
A practical example shared by Brian is the project with a college campus. The college aimed to venture into smart buildings by starting small. They integrated their gas meters into a monitoring system to track gas usage. This small step revealed a significant issue—a gas leak from the utility company. Over ten years, this leak would have cost over $50,000.
"Data is powerful. Even a little bit of it can lead to significant savings."
The Importance of Real-Time Data
Having real-time data is crucial in managing energy usage efficiently. Just like driving a car with constant feedback from the speedometer, buildings too need constant data monitoring. Without it, by the time a high energy bill arrives, it's too late to take corrective action.
Brian used the analogy of a car to describe the relationship everybody should have with data. Just like the speedometer of a car isn't viewed as complex data, so too, building data can be just as accessible.
"Imagine if you had a feedback loop in your building, just like when driving a car. It would revolutionize how you manage energy."
Battle of the Buildings!
Another engaging initiative that Brian recounted is "Battle of the Buildings," where students and staff on a school campus competed to save energy. By educating students, involving them in energy-saving activities and sharing real-time data reporting, schools can significantly reduce their energy consumption.
Implementation: Resources and Recommendations
One of the key messages from Brian is the importance of planning. It's essential to ensure that the smart technologies being implemented are actually useful and practical for the organization.
Match Smartness to Needs
Make sure the smart features are really going to be used.
Avoid overloading the system with unnecessary technologies.
"Make your goals match your needs, and you’re good to go."
Engage the Right People
Include a diverse set of voices in the planning process, from the receptionist to the IT department.
The people closest to the work often have the most valuable insights.
Useful Resources
Karpinski Engineering has a plethora of resources on their website about smart buildings.
Conclusion
Smart buildings are not just a futuristic concept but a practical reality that can lead to significant operational efficiencies and cost savings. By setting realistic goals, involving the right people, and leveraging real-time data, organizations can transform their buildings into smart, efficient ecosystems.
That's it for today! We hope you found this episode on smart buildings enlightening and practical. Have a great weekend, and see you next time on Friday 15!
Note: This blog post is a detailed recap of the Friday 15 episode featuring Brian Tenny from Karpinski Engineering, discussing the practical aspects and benefits of smart buildings.
