Smart buildings, also known as intelligent buildings or automated buildings, are structures that utilize advanced technologies and interconnected systems to enhance their efficiency, comfort, security, and sustainability. These buildings integrate various systems, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), security, and communication, to create a more streamlined and automated environment.
The key features of smart buildings include:

1. Automation and Connectivity: Smart buildings leverage internet-connected devices and sensors to monitor and control various systems within the building. These systems can communicate with each other, collect data, and make real-time adjustments for optimal performance.
2. Energy Efficiency: Smart buildings prioritize energy efficiency by using sensors and automated controls to regulate lighting, HVAC systems, and energy usage. They can adjust lighting levels and temperature settings based on occupancy, time of day, and environmental conditions to reduce energy waste.
3. Integrated Systems: Different building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, access control, and surveillance, are integrated into a unified management platform. This integration allows for centralized monitoring, control, and data analysis, leading to improved efficiency and effective decision-making.
4. Occupant Comfort and Experience: Smart buildings focus on enhancing occupant comfort and experience. They can provide personalized environmental settings based on individual preferences, adjust lighting and temperature levels dynamically, and offer smart features like automated blinds and voice-activated controls.
5. Security and Safety: Smart buildings incorporate advanced security systems, including access control, surveillance cameras, and alarm systems. These systems can be interconnected and monitored centrally, enabling proactive security measures, real-time threat detection, and immediate response to emergencies.
6. Data Analytics and Optimization: Smart buildings collect and analyze large amounts of data from various sensors and systems. This data can be used to identify patterns, detect anomalies, and optimize building performance, energy consumption, and maintenance schedules.
7. Sustainability: Smart buildings contribute to sustainable practices by reducing energy consumption, optimizing resource usage, and integrating renewable energy sources. They enable better monitoring and management of energy usage and facilitate the implementation of green technologies.

The overarching goal of smart buildings is to create a more efficient, comfortable, and sustainable environment for occupants while optimizing the operation and maintenance of the building itself. Through the integration of technologies and systems, smart buildings offer numerous benefits, including cost savings, improved productivity, enhanced safety, and reduced environmental impact.

A digital twin is a virtual representation or digital replica of a physical object, system, or process. It is a digital counterpart that mirrors the real-world entity in terms of its characteristics, behavior, and interactions. The concept of digital twins originated from the field of computer-aided design (CAD) and has evolved to encompass a broader range of applications, including various industries and sectors.

Digital twins are created by combining real-time data, sensors, and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity with advanced modeling and simulation techniques. They allow for the monitoring, analysis, and optimization of physical objects and systems in a virtual environment. By bridging the physical and digital realms, digital twins enable enhanced understanding, predictive capabilities, and decision-making.

Key aspects of digital twins include:

1. 1.Data Integration: Digital twins integrate data from multiple sources, such as sensors, IoT devices, and existing systems, to create a comprehensive representation. This data can include information about the object’s geometry, properties, performance, and operating conditions.
2. 2.Real-Time Monitoring: Digital twins continuously collect data from the physical counterpart, providing real-time insights into its behavior, status, and performance. This allows for proactive monitoring, detection of anomalies, and timely intervention to prevent failures or optimize performance.
3. 3.Simulation and Analysis: Digital twins employ simulation and analytical models to mimic the behavior and response of the physical entity. By running scenarios and what-if analyses, they can predict outcomes, evaluate different strategies, and optimize performance without impacting the physical system directly.
4. 4.Predictive and Prescriptive Capabilities: Digital twins leverage historical and real-time data to predict future behavior and performance. They can identify potential issues, anticipate maintenance needs, optimize resource allocation, and provide actionable recommendations for decision-making.
5. 5.Lifecycle Management: Digital twins span the entire lifecycle of an object or system, from design and development to operation and maintenance. They facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, enable data-driven design iterations, and support informed decision-making throughout the lifecycle stages.

Digital twins find applications in various domains, such as manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, energy, and urban planning. For example, in manufacturing, a digital twin can represent a production line, allowing for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimization of productivity. In healthcare, a digital twin of a patient can aid in personalized treatment planning and monitoring.

Overall, digital twins offer a powerful tool for understanding, analyzing, and optimizing complex systems by bridging the physical and digital worlds. They provide valuable insights, enable predictive capabilities, and support informed decision-making for improved efficiency, performance, and innovation.

Smart Building Operations and Technical Property and Facility Management are related concepts but differ in their focus and scope. Smart Building Operations refers to the use of advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to optimize the performance, efficiency, and occupant experience within a building or facility. It involves leveraging interconnected systems, automation, and analytics to monitor, control, and enhance various aspects of building operations. The key focus areas of smart building operations include Automation and Connectivity, Data-Driven Insights, Predictive Maintenance and Energy Efficiency and Sustainability.
Technical Property and Facility Management encompasses the overall management, maintenance, and operational aspects of a property or facility. It involves the coordination and oversight of various activities to ensure the smooth functioning of the built environment. Key elements of technical property and facility management include Maintenance and Repairs, Compliance and Regulations, Space Management, Vendor and Supplier Management and Health and Safety.
While smart building operations may be a component of technical property and facility management, the latter encompasses a broader set of responsibilities that focus on the overall management, maintenance, and compliance aspects of a property or facility. Smart building operations, on the other hand, specifically leverage technology and data-driven approaches to optimize building performance, energy efficiency, and occupant experience.

A building intelligence platform refers to a comprehensive software solution or technology framework that integrates various systems and data within a building or facility. It acts as a central hub for collecting, analyzing, and leveraging data from different sources to optimize building operations, enhance efficiency, and improve occupant experience.
A building intelligence platform typically integrates multiple subsystems and technologies, such as building automation systems (BAS), energy management systems (EMS), HVAC systems, lighting controls, security systems, and occupancy sensors. It enables these systems to communicate and share data, facilitating centralized monitoring, control, and analysis.
At TPEX is integrates digital Twin and navigator, having the ultimate goal of our building intelligence platform as to enable data-driven decision-making, improve energy efficiency, optimize building performance, and enhance occupant comfort and satisfaction. By centralizing data and providing advanced analytics, it empowers facility managers to make informed choices, optimize operations, and drive continuous improvement within the built environment.

Converged building infrastructures, also known as integrated building systems or smart building infrastructures, refer to the integration of various technologies and systems within a building to create a unified and efficient network. These infrastructures leverage advanced technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, sensors, data analytics, and automation, to optimize the operation and management of the building.
The key components are Building Automation Systems (BAS) which controls and monitor various building systems such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), lighting, security, and energy management.
Internet of Things (IoT) Devices such as sensors and actuators, are deployed throughout the building to collect data on occupancy, temperature, humidity, air quality, and other parameters.
Security and Access Control Systems, Converged infrastructures often incorporate robust security systems, including video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection

Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be measured using various methods and parameters. Here are some commonly used techniques for assessing IAQ:
Particulate Matter (PM) Monitoring: Particulate matter refers to microscopic particles suspended in the air, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens. PM monitoring involves measuring the concentration and size distribution of these particles. Instruments like laser particle counters or optical particle counters are used to provide real-time data on PM levels.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring: CO2 is an indicator of indoor air ventilation and occupant-generated pollution. Elevated CO2 levels can indicate inadequate ventilation, which may lead to poor IAQ. CO2 monitors or sensors can measure CO2 concentrations in the air and provide an indication of ventilation effectiveness.
Sensory Assessments: Although subjective, human perception and sensory assessments can provide valuable insights into IAQ. Occupant surveys or direct observations can be conducted to gather feedback on odor, comfort, and symptoms related to IAQ issues.
It’s important to note that IAQ measurement techniques may vary depending on the specific requirements and goals of the assessment. Professional indoor air quality assessments are often conducted by TPEX experts who employ a combination of these methods to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the air quality in a building.

In order turn buildings into High Performance Buildings, we make buildings smart in collaboration with the best digitalization partners. Our own Smart Building Score lays the foundation for the Smart Building Strategy (IoT, sensoring & data structure strategy) and our Smart Building Integration Team implements and links the building to our Building Intelligence Platform. The objective is to have the building be controlled as autonomously as possible by the Digital Twin, which acts as the brain of the platform.
The TPEX Navigator provides an up-to-date view of static building data, dynamic financial data and the real-time situation in the buildings monitored through the IoT. Based on predefined rulings the Digital Twin remotely controls the Smart Buildings and informs our Smart Building Operations Control Centre if human intervention and support is needed. All data and actions are stored and our Performance Analysts advise on improvements to be made in the buildings or in the underlying processes.