Getting Green Building Automation

Why is Building Automation a Green Technology? There are programs starting all over the nation that focus on alternative energy sources. Alternative energy technologies are an important part of reducing our dependence on foreign sources of energy. We also know current technology will not replace our demand for fossil fuels.

If we can’t replace our sources of energy with alternatives, what else can we do to reduce our use of fossil fuels? Can we used it more efficiently? Have you bought a car for better gas mileage? Where is the energy being used?

Residential Data According to the Building Technologies Program's 2008 Buildings Energy Data Book, in 2006:2008 Buildings Energy Data Book The U.S. had approximately 113 million residential buildings. Residences accounted for 21% of primary energy consumption in the U.S. and 20% of carbon dioxide emissions. $225.6 billion was spent on energy for residences. 59% of homes were built in 1979 or before.

Commercial Buildings Data According to the 2008 Buildings Energy Data Book:2008 Buildings Energy Data Book The U.S. had 74.8 billion square feet of commercial floor space in Commercial buildings represented 18% of primary energy consumption in the U.S. and used 36% of the nation's electricity in In 2006, $190.5 billion was spent on improvements and repairs to commercial buildings. As of 2003, 54% of commercial buildings were built in 1979 or before.

Increased Efficiency Is a Must Residential and Commercial buildings account for 39% of the fossil fuels used in the U.S. Residential and Commercial users consume 72% of the electricity generated. The only way to reduce our use of fossil fuels is to combine alternative fuel technologies and increased efficiency of our energy sources.

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Building Technologies Program Advanced Controls R&D On this page you'll find information about advanced building controls research and development and links to other resources. Advanced building controls play a significant role in improving building energy performance. Advanced controls promise unprecedented levels of sensing and automated response to changes in the internal and external environment. The delivery of continuous, up-to-date information on building system and component performance will enable more cost-effective equipment servicing and optimized building operation. Building owners and operators will see lower maintenance and operating costs, and building occupants will enjoy greater levels of comfort and personalized control. The Building Technologies Program has been involved in a process of developing research and development plans for advanced control technologies for building applications. The goal of the process is to identify opportunities for targeted R&D that will result in significantly increased use of control technologies that yield energy savings.

Where is it all going? Moving Toward Zero Energy Buildings DOE's zero energy building research initiative drives the goals of the Building Technologies Program and is bringing a new concept to builders and building owners across the United States. Zero energy buildings produce as much energy as they use over the course of a year. They are designed to be extremely energy efficient and have low energy requirements. To meet the remaining energy needs, zero energy buildings typically use renewable energy technologies such as solar water heating and solar electricity.goals

Building Automation I & II Who is going to take this course? Construction Electrician students, HVAC students, and people with some experience in this field wanting to increase their skill set to make themselves more marketable.

What components belong to a building automation system?

Building Automation I Course Outcomes 1.Describe common building systems that can be integrated in a building automation system. 2.Identify the common electrical systems found in commercial and industrial facilities. 3.Compare methods of switching between energy sources, alternative energy sources, and back-up energy sources.

Course Outcomes 4.Describe different types of light sources, their efficiencies and characteristics, and their uses in automated lighting control systems. 5.Identify and compare the functions of different types of light switches, dimmer, control sequences, and applications.

Course Outcomes 6.Identify and compare the functions of different types of light switches, dimmer, control sequences, and applications. 7.Identify the control devices and sensors used in an HVAC system to manage the distribution of conditioned water and air. 8.Describe the different parts of a building plumbing system.

Course Outcomes 9.Identify the controlled characteristics of a plumbing water supply. 10.Evaluate the control strategies and results of the most common water saving and plumbing control applications. 11.Identify the ways in which building automation can improve building efficiency.

Building Automation II Course Outcomes 1.Students will compare and identify the functions of fire alarms and fire suppression systems, different types of signaling, and how devices are triggered. 2.Identify and describe the wiring, signaling modes, initiating devices and their operation. 3.Compare the different types of security systems, types of protection and supervision, behaviors and arming options of each. 4.Describe control panel operation, selection and operation of sensing, notification, and interface devices.

Course Outcomes 5.Describe how to integrate security systems with other building systems for additional public safety. 6.Describe access control systems, common features, different types of credential and barrier devices. 7.Identify common strategies for integrating access control systems with other building systems for additional public safety.

Course Outcomes 8.Describe different types of video-data-voice systems, and their integration with other building systems. 9.Compare features, advantages, and control applications for digital video-data-voice systems. 10.Identify ways in which controls for different building systems interact in an integrated building automation system.

Course Outcomes 11.Evaluate the possibilities for green buildings, alternative energy savings, and life safety systems integrated into common commercial buildings, homes, and industries.

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