Sensors and sensor networks for smart buildings and cities are monitoring systems that collect, process, and transmit data on various environmental parameters, such as temperature, humidity, air quality, lighting levels, and the presence of people. The sensors can be equipped with advanced optoelectronic components for motion detection, image analysis, and emissions monitoring. Sensor networks communicate via wired or wireless technologies to create intelligent management systems for buildings and urban spaces. Major applications include building automation, intelligent lighting systems, security monitoring, energy management, and emergency response systems.
Sensors and Sensor Networks for Smart Buildings and Cities
Type of technology
Description of the technology
Basic elements
- Environmental sensors: Detectors that measure temperature, humidity, air quality, and noise levels.
- Optical sensors: Systems that detect motion, analyse the presence of people, and monitor light levels.
- Emission sensors: Detectors that monitor the concentration of gaseous pollutants, such as CO2 and NOx, and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5).
- Cameras and imaging systems: Devices for motion detection, image analysis, and critical area monitoring.
- Communication networks: Wired and wireless modules, such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and LoRaWAN, to enable data transfer between sensors.
Industry usage
- Smart buildings: Automation of HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), lighting, and security management.
- Smart cities: Traffic monitoring, air quality detection systems, and remote infrastructure management.
- Public safety: Video surveillance systems, intruder detection, and remote emergency management.
- Industry: Applications in industrial automation and production process monitoring.
- Environmental protection: Pollution monitoring and management of emission reduction systems.
Importance for the economy
Sensor systems for smart buildings and cities are crucial to creating sustainable, safe, and energy-efficient urban spaces. By monitoring environmental parameters, it is possible to reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and enhance public safety. The sensors also enable better management of city infrastructure, resulting in reduced operating costs and faster response to emergencies. The systems have great potential in the construction sector, real property management, energy, and the developing concepts of smart cities.
Related technologies
Artificial Intelligence
Decision automation and adaptation of building systems based on sensor data analysis.
Internet of Things
Integration of sensors with IoT networks to remotely monitor and manage environmental parameters.
Mechanism of action
- Sensor systems in smart buildings and cities are based on constant monitoring of environmental parameters and provision of real-time data to central management systems. Optical sensors record changes in light intensity or motion, while environmental sensors analyse air composition, humidity, and temperature. The collected data is sent to a central unit for processing and analysis. Depending on the results, the system can automatically adjust building parameters, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, or trigger alarms, when a threat is detected. With integrated communication networks, the sensors can operate in large spaces, such as entire buildings or cities, providing comprehensive automation and energy efficiency improvements.
Advantages
- Increasing energy efficiency: Automation of lighting, heating, and air conditioning systems.
- Improving security: Detection of hazards, such as fires, gas leaks, and intruders.
- Better quality of life: Monitoring air quality and noise levels in cities.
- Management optimisation: Automation and optimisation of management of urban resources, such as transport.
- Environmental protection: Reduction of energy consumption and emissions.
Disadvantages
- Risk of cyber attacks: Potential threat of unauthorised access to monitoring and control systems.
- High implementation costs: High installation and maintenance costs of complex sensor networks.
- Difficulties with integration: Compatibility problems with various technologies and communication systems.
- Complexity of systems: The need for advanced infrastructure to manage large amounts of data.
- Privacy protection: Risk of violating citizens’ privacy when monitoring public spaces.
Implementation of the technology
Required resources
- Advanced sensors: Optical and environmental detectors and cameras.
- Communication networks: Data transmission modules, such as ZigBee, Wi-Fi, and LoRa.
- Management systems: Software for data analysis and management of building and municipal systems.
- IT infrastructure: Servers, cloud computing, and data storage systems.
- Specialists in photonics and IT: Experts in system design, implementation, and maintenance.
Required competences
- Smart building architecture: Designing sensor solutions for building management systems.
- IoT: Integrating sensors with IoT systems for monitoring and data management.
- Programming management applications: Developing software to control and monitor building systems.
- Optoelectronics: Selection of optical sensors and data transmission systems.
- Building systems security: Knowledge of smart building safety standards and norms.
Environmental aspects
- Energy consumption: High energy demand for extensive sensor networks in smart cities.
- Emissions of pollutants: Minimal emissions during operation. However, emissions may occur in the manufacturing process of components.
- Waste generated: Waste from the replacement and maintenance of sensors, such as old batteries.
- Recycling: Problems with recycling complex electronic circuits.
- Raw material consumption: High consumption of rare metals and advanced optical materials.
Legal conditions
- Privacy protection: Regulations for the protection of data collected by monitoring systems (e.g. GDPR in the European Union) and restrictions on the processing of personal data in smart cities.
- Occupational safety: Standards for the installation and maintenance of equipment in buildings and urban spaces to ensure the safe use of systems and the protection of workers from hazards (e.g. health and safety regulations).
- Environmental regulations: Standards for environmental impact of monitoring systems, including electronic waste management and requirements for energy efficiency of equipment.
- Critical infrastructure protection: Regulations for the installation and management of sensors at critical sites (e.g. airports, power plants, water supply networks) to protect against physical threats and cyber attacks.
- Equipment certification: Requirements for certification of sensors and optoelectronic devices used in buildings and public spaces for safety and compliance with standards (e.g. CE, IEC).