Getting started with IoT for Social Infrastructure

f) Direct BMS integration
Many buildings are fitted with management systems,
sometimes running state-of-the-art technologies alongside
legacy equipment that may be outdated or no longer in
production. One of the major challenges of building automation
is to integrate these different systems to ensure they can
communication with each other. BMS systems are increasingly
starting to open-up application programming interfaces (API)
which allows developers and estate managers to connect
various systems. Data from an IoT gateway can be integrated
directly to a BMS through a data transfer protocol - or data may
be able to be integrated through software integration. There has
also been an evolution of the BMS communication standards
such as such as BACnet that now includes new web standards
to interface into systems and increase interoperability.
g) Whole life performance framework and IoT
Improving how our social infrastructure performs across
the asset lifecycle is a key enabler to support Scottish
Government achieving its ambition of a sustainable and
inclusive net zero carbon economy. This ambition is relevant
to both our new and existing infrastructure as highlighted
by the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland in its
30-year infrastructure strategy report, ‘Key Findings Report -
A blueprint for Scotland’ published in January 2020:
“Most of the underlying infrastructure that will be used in
30-years’ time already exists today. It is therefore essential
that these assets are most effectively and efficiently utilised,
maintained and enhanced to net zero carbon readiness.”
How we measure the performance of our assets across the
lifecycle is a complex and sometimes siloed approach where
data and methodologies differ across regions, sectors and
disciplines. Scottish Futures Trust has led in the development
of research to look at best practice across industry in how
the performance of social infrastructure is measured across
areas such as commercial performance, design performance,
environmental, social & economic performance.
The ability to measure performance in a consistent way where
real time data is generated and analysed offers significant
potential. IoT technology will help realise the potential sooner
and in a more consistent and informed way.
Areas where IoT and cloud-based control systems could
have an impact on whole life performance:
• Energy efficiency – HVAC, temperature control,
energy automation
• Asset management and optimisation
• Predictive maintenance
• Indoor air quality
• Green buildings standards
• Measurement and verification of performance
• Real time data
• Compliance
h) Benefits of using IoT within our social infrastructure
IoT has the potential to digitally transform how many
aspects of how social building estates are managed.
Benefits are:
Public Services
• Support operational performance of our public buildings
• Improve building user engagement and experience of
our social infrastructure.
• Improve educational and health outcomes.
Asset Owners
• Improve utilisation of building assets
• Reduce costs in how we manage our assets.
• Improve resilience
• Support operational decision making with improved
data analytics
• Support carbon performance and support Scottish
Government net-zero carbon ambition.
Social & Economy
• Create marketplace and opportunities for IoT providers.
• Support digital marketplace, innovation and
transformation.
• Support international competitiveness of SMEs developing
IoT devices.
• Identify IoT solutions to challenges within social
infrastructure supporting business competitiveness.
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