Green Information Technology Strategic Plan - Departmental ...

1.0 Letter from the Chief Information Officer
CASE STUDY
The Smart Home
The smart home provides an excellent example of smart
building technology. The technology exists in the networked
home that offers much more than just comfort and
convenient operation. Cost reduction through optimization
of energy consumption is the focus of the project. The
control system will adjust the electrical energy consumption
according to external conditions. The heating system, for
example with sensor technology, can be turned down
automatically during the night or switched off completely
when windows are open during the day. The system also
“codes” its occupants. The night-time heating control
temperature is not simply reduced on a timer basis like in
conventional systems – it is automatically adjusted to
personal settings. In conjunction with occupancy sensors,
the lighting can be switched off and the heating control
temperature reduced automatically. Lighting levels and
temperatures will automatically be adjusted to the actual
weather conditions. The system can be customized for each
occupant. At the same time, energy costs are minimized.
Energy consumption is measured continuously and
displayed on control panels in the home. The entire house
can be strategically controlled to maximize energy savings.
The blinds in the home are controlled precisely depending
on temperature, daylight and illumination, including
adjusting the opening angle. When the home owners leave
the building, items such as ovens or irons are switched off
automatically 30 .
Supporting Environmentally Responsible Technology at USDA
Sensor technologies that may be integrated into the home
include the following 31 :
n Motion and occupancy sensors;
n Weather station for recording climate
data(precipitation, wind, brightness, humidity, external
temperature);
n Room temperature; and
n Measuring devices for water and electricity
consumption.
Automatic actuators can be utilized for control as well 32 :
n Switching and dimming of lights and sockets (also in
the garden);
n Heating and ventilation control;
n Control of shutters, blinds, window and door drives;
n Control of garden irrigation, pond pumps;
n Access system with electronic identification of the
occupants
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