Consorzio T3LAB proposes a project the goal of which is to develop systems of 'Environmental Intelligence' to optimize energy consumption in buildings using basic technologies such as those used at T3LAB. First the project focuses on the analysis of the current status in local companies and studies their needs in energy supply ( average and peak consumptions, used sources). Systems are analyzed to produce and stow electrical energy locally, and to manage sources to always use the less expensive one.

Then, thanks to a network of wireless sensors/actuators, the project aims at analyzing the energy consumption of a building as well as managing its conditioning and lighting. Moreover the use of pervasive computing and environmental intelligence leads to optimize the use of the energetic sources indoor as well as to reduce costs. The Desk Energy Efficiency strategies concentrate on the energetic optimization at both entire building scale (conditioning, building lighting, windows,) and local scale (office desks and boxes, work benches, machines of production, ).

Energy may be controlled on site through a wireless sensor network in order to restrict the device activation to their effective use, reducing by this way the consumption of energy and ensuring at the same time the quality of the work area. For example, an automatic control of lighting may guarantee a constant light level in time and space avoiding excesses. An absence detection system may reduce activity, switch off computers and printers or turn off machines when the operator goes away, returning to active status when he gets back.

Finally, energy harvesting techniques may scavenge the surrounded energy to supply low consumption devices (i.e , energetic platforms).

Keywords: buildings, energy efficiency, ICT

Contact: Mirko Falavigna - mirko.falavigna@t3lab.it