On Defining Information and Communication Technology Requirements and Associated Challenges for ‘Energy and Comfort Active’ Buildings

摘要

The intention of this article is to highlight considerations and ensuing challenges encountered in attempts to define communication requirements for the proposed multi-agent based building energy management systems. This is within the framework of ‘TKI-Smart Grid BEMS’ project which aims at developing new generation intelligent Building Energy Management Systems having capacity to interact with the utility power systems distribution network. The article identifies the development of comfort and energy active buildings as key to deriving maximum benefits from electrical smart grids for the built environment. These buildings require well specified information and communication technology for operational success. The paper is based on critical literature review. This is followed by a discussion on the challenges associated with specifying ICT infrastructure for multi-agents systems-based energy and comfort active buildings.