|
The Future of Interoperable Systems
Seems like just yesterday, it is now 21 years
since the BACnet standard, ASHRAE 135, was approved and published.
Since then much has happened.
|
Paul Ehrlich,
Ira
Goldschmidt
& Angela Lewis
Building
Intelligence Group
As
published
September Issue -
BAS Column
|
While
it seems like just yesterday, it is now 21 years since the BACnet
standard, ASHRAE 135, was approved and published. Since then much has
happened. We had a brief, but furious industry debate over the
need for open protocols, and battles over which protocol to use.
Over the years, it has largely settled out, with essentially all HVAC
controls suppliers offering systems that use BACnet, while also fairly
strong support for other protocols, such as LonWorks, Modbus, and
various uses of XML and other web standards. In many ways, it
feels like this is an issue that has been settled and no further work
is needed.
This
really could not be further from the truth. While it should be
expected that robust open protocols like BACnet will continue to be
widely used, readily supported, and continually enhanced, we should
also expect that new protocols will be needed for markets,
applications, and use cases that are not readily supported by a control
protocol such as what was originally defined in BACnet. Here are some
examples of what will need to be supported in future protocol
implementations:
- Semantics:
One thing we have learned in doing systems integration and data
analysis is that it isn’t just a matter of being able to integrate, but
of being able to understand what you have connected to. This
meaning of data is semantics. Standards for semantics, such as
being proposed in project Haystack, are key to being able to have
better operating integrated systems.
- Cross Industry Support:
Different industries have gravitated to different interoperability
standards. Moving to common standards will make integration
easier to implement broadly. Note that this includes not
only lighting and HVAC applications, but in the future for vehicle
chargers, solar panels, etc.
- Business and Grid Support:
Control systems will be expected to readily provide data to business
systems and to bring data to and from the grid (often called Building
to Grid). These will largely be IT based standards.
- Small Commercial and Residential Support:
Today’s solutions are fairly commonly applied in larger commercial
buildings. Future solutions are also needed that can be used for
integration and connection of smaller commercial buildings as well as
residential applications. While ideally the same set of standards
could be used for all building applications, it may make more sense to
have one set of solutions for consumers / residential applications and
another for commercial applications.
There is ongoing
work from a number of groups to evaluate and develop new and expanded
open protocols. ASHRAE is very active in expanding BACnet, but
work is also ongoing from groups including NIST and the DOE to help
define standards for expanded capabilities and functionality for open
and interoperable systems.
About the Authors
Paul
and IraPaul and Ira first worked together on a series of ASHRAE
projects including the BACnet committee and Guideline 13 – Specifying
DDC Controls. The formation of Building Intelligence Group provided
them the ability to work together professionally providing assistance
to owners with the planning, design and development of Intelligent
Building Systems. Building Intelligence Group provides services for
clients worldwide including leading Universities, Corporations, and
Developers. More information can be found at
www.buildingintelligencegroup.com We also invite you to contact
us directly at Paul@buildingintelligencegroup.com or
ira@buildingintelligencegroup.com
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