Short answer

Adopt or adapt open-source platforms like Elemental for efficient and cost-effective building performance monitoring and control solutions.

Field
Commercial Production
Source
Sensors (2019)
Method
System development and case study deployment
Evidence
Strong effect

An open-source hardware and software platform, Elemental, enables comprehensive, low-cost monitoring and control of building energy usage and indoor environmental quality. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Sensors. Using System development and case study deployment, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt or adapt open-source platforms like Elemental for efficient and cost-effective building performance monitoring and control solutions.

Study
Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Open-Source Platform Streamlines Building Energy and Environmental Monitoring

An open-source hardware and software platform, Elemental, enables comprehensive, low-cost monitoring and control of building energy usage and indoor environmental quality.

Sensors · 2019

01

Key Findings

  • 01The Elemental platform facilitates easy and virtually unlimited datalogging, monitoring, and analysis of real-time sensor data.
  • 02The platform offers low setup costs and enables precise, immediate fault detection through abundant, low-power sensor nodes.
  • 03The open-source nature allows for flexible application in various building contexts.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Adopt or adapt open-source platforms like Elemental for efficient and cost-effective building performance monitoring and control solutions.

How to apply

Integrate wireless sensor networks and open-source software for real-time data acquisition and analysis in building design projects.

Project actions

  • 01Consider using off-the-shelf microcontrollers and wireless modules for sensor nodes.
  • 02Explore open-source software for data logging, visualization, and analysis.
  • 03Document the integration process and the challenges encountered.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop and demonstrate an open-source platform for comprehensive building energy and indoor environmental monitoring and control.
MethodSystem development and case study deployment
ProcedureThe Elemental platform was developed, integrating custom PCBs with RF transceivers, a Raspberry Pi backhaul, and a Dockerized backend application (Brood) for message brokering, database storage, and data visualization. The platform was then deployed in three distinct applications: a research lab for data collection, a full-home monitoring solution, and for fault detection in building systems.
ContextBuilding energy and indoor environmental monitoring

Variables

IV["Platform architecture (hardware and software components)","Deployment scenarios (lab, home, zone-level)"]
DV["Data logging capabilities","Monitoring and analysis of sensor data","Fault and anomaly detection effectiveness","Setup costs"]
CV["Type of sensors used","Environmental conditions","Building characteristics"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Demonstrates a complete, functional system.
  • +Highlights the benefits of open-source development.
  • +Provides multiple application examples.

Limitations

The initial setup might require technical expertise in hardware integration and software configuration. Scalability to very large buildings may require further network infrastructure.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is supported by the demonstration of the platform across three distinct applications. Reliability would be enhanced by long-term testing and comparison with established monitoring systems.

Think critically

How might the security and privacy concerns of an open-source platform impact its adoption in commercial building management compared to proprietary systems?

05

Design Principles

"Leverage open-source ecosystems for rapid development and deployment of integrated monitoring and control systems."

This research presents a practical, adaptable system for designers and engineers to implement detailed building performance analysis. Its open-source nature fosters collaboration and allows for customization, potentially reducing development costs and accelerating the adoption of smart building technologies.

06

What This Means for Your Design

This study shows how to build a smart system using readily available parts and free software to track a building's energy use and air quality, helping to find problems and save energy.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference the Elemental platform as an example of an integrated hardware-software solution for data acquisition.
  • 2.Discuss the benefits of open-source approaches in reducing development time and cost for similar design projects.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The Elemental platform, as detailed by Syed Ali et al. (2019), offers a compelling model for developing integrated building monitoring systems. Its open-source architecture, combining custom PCBs with readily available computing hardware and software, demonstrates a pathway to cost-effective and adaptable solutions for tracking energy usage and indoor environmental quality. This approach is highly relevant for design projects aiming to enhance building performance and occupant well-being through data-driven insights.

09

Source

Sensors

Elemental: An Open-Source Wireless Hardware and Software Platform for Building Energy and Indoor Environmental Monitoring and Control

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about open-source platform streamlines building energy and environmental monitoring?
Adopt or adapt open-source platforms like Elemental for efficient and cost-effective building performance monitoring and control solutions. Evidence: Sensors (2019).
Why does "Open-Source Platform Streamlines Building Energy and Environmental Monitoring" matter for design?
This research presents a practical, adaptable system for designers and engineers to implement detailed building performance analysis. Its open-source nature fosters collaboration and allows for customization, potentially reducing development costs and accelerating the adoption of smart building technologies.
How can designers apply this research?
Adopt or adapt open-source platforms like Elemental for efficient and cost-effective building performance monitoring and control solutions.
What were the main findings?
The Elemental platform facilitates easy and virtually unlimited datalogging, monitoring, and analysis of real-time sensor data.. The platform offers low setup costs and enables precise, immediate fault detection through abundant, low-power sensor nodes.. The open-source nature allows for flexible application in various building contexts.
What research method was used?
System development and case study deployment.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Sensors.
What should I do differently in my next project?
Integrate wireless sensor networks and open-source software for real-time data acquisition and analysis in building design projects.
What are the limitations?
The effectiveness of the platform may depend on the specific sensor types used and the density of sensor deployment. Network reliability and data security considerations are crucial for widespread adoption.