Intelligent Building Automation: A Demand Response Management Perspective

In recent years intelligent Building Automation Systems, based on best practice open technology, have succeeded in helping facilities reduce their infrastructure, installation and operating costs. The idea was - 'the less the human intervention and the more automated the system then the more efficient the building'. With that in mind a question may arise as to whether this philosophy has been successful in educating the consumer on the importance of energy efficiency or has it actually alienated him? Would it be more effective if the consumer were to be part of the efficiency process? What about if the energy savings could be passed on to the consumer directly depending on how efficient he was? Demand response is a mechanism by which consumers change the energy consumption in response to energy price fluctuations, demand charges, or a direct request to reduce demand when the power grid reaches critical levels. However, in order for a demand response regime to be effective the building will need to have a number of 'pre-requisites' in place