Smart buildings

Agilewaves is developing a system that monitors electric, gas and water usage from energy sensors and links them through an integration panel within the building.
It’s one of a number of startups in the US, designing systems to integrate energy monitoring devices and sensors with data acquisition software and, in some cases, smart meters in order to measure and manage power use.

One of the distinctions of the company is that they are not going to the utility, but directly to the building owner. The strategy can be deployed quickly and easily and provide highly accurate, targeted, intelligent info as opposed to just data. That information can be sent to computers, mobile devices or third party monitoring services.

Products like the Agilwaves system allow users to recognize where there are problems in a building, for example:
· HVAC systems that are simultaneously cooling and heating a building
· Systems that are on 24 hours a day that don't need to be on 24 hours per day
· Pumps that dont need to be runnning all the time
· Lights that don't need to be on at night

Building owners can see savings of 15-25% in the first year, according to the company.

Looks like software and IT will play a major role in the transition to a global clean economy.