Ecosense: A Context and Semantics Driven Framework for Eco-Aware Ambient Environments

Global climate change can be mitigated with innovative solutions in the ambient intelligence domain that utilize distributed and heterogeneous sensor networks for high resolution sensing of resource utilization (e.g. energy, water, etc.) via intelligent coordination among sensor nodes. We propose the EcoSense framework as a holistic solution that enables dynamic control and reconfiguration of the sensor nodes in an ambient environment based on our resource consumption patterns. EcoSense introduces service and context layers to existing sensor network stacks to enable interoperability between heterogeneous sensor node platforms. A prototype of the framework for an eco-aware smart space has been developed as a pervasive infrastructure for monitoring and minimizing resource consumption at individual levels and also for building eco-aware homes and workspaces.