A Concept for an Operative Platform to Manage Intelligent Buildings

A control and operational platform for an Intelligent building is developed using a SCADA system (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition). This operative platform is structured over a two-level architecture where inner-loops are performed by local PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller), and the outer-loop is managed by the centralized SCADA system that interacts with the entire PLC network. This paper shows the great potential of a control strategy over two layers - distributed local controls that are connected with an intelligent centralized control unit which has a global view over the system. The lower level control loop assures high processing velocity tasks, the upper level control loop updates the local references, knowing the complete system state. This operative model is tested on a prototype, where all instrumentation in place is controlled by the industrial PLC network. The prototype worked perfectly showing the huge potential of communication systems between distributed processes. These communication systems allow intelligent centralized algorithms to manage decision making problems in real-time environments. The system presented in this paper combines several technologies (local PLCs, SCADA systems and network communications) to reach the goal of efficient management of distributed processes.