Smart Building Technology [TC Spotlight]

Smart building technology plays a key role in efficient building operation and has a close relationship with emissions reduction. A building is not only a good example for the application of automation science and engineering methods but also triggers further studies in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS). A building is also a microgrid and, thus, provides a nice test bed for smart-grid technologies. Renewable energy systems, such as building-integrated photovoltaic panels and on-site wind power generation, will be pervasively available in commercial and residential buildings in the near future.