Cyber Physical Systems – Situation Analysis - Energetics Meetings ...

Cyber Physical Systems – Situation AnalysisDRAFT – March 9, 2012(UAVs) to ―inspect‖ infrastructure such as bridges and dams. The UAV hovers alongside the bridge orother structure and takes close-up, high quality images which can then be analyzed to determine thestructural health. Although still in early development, this technology could provide valuable informationthat would normally not be able to be obtained during a normal inspection without having to close laneson a bridge or requiring an inspector to be present. 180Going beyond typical sensor systems, there is the possibility of the development of a material that coulddetect the formation of a crack in a structure. Researchers at Princeton University are developing a sensorcomposed of an organic laser deposited on a sheet of rubber that changes color when it is stretched. Thissensor, which covers a larger area than traditional sensors, could help inspectors by determining smallchanges in strain that are undetectable to the eye. 181BROAD CHALLENGES AND BARRIERSBuilding OwnershipIssues of ownership can present a challenge for the emergence of more effective and integrated CPS inbuildings. The building industry and consumers are motivated by different and sometimes conflictingfactors, making financial incentives for new technology a challenge. Investing in building technologiesand systems to achieve energy efficiency can have high first costs, and there can be a division betweenwho makes the initial investment and who pays the cost or reaps the benefits over time. This impacts thedecision to invest in the first place.There are also conflicting interests for the various stakeholders of a building during its delivery and postdeliverylife (e.g., design, construction, and operation stages) which may hinder the adoption of intelligentbuilding technologies. Deciding whether the building owner, manager or occupants have ownership ofenergy use will likely affect whether or not intelligent building technologies are adopted. 182Industry Structure and CultureThe current lack of collaboration between the subsectors of the buildings industry, including thearchitecture, construction, remodeling, operation and maintenance, and demolition subsectors can preventnew buildings from achieving energy, economic, and environmental performance targets and also inhibitthe adoption of advanced technology. 183 The structure and culture of the building industry is alsogenerally somewhat slow to change and adopt new technologies.Training, Education, and AwarenessIncreased training and education is necessary to better inform all levels of stakeholders about energyissues and the advantages of high performance buildings, as well as a lack of public awareness about NZEconcepts and their benefits. Human behavior, especially how humans and buildings interact, can play amajor role in CPS research. Consumers may need incentives such as ease of use or aesthetics in order tofully embrace and adopt future building technologies. The implementation of intelligent building180 ―Civil Infrastructure Inspection and Monitoring Using Unmanned Air Vehicles.‖181 ―Light-Emitting Rubber Could Sense Structural Damage.‖182 NIST. ―Measurement Science Roadmap for Net-Zero Energy Buildings Workshop Summary Report.‖ Mar 2010.183 NSTC. ―Federal R&D Agenda.‖32