A maker-community-friendly implementation of a smart and green office environment: Lessons learned

To support economic growth, it is generally agreed that the supply of electrical energy has to meet, or exceed, the demand for electrical energy. Assuming the above statement holds true, at least two options exist when one considers how the supply side can be matched to the demand side as far as electrical energy is concerned. One option is, albeit at the detriment of economic growth, to maintain the existing supply-side capacity in the provision of electrical energy. The second option is to reduce the demand-side need for electrical energy. Our research aim is to support efforts in reducing demand-side electrical energy needs. Minimising electrical energy needs in the office environment, whilst maintaining a comfortable working environment for the occupants, is a problem currently receiving significant attention. The Internet of Things is one technological approach that holds the promise of assisting engineers and architects in moving closer to a solution to this problem. In this paper we report on lessons learned as we instrumented an office that forms part of an Internet of Things research project that aims to reduce demand-side electrical energy consumption.