Building Performance
Smart Buildings
Smart Building Controls
5 hours
to complete
Last updated 05/2025
About this course
In this "Smart Building Controls" training, Slipstream's smart building experts guide you through cutting-edge technologies that optimize building performance and energy efficiency. The course covers advanced monitoring systems, smart building architecture, cybersecurity protocols, and occupancy-centric controls—providing you with practical knowledge to implement intelligent solutions in your facilities.
You'll learn how Energy Management and Information Systems differ from traditional Building Automation Systems, understand the three-layer architecture of smart building platforms, develop cybersecurity strategies tailored to building control systems, and discover how occupancy-centric controls can dramatically reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfort. Whether you're seeking to enhance operational efficiency, improve occupant satisfaction, or reduce environmental impact, this training equips you with the expertise to transform your buildings into responsive, intelligent environments.
You'll learn how Energy Management and Information Systems differ from traditional Building Automation Systems, understand the three-layer architecture of smart building platforms, develop cybersecurity strategies tailored to building control systems, and discover how occupancy-centric controls can dramatically reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfort. Whether you're seeking to enhance operational efficiency, improve occupant satisfaction, or reduce environmental impact, this training equips you with the expertise to transform your buildings into responsive, intelligent environments.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
6 modules
5 hours to complete
4:36 hours
of video lectures
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Advanced building monitoring and controls
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Advanced building monitoring and controls
This session introduces using Energy Management and Information System (EMIS) software for advanced building monitoring and controls. The benefits of EMIS and differences between EMIS and traditional Building Automation System (BAS) will be presented. Among the four key EMIS capabilities - data analytics, Energy Information System (EIS), Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD), and Automated System Optimization (ASO) - FDD and ASO will be discussed in depth, including different methods used and some examples. Towards the end, the Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx) process, which often uses EMIS software to assist facility and O&M staff in efficient building operations and maintenance, will be presented.
- Advanced building monitoring and controls (47:35 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Smart building control platform
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Smart building control platform
This session introduces the general smart building control platform architecture and three layers: system (or device) layer, integration layer, and application layer. In the system layer section, building controls, networked lighting controls, and battery and EV charging controls are explained at a high level. In the integration layer section, “independent data layer” and data modeling concepts are introduced, and the use of Haystack, Brick Schema, and ASHRAE 223 P to help make smart building application development and implementation more scalable is explained. A few smart building application examples are illustrated in the application layer section. Finally, the pros and cons of Open Source vs. Proprietary Platforms are discussed.
- Smart building control platform (48:42 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Module 3 • 2 assignments
Smart building control platform cybersecurity
Module 3 • 2 assignments
Smart building control platform cybersecurity
This session provides an overview of cybersecurity as it relates to building automation control systems. The module covers market trends, identifying physical and logical risks, and methods to assess building owner requirements. Various cybersecurity approaches are discussed with reference work done by ASHRAE, NIST, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Instrumentation Society of America. The module also provides a foundational background of control network architectures and technologies and methods for providing a comprehensive “fit-for-purpose" cybersecurity plan.
- Smart building control platform cybersecurity (01:07:48 hours)
- Presentation Slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Module 4 • 2 assignments
Smart building control methods
Module 4 • 2 assignments
Smart building control methods
- Smart building control methods (01:06:57 hours)
- Presentation Slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Module 5 • 2 assignments
Occupant-centric control
Module 5 • 2 assignments
Occupant-centric control
With the rapid development of sensing technology, occupancy-centric control (OCC) has demonstrated great energy-saving potential while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. By leveraging advanced sensing technologies, OCC can adjust temperature and ventilation settings based on real-time occupancy information, thereby addressing the energy wastage issue caused by discrepancies between actual occupancy and pre-defined schedules. This seminar introduces the background and concept of OCC, presents current state-of-the-art occupant sensing technology, describes occupancy- centric temperature and ventilation control logic, and discusses four OCC case studies.
- Occupant-centric control (45:01 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 2 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate (members only)
Authors
Slipstream creates, tests, delivers, and scales the next generation of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that move us farther, faster toward a clean energy economy. Slipstream partners with utilities, local and state governments, regulatory agencies and other organizations to inspire new solutions to big energy challenges. With decades of experience...
Joe Zhou, PhD, PE, CEM
Director of Research and Innovation, Slipstream
Xiaohui “Joe” Zhou is a Director of Research and Innovation at Slipstream, headquartered in Madison, WI. Joe has 30+ years of experience in commercial building controls and his current areas of research focus on emerging technology field testing and verification. Before joining Slipstream, he worked for several organizations, including Iowa Energy Center and Johnson...
Ron Bernstein
CEO, RBCG Consulting
Ron Bernstein is CEO and Principal Engineer of RBCG Consulting, providing consulting, engineering, research, and educational services to organizations needing help navigating their energy and automation strategy. RBCG works with end users, owners, specifiers, suppliers, and integrators to develop IoT, interoperability, and open systems approaches to building automation,...
Dr. Bing Dong
Associate Professor, Syracuse University
Dr. Bing Dong is an Associate Professor at Syracuse University in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He is also the Associate Director of the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Energy and Environmental Systems, and the lead of BESTlab. He has more than 20 years’ experience and contributions in research and education, including 1) occupant behavior...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
This is a free course. Enroll today and get access to all of the materials instantly. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll.
How long do I have access to the materials?
For free courses there is no guarantee for how long the course materials will be available.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Certificates of completion are only provided to HeatSpring Membership subscribers. This course has not been approved by any credentialing organizations (NABCEP, AIA, USGBC etc) for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). This course is for self education purposes only and completion does not indicate a level of professional expertise or credential.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, this is a free course so you can share this page with other people from your team.
