Internet

At its core the Internet is a system designed for computers and end-users to exchange information.  Developed in 1969 by the US Department of Defense, it has become an integral part of almost everything we do.  The encyclopedia article (access science) of the internet was very informative, though severely outdated (it discusses technologies developed in the year 2000).  It gives a basic overview of the functionality and design of the technological features that make up the internet.  Some of the more modern technologies have there basis from these features.  A basic understanding of how networks communicate and exchange data is important for individuals from every industry, especially those dealing with commerce.  The internet has increasingly become an important resource for facilitating realtime communications from locations around around the globe.  This global interconnectivity was accomplished through the use of the world wide web, which is only a subset of the Internet.  The world wide web is exchanges all types of media information (i.e text, sound, video and pictures).

The internet has created many opportunities for home owners.  Broadband internet has given home owners the ability to exchange information in realtime about their energy usage.  The author of the first article I read suggests that speed and relative cheapness of internet technology should encourage the development of a energy monitoring system in all homes.  The main purpose of the article is examine in detail the hurdles faced by developers when creating home energy audit technologies.  Current appliances and HVAC equipment are equipped with computer chips that can be accessed through a local area network.  They have the capacity to store information about energy usage and the ability to adjust energy settings such as hot water temperatures.  The home owner, or end user, will be able to access the information through displays that can be installed on each device or through a central location.  The appliances function the same way as servers do in the world wide web, while the displays function as a browser that allows home owners to access the information.  The article does not suggest which design the entire system should utilize, but emphasizes that they should encourage home owners to conserve energy.  This can be achieved through the variety of formats that information can be displayed on a computer screen.  Oddly, the author implies bright colors and fancy graphics would motivate people to conserve energy.  

The second source I chose was an overview of the technology available for building owners that allow for a web-based, energy control system.  One specific technology comes form a software engineering student at Portsmouth University, U.K. The technology, E-MAGINE, utilizes the internet to control the outputs of a building's HVAC and lighting operations.  The software incorporates tamper-proof control system that is embedded into the equipment and connects to a network that can be accessed through the internet.  The developers claim they can reduce a building's energy consumption by 25%.  This technology is being introduced into commercial, residential and industrial markets to help facilitate energy efficiency improvements.  This and similar technologies will help building owners meet the modern efficiency standards put in place by many governments.  The website also claims to be user friendly, in the sense that no advance knowledge of control systems is needed to install the system.  I believe that this is going to be the future of building operations.  Once the technology becomes available for the public, in regards to cost and functionality, home owners will be able to remotely control all aspects of their home.