Building automation systems (BASs) and open-source software are two areas of interest for me, so I’d like to share some thoughts on how they intersect, at least from the exposure I’ve had to them. Open-source software projects are those characterized as having very permissive licenses and public and collaborative development practices. In many cases, but not always, the software is available free of cost. This is certainly an over-simplification, but it provides some background.
The vast majority of software tools related to BASs are not available via open-source software, and there are some reasons for that I could speculate on. However, here and there, overlaps exist. One that comes to mind quickly for me is Project Haystack. As described on the Project Haystack website, this collective is focused on “semantic modeling solutions for data related to smart devices, including building equipment systems, automation and control devices, [and] sensors and sensing devices,” and since they are taking an open-source approach to standards development, this is a collaborative, community-driven effort. The software tools derived from Project Haystack are integral to a wide range of product offerings from a growing list of manufacturers. Product offerings range from energy-saving valve actuators to front-end software suites.