What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a low-power, long-range wireless protocol used to connect IoT sensors and devices in Smart Buildings and infrastructure.
It is designed for devices that need to transmit small amounts of data over long distances while operating on batteries for years.
What LoRaWAN is used for in buildings
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Energy and utility metering
- Occupancy and people counting
- Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring
- Leak detection and fault alerts
- Asset tracking
How LoRaWAN works
LoRaWAN uses a star-based network architecture where battery-powered sensors communicate wirelessly with gateways.
- Sensors transmit small data packets using low radio power
- Gateways receive data and forward it to a network server
- Data is processed in cloud platforms or data layers
- Information is exposed via APIs to BMS, analytics, or dashboards
LoRaWAN vs traditional BMS networks
LoRaWAN does not replace a BMS — it complements it.
- LoRaWAN – wireless, battery-powered, sensor-focused
- BMS – wired, real-time control of HVAC and plant
- Modbus – simple field protocol for meters and equipment
- BACnet – structured building automation standard
Integrating LoRaWAN into Smart Buildings
In modern Smart Buildings, LoRaWAN data is often fed into a data layer rather than directly into controllers.
Platforms such as Tridium Niagara, analytics tools, or ESG reporting systems consume LoRaWAN data via APIs.
Benefits of LoRaWAN
- Very long battery life (often 5–10 years)
- Low installation cost (no cabling)
- Wide coverage across large estates
- Ideal for retrofit projects
- Strong fit for ESG and compliance reporting
Roles working with LoRaWAN
- Smart Buildings Engineers
- Energy Optimisation Specialists
- BMS Integrators
- Data & Analytics Engineers
- Facilities & Asset Managers
Why LoRaWAN matters
LoRaWAN enables data capture where traditional BMS wiring is impractical or too costly.
As buildings move toward data-driven optimisation, ESG reporting, and AI-driven insights, LoRaWAN plays a key role in expanding visibility beyond the control layer.