SPECIALIST INSIGHT
Why is it crucial for institutions like the University of Birmingham to embrace and leverage Smart Building technologies , and how do you see these advancements benefiting both the campus community and the broader sustainability efforts ?
It ’ s becoming increasingly crucial for institutions like the University of Birmingham to embrace and leverage Smart Building technologies to enhance campus efficiency and functionality . These technologies can help enhance the student and staff experience and help to ensure that universities can attract the best talent .
In fact , we see that students today are increasingly prioritising sustainability when choosing a university , with 87 % agreeing they want their chosen institution to take sustainability seriously . Commitment to sustainability enhances a university ’ s reputation , enabling it to attract environmentally-conscious students , and foster a community dedicated to making a positive impact on the world .
By implementing Smart Building technologies at the University of Birmingham , we ’ re not only contributing towards a healthier planet but also providing our students with the knowledge and skills to address future ecological challenges .
Could you elaborate on the role of Schneider Electric ’ s technology in helping the University of Birmingham achieve its sustainability goals and improve building performance ?
A core part of our sustainability strategy is to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency . Using Schneider ’ s Power Monitoring ExpertTM software has granted us insight into energy usage and power quality in real-time . From this , we are able to make informed decisions that improve performance and drive sustainability .
Alongside the requirements for proactive facilities management , asset management and sustainable energy efficiency , it is vital that we provide superior experience for our users , whether that ’ s visitors , staff or students . The integration of smart sensors ,
The University of Birmingham is pioneering the integration of Smart Building technologies across its campus , setting new standards for sustainability and efficiency in higher education . Discover how Trevor Payne , Director of Estates at the University of Birmingham , is leading the charge with Schneider Electric ’ s Smart Building technologies . In this interview , he explores how these innovations enhance campus efficiency , sustainability and benefit students , staff and the broader community . which monitor occupancy , air quality , CO 2 and ambient factors , provide vital data to drive automated room control . With dynamic monitoring of user needs , alongside end-to-end cyber-secure systems , everyone on the campus can enjoy the benefits of the Smart Building experience .
Working with Schneider Electric is also helping us to avoid any unplanned downtime . This is because we have access to a 24 / 7 Remote Monitoring Service , and a dedicated team of experts who remotely monitor , troubleshoot and analyse connected assets to help maximise uptime , improve maintenance and reduce energy usage and costs .
We have adopted EcoStruxure Building AdvisorTM , part of Schneider Electric ’ s suite of analytic monitoring services , to achieve constant monitoring of the building management system .
How has the implementation of Schneider Electric ’ s solutions contributed to the University ’ s proactive approach to facilities management and maintenance ?
Working with Schneider Electric has enabled us to take a data-led approach , which means we can be more proactive when it comes to increasing energy efficiency .
We have adopted EcoStruxure Building AdvisorTM , part of Schneider Electric ’ s suite of analytic monitoring services , to achieve constant monitoring of the building management system . This enables our facilities team to proactively address inefficiencies , quickly identify faults and take preventative actions .
One example of this is when it comes to cleaning . Previously we were scheduling our cleaning based on a room booking system . This meant that rooms that weren ’ t being occupied were still on the list . However , with Schneider ’ s technology , we can base our rotas on occupancy rates , which is far more accurate . It means we can be more efficient and will likely also result in some financial savings .
In what ways have smart sensors been utilised to monitor factors like occupancy , air quality and CO 2 emissions across the campus ? What benefits have these monitoring capabilities brought to students , staff and visitors ?
The system currently monitors 205 building assets and a total of 1,222 connected points . It takes readings from the connected building assets every five minutes , and this data is then sent to the cloud and analysed to determine whether the building is functioning optimally . If an anomaly is identified , the system can
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