ENERGY MANAGEMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Credit - University of Wales Trinity Saint David Dynevor
Credit - University of Wales Trinity Saint David_Environment
TRANSFORMING SUSTAINABILITY
FIRST CLASS SUSTAIN BILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is investing in machine learning technology and analytics to support its ambitious plans to be a leading university for energy sustainability.
UWTSD, which has campuses in Swansea, Carmarthen, Lampeter, Cardiff, London and Birmingham, is already reaping the benefits of a solar power strategy – now it’s turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to transform energy efficiency across its entire estate.
The University is using AMR DNA, an Energy Assets service, to apply AI-informed machine learning analytics to drive out energy waste, optimise efficiency, reduce consumption, and make significant steps towards net zero carbon emissions. The AMR DNA software, powered by kWIQly, progressively learns what best energy performance looks like in each building, and automatically flags up in near real-time unusual spikes in energy usage, which can be quickly addressed by the University.
“Our vision is to build on our existing position as a leading UK university for energy sustainability,” says Dan Priddy, Finance and Business Performance Manager at UWTSD. “We’re taking real actions that will reduce Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2030.
“This will be made possible by infrastructure upgrades, more investment in renewable energy, the adoption of Net Zero construction standards on new buildings and, critically, by applying machine learning technologies,” says Dan.
“We’re already seeing the benefits of this approach. Thanks to the installation of solar panels, the electricity demand at the Dynevor building, home to UWTSD’s Swansea Art College, is significantly met by renewables
24 | TOMORROW’S FM
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David aims high with renewable energy investments and machine learning analytics. Energy Assets talks to Tomorrow’s FM about how its AMR DNA service was used to support the University in becoming an energy sustainability leader.
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David aims high with renewable energy investments and machine learning analytics. Energy Assets talks to Tomorrow’s FM about the project.
generation. Now, with the move to machine learning, we aim to ensure that our entire estate is optimised for energy efficiency and emissions reduction.”
Identifying the fingerprints
of consumption Working with the University, AMR DNA analysed years’ worth of historical meter data to identify the unique ‘fingerprints’ of consumption that would provide an energy benchmark for each of the UWTSD buildings. The software models what ‘normal’ consumption looks like, taking account of multiple factors, such as occupancy levels and operating hours, and ‘learns’ what optimal performance should look like.
Using pattern recognition linked to key performance indicators, the system interrogates metered data to spot tell-tale signs of energy waste. This waste can result from something as simple as equipment running needlessly or lights being left on overnight, or might be linked to incorrect heating timeclock controls, over-compensation for ambient weather conditions, or high summer base loads.
“We operate six campuses covering everything from student accommodation, libraries, teaching spaces and offices to engineering workshops, manufacturing units and sports facilities,” says Dan. “This creates an estate with a lot of nuances, which makes the manual tracking of energy consumption very difficult and time consuming.
“But with machine learning, we not only see the big trends, but we also pick up on smaller issues that we would never have identified in the grand scheme of things…but they all add up. The amount of manual resource you would need to capture this level of detail would be ridiculous, but now we can, using AI.”
UWTSD started using the system in the latter part of 2023 and has already seen some significant benefits. For
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