Swansea University has delivered £156,000 in energy and operational savings as part of a programme to modernise its two campuses and reduce carbon emissions.
The university has been working with energy technology company Schneider Electric to upgrade building and electrical infrastructure across its Singleton and Bay campuses, using data and smart building technology to identify opportunities to reduce energy use and operating costs.
The work forms part of Swansea University's ambition to achieve zero carbon for direct emissions by 2035, with an interim target of reducing emissions by at least 70% by 2030.
Among the measures introduced are integrated building management and fire safety systems, alongside energy monitoring technology which provides the university with data on how buildings and infrastructure are performing.
This information is being used to inform investment decisions across the estate, including the introduction of bidirectional electric vehicle charging points and the integration of solar generation.
The university is also piloting a microgrid using battery storage to help power buildings during periods of peak electricity demand.
Occupancy monitoring has produced further savings by giving the university greater insight into when and how its buildings are being used.
In the university's Finance Building, changes made following analysis of occupancy data have resulted in a 44.4% reduction in energy consumption.
The technology allows facilities teams to shut down parts of buildings earlier when they are not required, while identifying rooms and other spaces which are underused and could potentially generate additional income through external hire.
Swansea University has also introduced technology to monitor the condition and performance of its estate, supported by remote access to engineers and technical specialists for maintenance and repairs.
Chris Lewis, Building Management Systems Manager at Swansea University, said:
“Schneider Electric's digital solutions are providing incredible insight into our estate, allowing us to put value directly against our actions. Detailed information on the return on investment helps us justify strategic decisions across the estate as we look to make operational savings and energy efficiencies on our journey towards our net zero target.”
Alice Williams, Schneider Electric's Vice President, Digital Energy for the UK & Ireland, said:
“Swansea University is an excellent example of an organisation making significant gains, both in terms of operations and energy efficiency, by taking a technology-first approach to its estate.
“Our state-of-the-art solutions and expert support are making improvements to the ageing estate, moving it into the modern age.”
