Low-cost web technology could give workers full control over their office environment, according to research being carried out by Arup. Andy Pearson takes a seat at the desk of the future
Tag: IT & Controls
Life support – providing heat and power in Antarctica
The facilities team at the British Antarctic Survey are responsible for maintaining heat and power in some of the most isolated buildings on Earth. Alex Smith finds out how remote monitoring and controls are ensuring the welfare of staff and scientists living near the South Pole
Taking control – approaches to power over ethernet in lighting
Power over ethernet is a hot topic in commercial lighting as the Internet of Things continues to spread its web – but not all products work the same way. Prolojik’s Asela Rodrigo explains the different approaches to this emerging technology when applied to lighting
Missing the mark – why schools are failing on energy performance
A RIBA review of school performance revealed an industry-wide struggle with delivering new buildings that operate well. Lisa Pasquale MCIBSE of Six Cylinder explains why adherence to design codes is causing high levels of complexity in controls and services, resulting in significant inefficiencies
Brains storm – Digital Catapult’s Hackathon
To mark the launch of a database containing information from the Building Performance Evaluation programme, digital, construction and property experts teamed up to discuss how they could use data to close the performance gap. Alex Smith finds out who stood out from the IT crowd at Hackathon
Savings bank – cooling at the Bank of England
A new cooling system has reduced the Bank of England’s carbon emissions by 717 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, saving it £150,000 on its annual energy bill. Liza Young finds out how it was achieved
Simply smart – CIBSE Homes for the Future Group debate
Smart technologies should be simple and intuitive, and used to build citizen-centric cities. Liza Young reports from a CIBSE Homes for the Future Group debate
Giant strides – Cisco and Johnson Controls merge BMS and IT
Technology giants Johnson Controls and Cisco have merged the BMS and IT technologies at a Cisco HQ in the UK on a single platform, and are generating savings of £120,000 per building per year. Alex Smith reports
University challenge – optimising BMS at Oxford University
When the project team uncovered issues with a new ground source heat pump in a flagship building at the University of Oxford, it prompted a large-scale investigation of existing HVAC systems across the estate. Liza Young looks at how system optimisation is helping the university to cut its carbon emissions
Street smart
Local electrical power networks have the potential to slash household energy bills by half, but are being held in check by regulations on domestic energy management. A pilot project in Wiltshire is showing how modern controls, clever algorithms and more enlightened legislation could transform UK energy supply. Encraft’s Matthew Rhodes and Paula Quintela, of e2E Services, explain