Sustainable operations practices matter
They may look like they're standing still, but our buildings are highly dynamic places.
The HVAC is constantly cycling. Sensors regulate water and electricity. Facilities Management staff program building temperatures by anticipating seasonal changes to adjust outside air usage for temperature and humidity. Our staff also keep track of class and event schedules to make temperature adjustments as needed.
As we plan for our new campus, we will incorporate the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, mobility, satellite, and cloud-based innovations to help us do more and help us to accurately predict how our systems will perform in the future. Armed with this information, we can make better-informed decisions, plan smarter, reduce our carbon footprint, realize greater efficiencies, and create higher quality facility services.
Our technicians may be able to obtain electric, gas, and water meter readings by scanning asset QR codes with smartphones during their rounds. By pulling that plant log data, which is stored in the cloud, into an analytic platform, we can see usage levels, anticipate when repairs may be needed, take steps to proactively prevent equipment breakdowns, and help customers determine when run-to-fail makes more sense than repairs.
Currently we implement:
- Over night and weekend HVAC temperature reductions
- Reusable water bottle filling stations
- Dual flush water stools
- LED lightbulbs
- Motion and light sensors in offices, hallways and gathering spaces
- Waste reduction – through campus recycling
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for grounds management