Universities and colleges worldwide are leading the way through various means in demonstrating the benefits of a collaborative approach of academic research and industry expertise in creating sustainable solutions that benefit everyone. They also often function as ‘small cities,’ with their energy plants, sports facilities, and civic attractions, as well as the communal study, office, and research spaces that allow their daily function. This makes them without any doubt, an ideal test bed for innovation.?
The higher education sector is constantly changing and adapting to various factors. For instance, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the pace of change in tertiary institutions across the planet. As a result, researchers, professors, and students had to adopt new tools, communication techniques, learning methods, and teaching styles. And as the world prepares for a post-pandemic future, it is vital to acknowledge that there has been an acceleration in the progression to new technologies and ways of learning and working.?
The?, a member institution of the?United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI)?in the United Kingdom, while having worked tirelessly to provide tools for remote teaching and learning, is also aware that in-person facilities benefit a wide range of people and are sometimes essential. Yet, considerations for how these are used will be a major factor in a journey to?net zero carbon. Therefore, rethinking how we use technology and buildings is a pivotal way to achieve the?.
Institutions of higher education need to be at the forefront of this work, given their influence on the industry and the younger generations. The University of Birmingham has acknowledged this critical work in its?, including a commitment to?net zero carbon?by 2045 and social responsibility. As a research-intensive university, it aims to draw on these to play a significant role in tackling various global sustainability challenges alongside other essential stakeholders.
The university delivers through an innovation strategy led by academics, professional services experts, and local industry, using big data and smart technologies to create A?smart campus?is a ‘living lab’ for the university, where data is captured from the university’s buildings, infrastructure, and energy plants. This data and new connectivity enhance day-to-day operations and have the potential to accelerate innovation, experimentation, and collaboration across a broad range of disciplines.
Matt Beveridge, the university’s Head of Innovation and Partnerships (Estates), describes the Smart Campus program’s mission as “to deliver an enriched, personalized experience for students, staff, academics, and visitors. We aim to bring together people, processes, and services to become a fully connected, global campus. We are proud to collaborate with a range of regional, national, and international partners to influence national and global strategies for smart, more sustainable spaces for all.”
The digital transformation of the university’s campuses involves technology while considering efficiency, environmental sustainability, and enhanced user experience, enabling the gathering of real-time data and feedback that helps to understand community needs and respond dynamically. This data collection and use of various building technologies for things such as lighting and heating, along with interventions to encourage facility users to be more energy efficient, is improving and will improve the institution’s operational efficiency.
The university will be able to experiment with these technologies and innovations, finding the best way to use them to have a more efficient and responsible consumption, leading to reductions in cost as well as the institution’s carbon footprint. Moreover, investments into creating hybrid working facilities include room and desk booking solutions, artificial intelligence energy management software, and space utilization sensors, allowing people to work and learn from the most suitable locations at the most convenient times.
The latter will improve work-life balance and accessibility. This exemplifies how digital transformation produces low-carbon technologies and solutions to creating a fairer, more inclusive environment. And the first phase has already begun, using five upgrades to improve the efficiency of twenty-five of the university's most energy-intensive buildings. This phase alone sees a 5% reduction in the university's carbon emissions, around 2,856 tons of CO2 in one year, and significant cost savings.?
On a related note, the university’s industry partners sponsor Ph.D. students with several research projects addressing crucial challenges in data, technology, urban systems, and the?net zero?goal. This, alongside the research and lessons learned, demonstrates the university’s responsibility for the common good. The institution now produces much of its energy and maintains over 200 buildings, many of which are over six decades old, which indeed poses challenges in achieving sustainability targets.
The university's ultimate goal is to create low-carbon solutions that are transferrable to other institutions of higher education and towns and cities. In addition, new knowledge developed from the ‘living lab’ will be published, driving the research and development process for digital transformation and opportunities for all. “Higher education institutions have never been as dynamic and open to new ideas as they are now,” commented the University of Birmingham's Director of Estates, Trevor Payne.
He emphasized the university's plan to create “a campus where data drives decision making, and research collaboration is enabled by better utilization of space.” “Through working with industry partners and acknowledging the opportunities digital transformation can provide, we are embracing change in a way that will shape sustainable development of our institutions, cities, and countries in the future,” he added. This is also aligned with the targets of?Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
The university, in partnership with the private company Siemens, is transforming its infrastructure using cutting edge technologies. To deliver the campus of the future, Siemens will evaluate a vast range of technologies several fields, resulting in enhanced student and visitor experience, research and teaching, industry engagement and carbon and operational cost reduction.
?
