VTT: Remote management technology to bring 15 per cent reduction in energy consumption at Otaniemi

VTT, Samsung and 10,000 data points are implementing the Otaniemi ecocampus project

VTT and Samsung C&T Corporation are developing remote management technology and services for buildings in the Otaniemi campus area. A pilot project consisting of a hundred buildings is under way, collecting measurement data on energy consumption and indoor conditions from approximately 10,000 data points. The goal is to demonstrate that energy consumption in campus buildings can be reduced by 15% using the new technology. Knowledge and other platforms are built at the same time, for use in long-term development work aimed at an emission-free campus entirely self-sufficient in energy.

“Our goal seems within reach. The project is now half completed, with several locations already averaging 15% energy savings, though it still needs another few years of follow-up to confirm the system’s effectiveness,” says Janne Peltonen.

VTT has built a monitoring system in the Otaniemi campus area, collecting data on electricity, heat and water consumption of buildings, and on the temperatures, carbon dioxide concentrations, humidity, lighting intensity and electrical loads in the facilities. The campus community is an excellent living-lab environment for the research.

The measurement data is transferred in real time from approximately 10,000 data points to the on-campus VTT and Korea Telecom remote management system. One hundred buildings are being monitored, ten of which are pilot sites in which the measurement focus is on indoor conditions and energy saving.

Daily monitoring of the building allows for quick intervention in problem areas. The timing of energy-intensive ventilation equipment, for example, can in future be changed according to the number of people using the facilities at any given time.

The monitoring system changes the measurement data into information that employees in the office buildings and student housing residents can follow by means of mobile applications developed by VTT, KETI and Samsung. These applications provide information on indoor conditions, and also serve as a channel for feedback to property maintenance companies and owners.  

The project is furthest advanced in the student residences at Otaranta 8, where the mobile applications are in use. Residents can follow electricity consumption and indoor air conditions, receiving information on their use of household appliances, for example. Increased knowledge and use of monitoring technology has resulted in electricity consumption being cut in half at some locations.

The project started a year ago and ends in June 2014. VTT and Samsung are presently planning a follow-up project. In addition to energy savings, the goal is to improve indoor conditions and activate users to take independent initiative in achieving energy savings.

Export opportunities open up for the products and services of Finnish companies in the Korea Micro Energy Grid network, in which VTT participates as a member. “We are bringing Finnish small and medium-size companies together in an export ring to find suitable partners in South Korea,” says Peltonen.

An estimated 15−20% unused energy savings potential is thought to exist in the building stock owned by Finnish municipalities. According to Janne Peltonen, the collaboration with Samsung offers VTT and Finland an opportunity to transfer the latest real estate technology to Finland.

For more information, please contact:

Janne Peltonen
Senior Scientist
janne.peltonen@vtt.fi
tel.+358 20 722 4939

Jorma Pietiläinen
Senior Scientist
jorma.pietilainen@vtt.fi
tel. +358 20 722 6275

Further information on VTT:
Sakari Sohlberg, Manager, External Communications
Tel. 358 20 722 6744
sakari.sohlberg@vtt.fi
www.vtt.fi

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a leading multitechnological applied research organization in Northern Europe. VTT creates new technology and science-based innovations in co-operation with domestic and foreign partners. Every third Finnish technology innovation contains VTT expertise. VTT’s turnover is EUR 290 million and its personnel totals 3,100.

Tags: