Executive Summary:
Aberdeen Standard Investments (Abdrn) partnered with KJ Tait Engineers to trial EcoAI’s innovative BMS autonomous optimisation software at One Trinity Gardens, a 14,500m² office building in Newcastle.
myCoreAI, powered by advanced algorithms, achieved significant energy savings and enhanced the working environment.
The project, initiated in November 2019, involved optimising HVAC systems with a payback period of less than 12 months. The initial assessment guaranteed an ROI of 1.8 years, showcasing the effectiveness of autonomous optimisation to save on energy costs.
Client Background:
- Client: Aberdeen Standard Investments (Abdrn)
- Project Partner: KJ Tait Engineers
- Location: One Trinity Gardens, Newcastle
- Installation date: November 2019
- Construction: Mostly Glass
- Building: 14,500 m² Multi-let Office Building
Background:
Aberdeen Standard Investments, in collaboration with KJ Tait Engineers, aimed to integrate ESG principles into its real estate management. They chose One Trinity Gardens, a well-performing building in terms of energy efficiency, to trial EcoAI’s BMS optimisation software.
One Trinity Gardens is a 14,500m² multi-let office building managed by JLL. Engie provides Building Management System (BMS) services. It was already a well-performing building for energy efficiency, outperforming the REEB good practice benchmark for electricity consumption and typical practice benchmark for gas consumption. It has the potential to achieve the UK GBC target of 70kWh per m² by 2025.
“We welcome the success of the EcoAI trial in increasing efficiency and improving the working environment. We look forward to further progress in these important areas.”
Dan Grandage – Head of ESG Real Estate at Aberdeen Standard Investment
Solution Provided:
The solution focused on coordinating the HVAC systems to work together more efficiently, leveraging the building’s thermal storage capacity and integrating weather forecast data to optimise operations.
Implementation Process:
- November 2019: Integration began
- December 2019: Energy optimisation commenced
myCoreAI operates autonomously, sending optimised signals to the BMS every 15 minutes, ensuring minimal energy use while maintaining comfort.
Results Achieved:
The implementation exceeded expectations, delivering substantial energy savings:
- Electricity Savings:4% (against a 9% target)
- Gas Savings: 29% (against a 22% target)
- Energy Saved: 710 MWh
- CO2 Reduction:5 tonnes
- Cost Savings: £68,943
Testimonials:
M&E Contractor’s Perspective:
“KJ Tait has been working with Standard Life Investments (Abdrn) for the past decade to reduce energy consumption across their portfolio; together we have a target of a 2% reduction in energy consumption each year from a baseline of 2009. Having completed many of the easy wins, including behavioural changes and capital investment, we have been on the lookout for innovative technologies, particularly around a building’s BMS system, which can be overlooked when it comes to energy savings. Together with the benefits to the occupants, EcoAI has the potential to save a significant amount of energy both across electricity and gas within a short payback. The added bonus being that the savings are guaranteed over the lifetime of the payback.”
Paul Miller – Energy & Environmental Engineer
Client’s Perspective:
“At Aberdeen Standard Investments, we are committed to help tackling climate change – for our clients, shareholders and the generations to come. We recognise that buildings, by their nature, have a direct impact on the environment – from the carbon footprint of bricks, concrete and steel, to energy use in operations. We welcome the success of the EcoAI trial in increasing efficiency and improving the working environment. We look forward to further progress in these important areas.”
Dan Grandage – Head of ESG Real Estate at Aberdeen Standard Investment
Conclusion:
The successful trial at One Trinity Gardens has demonstrated the significant benefits of using AI-driven BMS optimisation. Following this success, plans are underway to roll out EcoAI solutions in additional locations.
In addition to the automatic savings, a system review was conducted for the installation following the solution integration. The report highlighted several additional energy-saving measures, including fixing air temperature and pressure sensors, investigating underfloor heating and cooling control setpoints, and supplying airflow switches. The most significant energy-saving measure identified was with the chiller, cycling on and off 24/7 due to faulty FCU controllers and actuators overheating spaces.
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