{"id":139762,"date":"2024-05-20T10:23:53","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=139762"},"modified":"2024-05-20T10:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:23:53","slug":"using-performance-digital-twin-decarbonise-centres-science-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/digital-construction-news\/using-performance-digital-twin-decarbonise-centres-science-innovation\/139762\/","title":{"rendered":"Using a performance digital twin to decarbonise our centres of science and innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Britain\u2019s universities are renowned for their research \u2013 but many of the buildings where academics work are inefficient and not fit for the future. A partnership between the University of Liverpool and global climate tech company IES has employed a performance digital twin to create a smarter campus<\/h2>\n

Many academic institutions in the UK are renowned for their prowess in the fields of research and innovation. But while many universities command leading positions when it comes to pioneering technologies, many of the buildings in which academics conduct their work often operate inefficiently and are not prepared for the changing environments we face in the future.<\/p>\n

According to the UK government, around 40% of the UK\u2019s carbon emissions are linked to the built environment<\/a>. This includes emissions linked to the heating of buildings and the energy they consume to support operations.<\/p>\n

University campuses span numerous buildings and significant square footage, therefore reducing their emissions would go some way to making an intervention. There is also an expectation from students. World-leading universities should be ahead of the curve when it comes to addressing their environmental impact.<\/p>\n

The challenge that many academic institutions face in decarbonising their premises is that research-intensive and highly populated buildings often consume large amounts of energy.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, many of our universities have a long heritage and feature historic buildings that can require significant renovation, which can be a costly undertaking.<\/p>\n

But the challenge extends far beyond historic architecture. Many period buildings built in the 1960s through to the 1990s also require extensive renovation and refurbishment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When it comes to investing in this type of work \u2013 which will be critical for futureproofing buildings amid a changing climate backdrop while supporting occupant wellbeing and a productive learning environment \u2013 implementing a strategy informed by the evidence is key. This is where digital twin technology<\/a> can help provide the answer.<\/p>\n

The University of Liverpool: Using data to drive towards smarter campus operations<\/h3>\n

This is an area where the University of Liverpool is leading the way, in a concerted effort to shift towards more sustainable campus operations. In a pioneering pilot project with IES, the University of Liverpool is utilising a Performance Digital Twin to better understand and optimise the performance of one of its main campus buildings.<\/p>\n

Among the key findings of the project were:<\/p>\n