Technical Innovation of the Year – Projects
Sponsored by 
BAS and Abtec – The Crystal Building, Royal Victoria Docks
The Crystal is a new building situation in the centre of London’s new Green Enterprise District at Royal Victoria Docks. Designed as an all-electric building The Crystal demonstrates a number of innovative sustainable technologies. The BEMS controls the whole building to ensure it operates in the most energy-efficient manner. This includes demand-based control of rooms based on occupancy. Meters are integrated into the BEMS which uses native BACnet communications which ensures future-proofing.
Carrier Controls and Automated Logic – The Shard of Glass, London
The primary challenge for the building controls element of this project was monitoring and integration between numerous third party systems. The system uses the BACnet protocol throughout the building, with integration to the third party systems through Automated Logic’s WebCTRL LGR devices. The system can be accessed securely using a Web browser, eliminating the need for dedicated software on users’ PCs and laptops.
Distech Controls – Renfrewshire Schools
A new BEMS from Distech Controls is helping Renfrewshire Council reduce fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions at four schools. Glasgow-based Advanced Energy Management Services (AEMS) worked on the project and they specified the Distech EC-NetAX web-based integrated building management platform. Converging with the schools’ IT network, EC-NetAX allows secure Web browser access to the system from anywhere with the school environment. There are also interfaces which school pupils can observe so that they can learn about energy use and conservation.
Electrical & Mechanical Controls (EMC) – Broadwater Farm Inclusive Learning Campus, Tottenham
Broadwater Farm is an £18 million development incorporating two schools for mainstream and special needs students. EMC installed building controls from Priva Building Intelligence. Broadwater is anticipating a 60% reduction in CO2 with projected energy savings of 10% per pupil. Energy bills are minimised by incorporating automatic switch-off of all devices, and dedicated M-Bus meters to improve the visibility of energy being used. There is also a touch-screen where pupils can request information about the temperature and also see videos on energy conservation and how building controls work.
RAO Controls – Pre-paid Electricity Infrastructure in East Riding of Yorkshire Council Traveller Sites
The council has to ensure that electricity is independently supplied and metered on each of the traveller pitches in their sites. The challenge was remotely monitoring billing data and energy consumption while not affecting accessibility by the traveller community. The solution was to provide pre-paid meters that are connected to a wide area energy monitoring network. RAO Controls designed and installed a system based on Honeywell NiagaraAX technology. The system utilises Lon and wide area networks to provide users with easy 24-hour access to electricity, but also enables accurate remote monitoring.
RSP Consulting Engineers – University of St Andrews BMS Annex
The university promotes pioneering activity in science and medicine in its dedicated laboratory complex. The client wanted to create a more sustainable servicing solution for laboratories, and develop a model for the construction of future laboratories. The building achieved Scotland’s first BREEAM Outstanding certification as well as being awarded BREEAM’s first Outstanding Laboratory. RSP produced in-depth plant performance analysis that allowed fine-tuning of controls. Plant zoning has allowed for improved maintainability and future refitting of laboratories. A combination of simple controls solutions, user control and unobtrusive automation has been applied.
