A truly smart campus with a top-tier energy management program
How can the chemical industry reduce resource usage sustainably while enhancing reliability, safety, and security? The answer lies in a trusted partner who understands your industry’s unique challenges.Siemens Xcelerator bridges the real and digital worlds, delivering comprehensive solutions and services for buildings, power grid infrastructure, and production operations.Paving the way towards a smarter, more efficient campus
In 2017, SMU began its initiative to build a smarter and more efficient campus. The university set out to enhance the experience of students, faculty, and staff, significantly improve energy management, and strengthen system reliability. At the same time, SMU aimed to tackle deferred maintenance and lower both operating and maintenance costs.
reduction in utility costs per square foot
Since launching the energy management program, SMU has achieved its goals despite adding 167,000 gross square feet of new facilities and experiencing a 20% increase in enrollment.
improvement in maintenance staff productivity
By transitioning campus-wide from reactive to predictive maintenance with Building X, SMU can prioritize maintenance tasks more accurately, prevent critical equipment failures, and extend the life of its assets.
savings in the first five years
Leveraging the Desigo® CC building management system, Demand Flow® chilled water optimization, and advanced automation programming, SMU has achieved 29,000,000 kWh in energy savings over the first five years, resulting in substantially reduced energy costs.
Impressive performance plus energy and operational savings powered by Siemens Xcelerator
Siemens helped SMU develop a strategic roadmap to realize its vision, encompassing upgrades to critical infrastructure, investments in data collection, and enhanced campus-wide controls and building management systems. Additional efficiencies are achieved through data-driven analytics, remote monitoring, and proactive troubleshooting. On average, SMU has saved $2.5 million annually through its energy management program, while also improving campus comfort and system reliability. Furthermore, a natural gas and electricity hedging program has safeguarded the university against price volatility and extreme weather, ensuring budget stability.
Across the campus, more than 12,000 measuring components provide real-time alerts when issues arise or are about to occur. These problems can often be resolved remotely, eliminating the need for on-site service calls.
Michael Molina – Vice President, Office of Facilities Planning & Management – University Architect, Southern Methodist University
A smart campus with a sustainable financial model
Comprehensive energy management plus efficient maintenance programs
With the goal of operating as a more efficient smart campus, SMU implemented data-driven energy management and maintenance programs. These initiatives leverage an integrated campus management system, supported by comprehensive submetering and sensor networks. Siemens, together with the SMU facilities team, now oversees operations and maintenance across building automation, the central utility plant, fire and life safety, and security/access systems. This approach allows SMU to allocate resources more effectively while benefiting from a sustainable financial model that supports the university’s long-term priorities and growth.
Elevating performance and efficiency
By partnering with Siemens to develop a strategic roadmap, SMU has realized its vision of a smart campus one that maximizes the value of infrastructure investments while fostering continuous improvement. Through Siemens’ building and energy management technologies, the university has established a leading energy management program.
Infrastructure modernization and digitalization, powered by Xcelerator
In addition to constructing a new central plant, SMU modernized its campus control systems. Comprehensive metering and sensor networks now capture real-time data, enabling higher levels of automation and digitalization for actionable, data-driven insights. Key upgrades include:
Implementation of the Desigo® CC building management system with standardized sequences of operations for building and mechanical systems
Replacement of aging air handling units and other outdated mechanical equipment
Deployment of Demand Flow® chilled water optimization technology
Data-driven maintenance improves staff productivity and optimizes performance
Campus-Wide Monitoring: Building X enables rapid identification of issues, ensuring efficient and timely maintenance.
Real-Time Insights: The Building X Operations Manager provides on-the-go access to critical data for informed decision-making.
Advanced Automation & Analytics: Continuous optimization of operations and performance through intelligent analytics.
Remote Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Quick issue resolution without delays, improving overall operational efficiency.
Strategic Energy Management with Measurable Benefits
SMU’s comprehensive energy management program not only streamlines operations and maintenance but also enhances system reliability and extends equipment lifecycles.
Key Components:
- Remote & Cloud-Based Monitoring: Real-time performance tracking and analytics enable fast, efficient troubleshooting—without dispatching a service truck.
- Energy Supply Strategy & Risk Management: A proactive approach to energy procurement, hedging, and budget risk management shields the university from price volatility and extreme weather events, providing cost predictability and stability in a region prone to brownouts.
A powerful synergy of technologies and solutions
At SMU, a seamless integration of advanced technologies and solutions works together to boost system reliability, optimize energy use, lower operating and maintenance costs, and enhance the overall campus experience.
Optimize your building's energy efficiency and gain control of your costs
We help you optimize building energy efficiency without sacrificing occupant comfort. Through a systematic, lifecycle-based approach supported by IoT-enabled technologies, we accelerate your path toward achieving your decarbonization goals.
Embark on the smart campus journey with us
Do you have bold goals for your higher education institution and a vision for a truly smart campus? Connect with our experts to explore how an ongoing partnership can help you deliver exceptional educational experiences.
Together, we can unlock new opportunities to foster a culture of innovation, performance, and operational efficiency across your institution. We look forward to partnering with you.
