AN all-Glasgow collaboration is aiming to develop and internet of things (IoT) building system which would reduce energy use and improve the operation of buildings.

The knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) is the second undertaken by PropTech firm arbnco and the University of Strathclyde’s Energy Systems Research Unit (ESRU). It will primarily involve developing an IoT system to help reduce building energy use and improve maintenance with a comprehensive building management system.

This will need the deployment of sensors, or use of existing sensors, to collect building data. Cloud-based software will process data from the sensors to the cloud giving users real-time data on energy use.

It is being developed in Glasgow and piloted across the city, including a number of Strathclyde University buildings.

Agnieszka Bachleda-Baca, arbnco’s KTP associate, who will lead the project, said: “One of the main issues identified with current technologies is that the raw data collected by sensors is often of limited use on its own, and has the potential to be overwhelming in its quantity.

“A goal of the project will therefore be applying the right rules and techniques in order to extract the right meaning for the user, and prevent the important information from being lost or unintentionally overlooked. There is no generic solution for every building; each building and each facility manager has different requirements.

“Consequently, the partnership will heavily involve the end users in the software development, putting an emphasis on incremental development.”

The system will target an end-user base of building owners and operators, such as facilities managers or real estate investment trusts.

READ MORE: Arbnco IoT energy tracking devices currently in testing phase

It aims to provide real-time building operation insights through a centralised dashboard that will help reduce energy use and improve the management of equipment.

ESRU director, Professor Joe Clarke, said: “The present KTP will build on past achievements by establishing a building management product based on the Internet of Things concept, which is able to provide real-time notification of issues and make available essential data to support decision-making.”

He added: “An important aspect of the new project is the involvement of end users as a means to ensure the applicability of the envisaged estate management product.”