IoT solution for energy management and efficiency on a Brazilian university campus – a case study

• Published in: International journal of sustainability in higher education 2023-01, Vol.24 (2), p.426-448
• Main Authors: Yasuoka, Jorge, Cordeiro, Gabrielly Araújo, Brittes, José Luiz Pereira, Cooper Ordóñez, Robert Eduardo, Bajay, Sergio Valdir, Nunes, Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air conditioning; Campuses; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide emissions; Case studies; Climate change; Climate Control; College campuses; College Students; Colleges & universities; Cost benefit analysis; Cost Effectiveness; Design; Economic analysis; Education; Efficiency; Electricity; Electricity consumption; Emissions; Employment; Energy Conservation; Energy consumption; Energy efficiency; Energy industry; Energy management; Evaluation; Experiential Learning; Food waste; Foreign Countries; Hardware; Higher Education; Internet; Internet of Things; Knowledge sharing; Learning Processes; Lighting; Natural resources; Pollution; R&D; Research & development; Sanitation; Society; Software development; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Teaching Methods; Universities
• ISSN: 1467-6370; 1758-6739; 1467-6370
• DOI: 10.1108/IJSHE-08-2021-0354

Purpose There is a great interest in developing eco-friendly operations as alternative uses of resources in the university campus, making the employment of technologies more sustainable. Practices such as energy management and efficiency initiatives have been encouraged to meet these sustainability goals. The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss the main features of the GENIIOT project, a system of energy management using Internet of Things applied in a Brazilian university campus to support energy education practices and to promote lasting energy efficiency measures. The focus of the study is directed at the energy consumption of the air-conditioning system, which is responsible for 40% of the total electricity consumption. In addition, this project also scrutinizes processes such as the building occupants’ comfort demands, lighting levels and energy waste control. Design/methodology/approach A case study at the Unicamp campus was conducted to illustrate the design procedures through qualitative description. This study comprises an overview of the physical plant, hardware and software development, energy data monitoring, management process and energy education. Findings The GENIIOT project enables energy efficiency actions by concerning the use of air-conditioning equipment based on monitored data, different types of monitored rooms, user’s behaviors and their feedback. This initiative requires the engagement, awareness and actions from users combined with investment in energy efficiency to achieve an efficient use of this type of equipment. The proposed approach can be applied in the future to similar situations, inside the Unicamp campus and at other university campuses. In addition, this project can contribute to building efficiency analysis by using the hardware structure developed to monitor facilities and carry out evaluations, providing valuable information for strategic initiatives in energy efficiency projects and research and development programs based on practical experience and promoting a discussion about sustainability aspects in the context of the university campus for energy efficiency. Originality/value The GENIIOT project is aligned with some of the sustainable development goals, among which sustainability and responsible consumption are identified. Considering the sustainability issues, the economic dimension can be evaluated through a cost–benefit analysis of energy efficiency projects with prudent investment, while the soc