USING INTERNET OF THINGS TO STUDY THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND ENERGY SAVINGS OF A CAMPUS

Abstract

After the launch of Smart Nation in 2014, Singapore has drafted out its master plan to become the world’s first Smart Nation. Buildings are adopting a coherent and comprehensive approach in its technology. Singapore’s definition of Smart Buildings has evolved from a paradigm shift from the traditional technology-oriented approach to a user-oriented approach. Smart buildings are witnessing the dawn of the Internet of Things (IoT) whereby machines are communicating with machines to accomplish tasks without human intervention. Singapore is striving towards the direction of making buildings “Smart” with the emergence of IoT system to improve building occupants’ comfort and to increase energy efficiency. Unfortunately, the research topic of Smart Campus in Singapore is at the infancy stage hence this paper seeks to study the application of IoT system to measure and analyse the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and energy savings within Singapore campus. Quantitative and qualitative data were collated by objective measurement through IoT devices and subjective measurement through the survey questionnaires and interviews. Firstly, it was found that the IEQ of the computer room in National University of Singapore (NUS) is acceptable based on Singapore standards. Secondly, the occupants are satisfied and comfortable with the environment. Lastly, there is a potential energy savings while placing occupants’ comfort as the primary goal is achieved. In conclusion, the results obtained from this study can provide advocacies to the school’s Facility Management to improve the existing IEQ and to enhance energy savings strategy. Hence, this paper deals with the issue of achieving comfort in campus with minimal energy consumption with the application of IoT system.