Schneider Electric funds development of Ryerson smart buildings lab
March 6, 2018 | By Jillian Morgan
(Left to right) Adrian Thomas (vice president, Buildings, Schneider Electric), Tom Duever (dean, Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Ryerson University), Jenn McArthur (assistant professor, Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University), Juan Macias (senior vice president Digital Energy Solutions/Prosumer, Schneider Electric), Lachemi, Steven Liss (vice president, Research and Innovation, Ryerson University), Ian Mishkel (vice-president, University Advancement and Alumni Relations, Ryerson University), Alan Fung (associate professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Ryerson University) and Bala Venkatesh (academic director, Centre for Urban Energy, Ryerson University)
Schneider Electric Canada will donate $1 million in kind to design and build a smart buildings laboratory at Ryerson University in Toronto, ON.
The Smart Building Analytics Living Laboratory will be the first of its kind in Canada, intended to demonstrate energy savings for buildings of all sizes.
Students in the university’s engineering, architectural science and computer and data science programs will use the lab to develop building management technology.
The lab aims to improve understanding of the latest HVAC systems, as well as optimization of existing HVAC systems. It will also tackle the role of new data analytics algorithms, predictive models and machine learning in real-time building performance improvements.
From the facility, Ryerson will connect to building control systems using Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Building management software platform.
“Using the latest data analytics and IoT technologies, it will help them understand energy use in buildings like never before,” says Mohamed Lachemi, president and vice-chancellor of Ryerson University. “The lab will become a powerful tool in helping to reduce energy use in urban areas and combat climate change.”
The lab will be located at Ryerson’s 111 Bond St. building in Toronto, ON and is expected to open late 2019. www.schneider-electric.ca www.ryerson.ca
