ABB smart building scheme boosts Manchester Metropolitan University

ABB smart building scheme boosts Manchester Metropolitan University

ECA Commercial Associate ABB has helped Manchester Metropolitan University secure a top sustainability rating, using its smart building scheme.

Learn more about the scheme below, and learn more about ECA Commercial Associate membership here.

Manchester Metropolitan University is reinforcing its position at the forefront of sustainability with smart building technology. Its new Grosvenor East building is set to inspire upcoming generations of actors, journalists, writers and linguists.

When it completed the new home for its Faculty of Arts and Humanities in 2020, Manchester Metropolitan University achieved a productive, comfortable and safe working environment. The building also integrates a smart building system capable of providing real-time access to data to support energy efficiency while minimising operational and maintenance costs.

Commenting on the project, Dean Reddy, ABB’s UK Product Marketing Specialist for Building Automation UK said: “The Grosvenor East building is an important new landmark in Manchester and one of first within Manchester Metropolitan University to use the new ABB Cylon® ASPECT® so it was positive to see its deployment was smooth. This is important as the smart building control system is one of the final work packages in any commercial building project.”

Vice-chancellor Prof Malcolm Press commented: “Sustainability forms an integral part of everything that we do, from our teaching and research to the way that we build and use our campus. We know the environment is one of the top concerns for people of all ages.”

Its carbon management plan sets out the university’s strategy to cut emissions by 44% – or 5,051 tonnes of CO₂ – between 2020 and 2026. This includes initiatives to boost energy efficiency and invest in new efficient buildings. For example, the new Grosvenor East building has been certified as excellent under the UK’s Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

“We use energy efficiency and flexible infrastructure to attract students by showing them that we are serious about sustainability,” said Peter Fallon, Chief Engineer at Manchester Metropolitan University. “This relies on web-based technology so that our technicians have access to control and monitor systems wherever they are on campus.”