Page 592 - Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

Case Study: University of California, Irvine Chapter j 28 559

comprehensive suite of software and sensors, UCI was able to demonstrate that
50% savings and more were, indeed, possible, without compromising occupant
safety. The staff at the 52-year-old institution continue to improve on these
findings and have since concluded that the “information layer” enabled by new
sensors and software is just as important as the building control systems.
And people are just as key. A new generation of “digital savvy” trades-
people is increasingly essential to keep smart buildings smart. UCI has part-
nered with the State Employees Trades Council-United and Irvine Valley
College to establish a rigorous apprenticeship program for next-generation and
career technicians responsible for maintaining the increasingly complex
computer-based systems in today’s energy-efficient buildings.
Finally, there are a number of cobenefits to smart lab design: Many heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning deferred maintenance problems are fixed and
funded through energy savings. The availability of sophisticated information
layers provides real-time commissioning and air quality control; the result is
cleaner indoor air. Lighting quality has improved. Buildings are quieter inside
and out. There is a longer service life for heat-producing and friction-
producing building system components, and the resulting energy savings
have eliminated the need for capital investments for generation, central plant
chillers, and other infrastructure.
UCI Office of Sustainability.