Category: Intelligent Buildings and Smart Spaces,: Building Automation

VIA University

Aarhus, Denmark

Aerial view of VIA University Aarhus N Campus in Aarhus, Denmark

Challenges

  • Campus consolidation complexity - Needed to manage 18 sites across eight cities covering 238,000 square meters while consolidating from original 38 locations.
  • High costs with legacy vendors - Existing long-established vendors in Denmark were too expensive, requiring more cost-effective building management solution.
  • Energy efficiency mandate - Required better monitoring/control to achieve energy savings and meet 17 World Sustainable Development Goals commitment.

Results

  • Annual operational savings - Cost-effective GENESIS64 and PLC-based controllers delivering measurable year-over-year operational cost reductions.
  • Open standards flexibility - BACnet and OPC communications provide freedom to select future suppliers, avoiding vendor lock-in and reducing long-term costs.
  • Simplified multi-system integration - Single platform handles 50,000 tags, integrating alarms, fire detection, access control, UPS, cooling, and solar panels seamlessly.

“We have lowered operational costs by selecting GENESIS64 and PLC-based controllers for our Building Management System (BMS). We wanted open systems based on open standards and to have the freedom to select suppliers of our choice in the future. This is saving us money every year.”

— Anders Thorsen | VIA University Technical Manager

About VIA University

VIA University was established in Denmark in 2008 and was originally spread across 38 sites throughout the country. Today, the university has been consolidated to 18 sites in 8 cities. The university provides a variety of educational disciplines, including Business, Design, Movies/Animation, Education, Social Sciences, Healthcare and Technology and is a member of UNESCO-ASP (Associated Schools Project). Moreover, as a conscientious educational institution, VIA University works diligently to meet the 17 World Sustainable Development Goals. One such effort was the university’s decision to increase the energy and operating efficiency of its buildings and facilities.

“We have lowered operational costs by selecting GENESIS64 and PLC-based controllers for our Building Management System (BMS). We wanted open systems based on open standards and to have the freedom to select suppliers of our choice in the future. This is saving us money every year.”

— Anders Thorsen | VIA University Technical Manager
VIA University’s Aarhus N Campus Plan in GENESIS64 VIA University’s Aarhus N Campus Plan in GENESIS64

Project Summary

Over the past seven years, VIA University recognized its growth within Denmark, even as it sought to consolidate the number of campuses from 38 to 18 sites. Today, the school’s 18 sites are spread across 238,000 square meters, with a student population of 20,000 (14% which are international) and an additional population of 5,000 made up of teachers, technical personnel and more. As part of the simultaneous regrouping and expansion, the university began construction on new facilities, such as its Aarhus N campus, while considering new options for building management solutions.

VIA University required a software vendor that could provide a cost-effective, open building management solution for its Aarhus N (37,000 square meter) and Aarhus C (47,000 square meter) campuses. The primary project goals were to realize energy savings through better monitoring and control of the daily operations of the campus buildings and to ensure maximum occupant comfort, as the university believes that an assured optimized indoor climate for students is the best environment for learning. Minimizing operational cost was also a factor in the university’s decision. In accordance with the importance of optimized building operations, VIA University has developed its own building management user’s manual, revised once or twice a year, which is considered essential to optimal operations. With this in mind, the school sought a software vendor that would reduce complexity in operations, while ultimately reducing associated costs.

With the assistance of system integrator/design consultant EL:CON Bygningsautomatik, VIA University chose Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions for its software vendor. The school has extensive years of experience with other long-established vendors in Denmark but found these too costly for this project.

VIA University’s Aarhus N Campus Plan in GENESIS64 VIA University’s Aarhus N Campus Plan in GENESIS64
Scheduling Feature in GENESIS64 for VIA University Building Management Scheduling Feature in GENESIS64 for VIA University Building Management

Software Deployed

Working along EL:CON Bygningsautomatik, VIA University selected Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' GENESIS64™ HMI/SCADA suite, Hyper Historian, and AlarmWorX™64 Multimedia OPC alarm management software. In particular, the solutions are highlighted to the right along with the case study details.

Scheduling Feature in GENESIS64 for VIA University Building Management Scheduling Feature in GENESIS64 for VIA University Building Management
Ventilation Control Screen for VIA University’s Aarhus C Campus Ventilation Control Screen for VIA University’s Aarhus C Campus

Highlighted Solutions

  • GENESIS64™ - HMI/SCADA and Building Automation Suite
  • Hyper Historian™ - HMI/SCADA and Building Automation Suite
  • AlarmWorX™64 Multimedia - Multimedia OPC Alarm Management Software

Realized Benefits

GENESIS was selected for being more cost-effective and for its open system based on open standards. Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' GENESIS64 now connects to the university’s WAGO PLCs using OPC communications along with BACnet devices. The software provides interfaces with alarm system, fire detection, access control, UPS, and cooling systems, easily handling the school’s approximate 50,000 tags. By installing GENESIS, VIA University has noted annual operational savings in comparison to those before.

Ventilation Control Screen for VIA University’s Aarhus C Campus Ventilation Control Screen for VIA University’s Aarhus C Campus

Case Study Details

Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions' GENESIS solution for VIA University includes:

  • Building management for eight campuses
  • Reduction of operational costs
  • Reduction of management complexity
  • Open system based on open standards
  • OPC communications
  • BACnet communication
  • Integration with 3rd party systems
  • Interface with approximately 50,000 Tags

Conclusion

Since VIA University was pleased with the Aarhus N and Aarhus C campus rollouts, it expanded the number of sites using GENESIS. The university also has integration with solar panels as well as facility management within most other locations. Finally, with its cost-effectiveness and open standards-based solutions, Mitsubishi Electric Iconics Digital Solutions is pleased to have been graded so highly by VIA University.