Cardiff Metropolitan University wins Delivering Sustainability with Digital Innovation at the Digital Construction Awards

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s estate relied on standard automated meter reading (AMR) data, which showed a large amount of energy was being consumed when buildings were virtually empty. With mounting financial and net‑zero pressures, the university needed an immediate, low‑cost way to cut out‑of‑hours energy use without impacting comfort, teaching, research or residential life.

Existing BMS controls were in place, but underused. On top of that, estate teams had been conditioned to avoid criticism, making organisational culture the biggest challenge.

The team adopted a ‘see‑act‑prove’ cycle, using only the data and controls already available. AMR data was analysed in lightweight Excel models to rank buildings by total and out‑of‑hours consumption. Visualisations highlighted the worst performers.

An energy manager then reset BMS schedules, fixed rogue timers, recalibrated setpoints, recommissioned drifted plant, cleaned filters and tightened domestic hot‑water regimes – all low‑ or no‑cost measures.

Changes were verified instantly against the same AMR feed, allowing rapid iteration and ensuring daytime comfort remained unchanged. The approach avoided any capital‑intensive upgrades, relying solely on existing meters, BMS and simple analytics.