Redefining Efficiency in Large Building Operations
Peter, Project Manager at Siemens Advanta Development
The impact of lighting, room temperature, and fresh air on our overall well-being is enormous, yet we tend to ignore that these factors are key in boosting our productivity.
Change for the optimal
As a project manager specializing in building technology engineering, Peter, together with his team, is at the forefront of interior optimization for some of the most complex and modern buildings in Europe. His journey with Siemens Advanta Development led him to rediscover his passion for the tech world in Advanta’s Digital Delivery Center, where he has the privilege of working on world-renowned buildings like the Technical University in the Netherlands, airport terminals in Italy, and the Munch Museum in Oslo.
The science behind digital delivery centers
Imagine you are walking through an office building, a production hall, or a shopping mall. Inside, you will probably notice its lighting, air conditioning vents, blinds, and fire protection systems. What you might not see is Peter’s team working in the background to optimize energy efficiency and automation of these systems. Like most technologies, these systems require precise instructions on what to do and when. That's where Peter and his team’s expertise comes into play.
For this purpose, Siemens equips the buildings with multiple sensors scattered around the whole structure. The team then collects data such as temperature, humidity, or status of the ventilation systems from the sensors and uses it to optimize the building’´s functioning.
"We need input sensors and logic to decide when and what actions to take," he explains.
What’s the goal?
Operators of large buildings focus on two things in this area – ensuring the comfort of the people and reducing energy consumption costs. Equipped with a wealth of knowledge, Peter's team makes this possible. By simplifying building temperature control and automating blinds that close just before the sun hits the south side of the building, they can reduce the load on air conditioning systems, lower costs, and increase employee comfort and productivity.
Everything is remote
One undeniable advantage of Siemens sensors is their ability to be remotely controlled. The team can be thousands of kilometers away from a building equipped with sensors and still monitor the situation inside.
I remember how we noticed the missing daily water distribution heating process, crucial to reaching 75°C to eliminate pathogenic bacteria in the system. The company only performed this process once a month, which was not optimal. We acted immediately to protect the health of the building.
In another case, a client's building had a damaged valve that caused the temperature to rise, triggering the air conditioning to turn on. This situation led to simultaneous heating and cooling, resulting in significant energy costs to the operator. Luckily, detailed data analysis allowed them to identify the problem and prevent unwanted financial losses.
"Thanks to our technologies, we can detect problems that the operator would normally overlook," says Peter, underscoring the importance of cooperation with clients.
The true strength of the sensors comes from their ability to predict when a device's performance is decreasing or nearing the end of its useful life. That way, the team eliminates complete system failures, which are bound to cause production stoppages and significant financial losses. “We are moving maintenance costs from reactive to predictive and can achieve significant cost savings while reducing CO2 emissions while saving energy," says Peter, explaining how they make buildings more ecological.
Outside the office
In addition to working in the building systems niche, Peter is also engaged in other non-technical areas, especially wakeboarding. “I'm drawn to the unique blend of physical and endurance challenges that provide a refreshing contrast to our largely sedentary jobs,” he says. Peter particularly enjoys the autumn months, which require him to wear wetsuits until early December, marking the end of the wakeboarding season. His drive for adventure, movement, and efficiency are all traits he loves to apply to everything he does.
