PBSA energy management: Net zero strategies

As the final building needs to: 

• Be energy efficient in its design
• Use low carbon renewable technologies where possible
• Have been constructed to limit its embodied carbon content
• Minimise energy used to run the building to reduce operational carbon output

Controlling operational carbon is perhaps more challenging for the PBSA sector, as the building’s energy consumption is largely determined by the student behaviour, not the asset manager. 

Reducing energy consumption in PBSA would make a significant contribution to reducing operational carbon emissions. Data gathered from 537 further education and universities showed that over 2.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) associated with the institution’s use of fuel and electricity were emitted in 2020/21, representing 12% of the overall sector’s carbon footprint. With such a focus on the built environment’s carbon emissions, finding ways for the sector to become net zero carbon ready is front of mind. 

The challenge to reduce operational carbon is in recent years being met with the use of intelligent PBSA energy management systems. Most commonly used are panel heating management systems that monitor and remotely control heating systems to detect and reduce energy wastage. This cuts operational carbon in line with net zero strategies and lowers energy bills for PBSA asset managers at the same time.

Energy management systems and their impact on net zero carbon strategies is just one of many topics explored in the SmarterDM white paper ‘Intelligent heating solutions – reducing carbon emissions and energy costs for hotels and student accommodation’ that is available as a free download.

How can PBSA energy management systems reduce carbon and make a positive contribution to net zero strategies?

PBSA energy management systems give the asset manager remote control of the heating systems within student rooms. Therefore, when the rooms are unoccupied during the day as lectures are attended or in the evening when students leave for entertainment purposes, the heating output can be adjusted accordingly. This reduces energy wastage and the operational carbon emissions that are a key part of net zero strategies.

Remote control of heating systems is needed as students may not always think of turning down the thermostat when they leave the room. This is not a surprising mindset, as students pay a flat rate for the energy they use in their accommodation. This means that there are no additional charges for energy consumption and no financial incentive for saving energy. 

As well as the behaviour of the students, the effect of occupancy patterns on heating demand creates an opportunity for heating management systems to reduce energy waste. 

As well as short-term daily occupancy patterns, there are long-term patterns covering weeks at a time when rooms are left unoccupied between term times. This seasonal effect on student accommodation means that for around 16 weeks, or 30% of the year, the rooms do not require heating. The energy management system can ensure savings are made by only delivering the minimum level of heating required to prevent frost and mould damage during winter months.

For PBSA asset managers, the energy used for heating can be responsible for up to 70% of the running costs, so energy management systems can deliver considerable savings as well as reducing carbon emissions and improving the sustainability of the building. 

The drive to net zero has other benefits for PBSA providers. It improves the sustainability credentials of their brand and can make them more attractive to those potential student residents looking for more environmentally friendly accommodation.  Unite Students, the largest provider of student accommodation in the UK, have launched a pathway to net zero operations and development by 2030. This includes a target to reduce energy intensity by 28% by 2030 against a baseline set in 2019.

As more PBSA organisations embrace net zero carbon strategies, energy management systems will provide a tool to help achieve sustainability goals and deliver cost savings at the same time. 

GSA (Global Student Accommodation), the leader in real estate asset management within the student housing sector, fitted a SmarterDM energy management system. It delivered heating energy savings of 63% in occupied student areas and 86% in unoccupied areas. This resulted in an annual cost saving of £28K and meant that the SmarterDM solution provided would pay for itself in just over two years whilst contributing to a reduction in operational carbon for the asset. 

Where can find more information on PBSA energy management systems? 

More information on PBSA energy management systems can be found in the SmarterDM white paper ‘Intelligent heating solutions – reducing carbon emissions and energy costs for hotels and student accommodation.’

SmarterDM is an innovative UK based software and hardware development company that delivers intuitive systems for asset holders to help monitor, report, and manage data in real time. 

If you'd like to learn more about the sustainability benefits that a SmarterDM energy management system could bring to your PBSA asset, please contact us, and our expert team will be in touch to provide a free indicative energy saving calculation.