Dynamic optimization of building performance: Use of real-time building data for improving facilities management

In this digital age many companies consider data as new oil. It also includes facilities management organizations. Facilities managers in many private and public organizations are interested in data sets on building characteristics, operation and maintenance activities, usage patterns, space management, energy management, asset management etc.

The research focus of this industrial PhD is to study how these different building data sets can be used and combined for improving total value of buildings, with special emphasis on environmental building performance from lifecycle perspective.

The project follows the implementation of Integrated Facilities Management System KMD Atrium in Danish Facilities Management organizations. The focus is on non-residential buildings from user- and facilities manager perspective. By studying the implementation effects of KMD Atrium, this industrial PhD develops a methodological basis and purpose-based software for simultaneous calculation of total value and environmental performance of non-residential buildings.

So far, a literature study has identified 8 indicator categories that should be considered when addressing environmental performance of building: Energy, GHG emissions, Water, Waste management, Land use, Building materials, Reuse/recycling potential and Indoor Environmental Quality. The study indicates that research is mainly focusing on energy and GHG emission related topics, while other environmental categories are not investigated sufficiently.

The next step of the project combines research and practice through various case studies in which environmental building performance of non-residential buildings will be studied. Case studies will investigate which environmental indicators are used in practice and why, and disclose how building data related to these indicators is collected, used and combined.