Smart Campus: Six Key Upgrades for Full Environmental Monitoring, Energy Efficiency, and Safety
Many campuses with aging lighting and HVAC systems struggle with frequent failures and limited monitoring, leading to difficult management and higher energy costs. To address these challenges, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages partnered with ICP DAS. Through step-by-step upgrades aligned with the needs and the budget, a single control system has evolved into a comprehensive campus-wide solution, moving Wenzao toward a smarter campus.
Proven Reliability: Typhoon Krathon, with heavy rain and gusts reaching force 17 that toppled thousands of roadside trees, wreaked havoc across the region. Yet the ICP DAS iKAN-124-IP65 Industrial LED Display continued to operate smoothly, once again proving the robustness and reliability of ICP DAS products.
Key Challenges
Before implementing its smart campus system, the university faced several challenges:
- Difficulty in environmental control and system integration:
- Only some classrooms were equipped with lighting and HVAC control systems, while the rest had no control at all.
- Earlier systems were limited to standalone operation and were difficult to integrate. Years of use led to frequent malfunctions, adding to management difficulties.
- Inefficient meeting room management:
- Staff had to manually change the door sign to update room status.
- There was no real-time indoor air quality monitoring (e.g., temperature and humidity).
- Campus safety concerns:
- The counseling office required emergency call systems to ensure staff safety.
- The university archives, which housed valuable artworks, urgently needed an intrusion alarm system to prevent theft.
- Lack of energy monitoring:
- The office lacked a power monitoring system, and the HVAC relied solely on traditional timer relays for control. This resulted in inaccurate scheduling and no visibility of actual energy usage.
- Unreliable parking information:
- The existing parking space counting system often failed to provide an accurate number of available spaces.
ICP DAS Smart Retrofit Solution
Six major systems are deployed across the campus in phases, each using ICP DAS WISE Series controllers or PMC Series power meter concentrators for on-site logic control.
To ensure that critical information is delivered in real time, the university also added a push-notification function. ICP DAS adopts the WISE-2241M Edge Controller, which collects campus-wide data through LAN Port 1 and connects to the external network through LAN Port 2, enabling real-time delivery of alerts and important messages.
- Classroom Lighting and HVAC System Control
The existing card-based classroom control system, using a third-party controller that frequently malfunctioned and incurred high costs, led the university to commission ICP DAS to design an alternative solution.
- Centralized Areas (Unified Monitoring):
For areas with a cluster of classrooms, the university aims for unified monitoring. ICP DAS deploys the WISE-2241M Edge Controller, along with ET-7060 Ethernet I/O modules on each floor, to replace the existing controllers. The system now centrally manages lighting, HVAC, and fan control across 36 classrooms on 7 floors. - Scattered Areas (Independent Operation):
For areas with scattered or isolated classrooms, such as culinary rooms, the WISE-7560M Intelligent MQTT I/O Module is used to ensure independent system operation and reliable control.
- Meeting Room Environmental Monitoring
To safeguard the health of faculty and students and improve administrative efficiency, the system is designed as follows:
- Environmental and Air Quality Monitoring:
CL-202-E industrial sensor modules are deployed to measure CO2, temperature, and humidity, with data recorded and monitored by the WISE-5231 Edge Controller. - Information Display and Digital Door Signs:
iKAN-208 industrial LED displays are installed outside each meeting room across the administration building, Wenyuan, and Zhishan Hall. They display monitored environmental data (e.g., CO2 levels) in real time and show meeting room status, eliminating the need to manually change door signs.
- Wireless Emergency Call System
Counseling services are provided to university students. To ensure the safety of counselors during sessions, the following system is implemented:
- SOS Signal Transmission:
In the event of an emergency, counselors can immediately press the iSOS-800-PT Handheld Emergency Call Button Module. The signal is transmitted via the sub-1G RF communication interface to the iWSN-200E Data Concentrator. - Alarm Triggering and Notification:
When the WISE-5231 Edge Controller detects an SOS signal, it sends Modbus TCP commands to the ET-7060 Ethernet I/O Module to instantly trigger the alarm. The information is simultaneously relayed to the guardhouse and faculty office, ensuring timely support for the counselor.
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University Archive Intrusion Alarm System
To prevent the theft of valuable artworks donated by alumni, the system needs to support intrusion detection and real-time alerts during non-opening hours.
- Intrusion Detection:
Infrared sensors are installed near the windows, and the WISE-2241M Edge Controller works together with the M-7051D 16-ch Isolated DI Module to receive the sensor signals. - Image and Notification:
Using IF-THEN-ELSE logic rules, the WISE controller triggers the iCAM-ZMR8422X IR Bullet IP Camera to automatically take photos. The WISE-2241M then sends the images to the management staff via LINE in real time.
- Office HVAC Power Monitoring
In the past, the HVAC relied solely on traditional timer relays for control, making it impossible to accurately monitor power usage.
- Comprehensive Monitoring:
ICP DAS energy management solution is implemented, using the PMC-5231 Power Meter Concentrator, 14 smart power meters, and 5 NS-205A Ethernet switches. The system provides complete monitoring of power consumption across all office circuits. - Scheduling and Control:
The digital outputs of the smart meters replace the existing timer relays. Combined with the PMC-5231’s scheduling function, the system enables automated HVAC scheduling and control. - Accurate Data:
Using clip-on current transformers, the system accurately acquires real-time current and power data, helping management maintain a clear view of HVAC operation status.
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Underground Parking Space Counting and Environmental Control Integration
The aging counting system, which frequently malfunctioned, was replaced and simultaneously integrated with the ventilation system to optimize air quality.
- Parking Space Detection:
An iSN-301H 1-ch rangefinder module is installed above each of the 30 parking spaces and employs time-of-flight (ToF) technology for non-contact distance measurement. The WISE-5231 edge controller, configured with logic rules, automatically determines whether a space is occupied (unoccupied: 260–270 cm; occupied: <230 cm).
- Information Display:
The WISE-5231 collects and updates parking data in real time. It connects to the iKAN-124-IP65 industrial LED display at the entrance to show the number of available spaces, allowing drivers to quickly grasp the parking status. - Environmental Control Integration:
The WISE-5231 integrates with the CL-203-E Industrial Sensor to continuously monitor CO and CO2 levels. When the readings reach a preset threshold, the system sends Modbus TCP commands to the MDC-714 Modbus Data Concentrator or the tGW-715 Modbus Gateway. Together with the tM-PD3R3 Power Relay Module, the system automatically controls the operation of exhaust fans to maintain safe air quality within the parking facility.
The parking space count, individual space status, iSN-301H module operating status, and the information currently shown on the iKAN LED display can all be configured and managed through the WISE controller.
Learn more about the complete WISE controller series:
https://www.icpdas.com/en/product/guide+IIoT+Controller_Server+Edge__Controller#2756
Tangible Benefits
- Effortless System Upgrades with Cost Savings:
When upgrading existing lighting and HVAC systems, the original wiring can simply be connected to ICP DAS modules, eliminating the need for rewiring or construction operations. This enables unified equipment control while achieving significant time and cost savings. - Noticeable Reduction in Electricity Costs:
With trend charts, power consumption data, and historical reports provided by the PMC Series, the university can fully monitor HVAC usage. The PMC Series smart power meters replace traditional timer relays, and combined with the PMC Series scheduling function, enable precise scheduling and automated control. This effectively reduces energy consumption and electricity costs. - Efficient Video Surveillance with Reduced Load:
The WISE solution uses the controller’s built-in IF-THEN-ELSE rules to drive the iCAM IP cameras, enabling two-way interaction between I/O devices and cameras. The system records only key images, greatly reducing memory usage, and links I/O events (e.g., door or window openings) with the corresponding footage for easy future reference. - Flexible and Scalable System:
The WISE-5231 Edge Controller can connect to only a limited number of Modbus RTU modules. Deploying the MDC-714 Modbus Data Concentrator increases the number of modules that can be connected and provides flexibility for future system expansion. - Robust and Reliable Product:
The iKAN-124-IP65 Industrial LED Display withstood a typhoon with Category 17 gusts and continued to operate smoothly, demonstrating its exceptional reliability.
Conclusion
Many long-established campuses still rely on early DDC control systems, which are limited to standalone operation and prone to malfunctions, making them inadequate for modern needs. Leveraging its diverse product portfolio, ICP DAS provides customized solutions tailored to the university’s requirements, achieving each objective with flexibility. This approach has successfully created a comprehensive and reliable smart campus system, fulfilling goals in environmental control, energy efficiency, and safety.
Note: The cover image uses visuals from Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages’ official Facebook page.
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ICP DAS was established in 1993 and strongly focuses on innovation and the enhancement of industrial automation technology. ICP DAS continuously endeavors to develop a comprehensive selection of products ranging from remote I/O controllers, distributed I/O modules, I/O data acquisition boards, programmable automation controllers, industrial communication modules, web-related products, motion control systems, SCADA/HMI software to automation solutions for applications critical to energy management, motion automation, smart factories, intelligent buildings, and smart cities. Our ambition is to provide a wide range of high-quality products and versatile applications, together with prompt and efficient services, that can be implemented to assist in the continued success of our clients worldwide.