JuRATE

How can existing non-residential buildings be operated more intelligently and energy-efficiently without completely replacing the existing infrastructure?

Tested in real-world operation
JuControl builds on several years of development and practical application within the Living Lab Energy Campus (LLEC).

Modernize step by step and continue developing based on real building data.

Making Existing Buildings Smarter Step by Step

Modernizing existing buildings is complex. Different technical systems are already in place, comprehensive upgrades are costly and time-consuming, while requirements for digitalization and energy efficiency continue to increase. Our approach therefore focuses on gradual modernization.

Capture

Integrate existing building systems and selectively add components where additional information is required.

Understand

Combine data on building use, energy consumption and indoor climate to make relationships and patterns in building operation visible.

Optimize

Use the available data to assess potential measures and implement them specifically where tangible benefits can be expected.

Automate

Where appropriate for the building and the specific use case, gradually add control and automation functions.

One Application – Different Functions

JuControl is the software application based on the ICT platform developed within the LLEC. Depending on the building and its requirements, different functions can be used and added step by step.

Indoor Climate

Collect temperature and other indoor climate data and make this information transparently available to building operators and users.

Workplace Booking

Support flexible working arrangements through digital workplace booking and management.

Demand-Based Heating

Adapt building operation more closely to actual use and requirements, helping to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

Monitoring & Analysis

Combine building and operational data, visualize developments and identify potential inefficiencies at an early stage.

JuControl in Operation

The application brings together different functions in a single interface: room and floor views, live and historical data, workplace booking, heating control, as well as functions for administration and facility management. JuControl is currently used in office buildings at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Screenshot from the JuControl application used within the LLEC.

From Research to Real-World Operation

The technological foundation of JuControl was developed as part of the Living Lab Energy Campus (LLEC) at Forschungszentrum Jülich and has already been deployed under real-world conditions in several buildings.

This has enabled us to gain several years of experience in integrating existing building systems, additional sensors and actuators, and digital applications into real-world building operation.

The next step is transferability: What requirements do other organizations have, and how should the solution be designed so that it can also be deployed and operated outside the established LLEC environment?

Turning Data into a Better Basis for Decision-Making

One potential use case is analyzing actual space utilization. Particularly with hybrid working models, building and workspace utilization can vary significantly throughout the week.

1. Measure occupancy with as little additional sensor technology as possible.
2. Analyze utilization by room, time period or organizational unit.
3. Assess the potential for further measures based on reliable data.

The system does not make decisions about space allocation. However, it can provide a robust data basis that enables those responsible to make better-informed decisions.

JuRATE: Now We Want to Learn from Practice

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