<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-03T15:52:43Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/3F725A37-1FD9-459F-9930-9C2FB5673997" ns1:id="3F725A37-1FD9-459F-9930-9C2FB5673997"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/00812642-4240-41BB-B470-3FA9D3FDEBA6" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/E7FAB49B-1E33-4A07-B5DF-7A597C12C6ED" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/E7FAB49B-1E33-4A07-B5DF-7A597C12C6ED" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2023-04-29T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/7BD5446D-DD52-4273-8BE9-F731BC603921" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2022-11-01T00:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">10042819</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>A Smart Distributed Energy Management System for Purpose Built Student Accommodation</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Grant for R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>**Problem**

Most Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) have the potential to reduce energy usage by 25% but to achieve this, you need a building energy management system (BEMS). However, current BEMS have a centralised architecture that makes it very expensive and less flexible and are therefore not widely used.

**Solution**

Our solution is a distributed energy management system (DEMS): every room has its own simpler energy management system called EyeNode, while all these EyeNodes (rooms) are coordinated wirelessly by a simple central server. EyeNode has been developed by EyeseaGreen over the last 12 months. A small number of EyeNode components have been successfully trialled over the last 6 months but to enter the PBSA market with this disruptive product, it is essential to conduct a large-scale trial at a reputable institution.

**Project, Objectives and Focus**

Our project is to prove the business case for the use of a novel DEMS by conducting a large-scale trial in 200 rooms at Churchill College, University of Cambridge. The objectives of the project are (i) adaptation of EyeNode for site-deployment, (ii) demonstration of the use of EyeNodes in 200 rooms and (iii) data collection and comparison against a prior energy usage baseline to prove the energy savings achieved. Our focus is to ensure that this project provides evidence of a strong value proposition for EyeNode, which will give strong credibility to the technology and reduce the barriers to market entry. This will directly lead to EyeNode's commercialisation at a time when it is most required to tackle the current energy and climate crisis.

**Innovation**

EyeNode integrates EyeseaGreen's novel room sensor, EyeSense, with smart devices. This enables EyeNode to control energy usage in a room at less than one-tenth the cost of BEMS, whilst adding more functionality and better scaling potential. The implementation of DEMS in PBSA is novel and has the potential to disrupt a stagnating industry.

**Benefits**

In the UK, there are 680000 PBSA rooms (42% University-owned) and this total addressable market of EyeNode has an estimated potential annual CO2 emissions reduction of 162000tons with an annual energy saving of &amp;pound;88million. The rapid growth of EyeNode technology will reduce energy wastage, reduce CO2 emissions, promote better wellbeing, improve productivity and actively target net-zero.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>