Siemens and UCF to Establish Big Data Collaboration Focused on Advancing Smart Infrastructure Technologies

Today, the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Siemens unveiled a new collaboration around smart infrastructure that builds on a more than 30-year relationship. The expanded partnership is aimed at improving the performance and efficiency of buildings and the energy grid by harnessing the power of data. The collaboration will include software and hardware to be installed at UCF’s Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab and will incorporate the existing Siemens’ Digital Grid Lab.

“We look forward to partnering with Siemens to help build and shape the smart cities of tomorrow,” said UCF President Dale Whittaker. “Together, we will prepare our students to meet the data science workforce demands of the future and produce technology efficiencies and innovations in infrastructure and energy that will benefit our community and our nation for decades to come.”

Traditional building automation that integrates and controls a structure’s operations from HVAC, lighting and security to other systems, now also includes digital mechanisms to link these systems together, gather data and analyze operations to provide better decision-making for building operators. The concept of smart buildings continues to evolve with new technology and software.

Siemens will integrate its MindSphere cloud-based IoT operating system, Navigator building data analytics platform, Desigo CC building management station, and other building automation hardware into the Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab’s facilities and corresponding building automation management systems. Utilizing Siemens software platforms, students and faculty will learn how to conduct in-depth research on data analytics focused on building systems.

“Siemens’ long-time partnership with UCF is a win-win for all parties,” said Dave Hopping, President of Siemens Building Technologies – North America. “Siemens gets to thoroughly test its analytics platforms as well as new software prototypes for use with various applications. We will apply those learnings to advance smart buildings. In turn, UCF students gain valuable hands-on experience and industry knowledge of real-time findings that will affect how we interact with buildings and the grid in the future.”

Founded last year, Siemens’ Digital Grid Lab will be combined with the Smart Infrastructure Lab and will continue to focus on power grid-specific infrastructure components of the project. UCF will also work with local utilities that serve both the campus and the surrounding communities to collect utility consumption and related weather data as well as operational and planning data for their power distribution systems. Utilizing Siemens software platforms, students and faculty will learn how to conduct in-depth research on data analytics focused on building systems.

“There’s a definite synergy between buildings and the grid, as seen with energy becoming more decentralized and buildings assuming more of a prosumer role,” said Mike Carlson, President of Siemens Digital Grid – North America. “The opportunity to take what we are already doing with UCF related to grid digitalization and combine supply and demand in coordination with technology for building automation will make this a benchmark program for Siemens.”

Through the Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab, Siemens will leverage data through machine learning, real-time analytics and artificial intelligence to help automate certain processes to be initiated by building systems whenever possible.

UCF students and faculty will also assist Siemens in planning, prioritizing and testing various technology prototypes to accelerate the commercialization of smart building platforms and technologies in conjunction with utility-based applications and programs.

The Smart Infrastructure Data Analytics Lab is expected to be fully operational in early 2019.