Queen Margaret University could cut energy by 11%, says new study

Queen Margaret University campus. (Image: Supplied)

Climate tech firm IES assessed how much energy its campus buildings actually use day to day. Instead of relying on original design plans, the analysis used live data from heating, ventilation and cooling systems to reflect real-world performance.

The study began in August 2025 and focused on the university’s main academic building and sports facility, both of which opened in 2008.

The study found that relatively simple changes, such as improving boiler controls, making greater use of “free cooling”, better scheduling heating and ventilation, could cut energy use by around 11% without major spending.

Using a digital twin model, the system combined building management data with detailed simulations to compare actual performance against the original design.

This highlighted inefficiencies, including a lack of dedicated energy metering for air handling units, which limited visibility over energy use.

The report also suggests that addressing these gaps and adjusting system controls could significantly improve efficiency, including increasing boiler performance from 82% to 94%, equating to around £14,000 in annual savings.

Better use of free cooling alone could also save the university nearly £30,000 a year by relying more on outside air.

Craig Blyth, senior operations consultant at IES, said: "This project proves that meaningful savings do not always require major capital investment.

"By combining building physics modelling with live operational data, we’ve moved beyond assumptions to identify exactly how existing systems can be tuned to perform more efficiently."

John Walker, head of estates and engineering at Queen Margaret University, added: "Sustainability is at the core of Queen Margaret University’s mission, and we are continually looking for ways to enhance our environmental performance, both through the operation of our campus and through our teaching and research.

"We are therefore pleased to work with IES to ensure we are taking every opportunity to identify and implement efficiencies that deliver meaningful, long-term benefits in how the University operates."

The first year’s potential savings exceed the initial cost of implementing the IES Live platform, demonstrating how quickly operational adjustments can deliver returns while contributing to longer-term decarbonisation plans.