SMRT’s intelligent facilities management initiative saves energy at stations with Envision Digital (now Univers)

In partnership with Envision Digital, the global decarbonisation software leader headquartered in Singapore, SMRT will reduce Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption through predictive Artificial Intelligence (AI) to adjust setpoints, while maintaining commuter comfort.

In lab testing and real-world trials at two stations, the use of HVAC optimisation saw a 5 to 10% reduction in energy consumption. For each underground train station, this works out to savings of between 105 and 210 MWh a year.

By the end of 2023, SMRT plans to implement this at 70 of its underground stations across the North-South, East-West, Circle and Thomson-East Coast lines.

Mr Lam Sheau Kai, President, SMRT Trains, said: “Trains is the greenest mode of public commute in Singapore. We are expanding our green initiatives through Intelligent Facilities Management in stations to lower energy usage, further reducing our carbon footprint for a greener Singapore.”

Mr Michael Ding, Global Executive Director, Envision Digital, said: “Net zero transportation is the future and we are glad to partner SMRT Trains as they digitalise to decarbonise their operations for Singapore’s journey to net zero.”

IFM comprises several digital platforms to improve the efficiency and productivity of its rail operations and maintenance regime. These include:
• Smart Energy Usage to reduce HVAC energy consumption
• On Demand Cleaning comprising a Hygiene Service Index for toilets, and robot cleaners
• Integrated Operations & Maintenance for the integration of fault management and maintenance between the Advanced Station Operations Management System (ASOMS) and Mobile Operations & Maintenance System (MOMS) For more information, please refer to Annex.

In September 2022, SMRT Trains announced its partnership with Thales on “The Next-Generation Green CBTC Project”, which aims to improve traction energy efficiency of the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL). This partnership uses data analytics to evaluate and improve the operational effectiveness of Thales’ CBTC system and reduce NSEWL’s traction energy by 15%.

In November 2022, SMRT also signed a deal with EDPR Sunseap to expand Bishan Depot’s photovoltaic (PV) system by 1.56 to 2.56 megawatt peak (MWp). When completed in 2023, the solar PV system at Bishan Depot will be capable of generating an estimated 3,000 MWh of energy per year.

As part of ongoing efforts to lower energy consumption, since November 2022, SMRT has started trials at identified stations to switch off selected escalators, faregates and fans during off peak periods and lights when ambient lighting is adequate. Involving selected stations across the NSEWL, Circle Line and Bukit Panjang LRT, each station has a customised plan, and adjustments will be made according to ground situations. There is no compromise on safety, security and reliability.

With these collective green initiatives, SMRT moves closer towards its vision to achieve net zero carbon equivalent by 2050.