YEG Edmonton International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Canada, serving approximately 8 million passengers annually. YEG is committed to using digital technologies to improve its operations. A specific area where YEG is focused on developing and applying technology is within its building management systems (BMS).
The Imperative for Change
Like many other major airports worldwide, YEG is a complex facility that requires efficient and effective management to ensure smooth operations that contribute to delivering an enhanced experience for its customers, passengers, and employees. The original terminal at YEG opened in 1960. It has undergone numerous expansions and improvements since its inception, including a significant expansion in 2012, nearly doubling the airport’s size. Although YEG was an early adopter of software solutions and data analytics, the data analytics industry was still in its infancy.
In early 2021, YEG identified that it needed to do a deep dive into its BMS to ensure that its systems were performing at optimal levels in order to meet its unwavering commitment to enhancing customer experience and sustainability. In addition, YEG recognized the need to ensure that its systems were capable of adapting to intelligent, sophisticated, and automated technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), data analytics and digital twins; all of which impact the way airports are being operated today and how they will function in the future.
The Approach
YEG engaged DB Technologies (DBT) to evaluate the BMS to better understand its capabilities for operation and the readiness of its system for integration into IoT and digital technologies. Specifically, the DBT team focused on reviewing the mechanical and BMS systems on-site. As part of our process, our team developed project goals and objectives which could be used to measure success moving forward.
To realize its goals, our project team used a wholistic standard to evaluate EIA’s current BMS against industry best practices considering readiness for data and digital technologies. Our approach included reviewing mechanical and electrical technical information, a review of installed equipment, the functionality of the BMS, installed control devices, IT/OT network integration, utility costs and a thorough engagement with various YEG site team members.
The Result and The Future
Our team identified a more wholistic and precise picture needed to be developed for YEG to achieve its goals. As part of our solution, our team developed a roadmap for YEG that considers its current systems and replacement costs while addressing its current operational issues and planning to integrate future technologies.
The roadmap, which is centered around continuous improvement, includes:
• A thorough plan to develop and execute digital strategies as part of an ongoing program
• Development of BMS, Mechanical and Digital technology standards
• Program management to execute improvement
• Validation of contractor for compliance with standards
Today DBT continues to work with YEG to execute the developed roadmap as a series of multiple projects; all focused on improving current operational systems. As YEG continuously evolves and completes ongoing renovations, DBT will participate in planning and managing consultants and contractors to achieve YEG’s vision and roadmap. In addition, DBT is helping with breaking down silos as a result of ongoing communication with multiple divisions at YEG to ensure everyone is aware of the standards and plan and is positioned to consider them as they complete their work.
As a result, YEG is now better positioned to adopt new and evolving digital technologies. The airport can prioritize changes to current systems that directly address a core value of sustainability while enhancing its customers’ and team members’ experience with the facility.
The demand for air travel will continue to increase in our post-pandemic world, and the continuous shift for more advanced and sustainable spaces that meet the needs of various stakeholders will continue to evolve. Airport authorities and team members that manage and maintain systems must be well-versed in new digital technologies and how they can be adopted and applied to help meet the basic and complex needs of passengers and their teams in this constantly changing and complex industry.
Photo Credit:
YEG – Edmonton International Airport
