Envelo

Innovation overview and development

An overview of the sustainable innovation
We have designed and delivered a SaaS platform which collates and ingests data from many sources, and uses this data to ensure that health and wellbeing is looked after in buildings, and at the same time energy efficiency is optimised.

Envelo can be deployed during or after fit-out, and connects to data via the cloud from many different IoT sensors and other data sources, covering Indoor Air Quality, Outdoor Air Quality, occupancy and surface hygiene. Envelo is device agnostic, so it can work with existing sensors if already present.

Envelo monitors a wide range of factors that impact health and wellbeing, and uses algorithms and machine learning to provide automations that can connect to many different end systems (e.g. Building Management Systems, HVAC, WIFI controlled thermostats and in-room devices such as air purifiers and de-humidifiers) to ensure that health and wellbeing is looked after indoors, whilst saving energy wherever possible, thus improving sustainability.

The automations are continuous, real-time/dynamic and are also predictive. Where automations are not possible, manual alerts (e.g. when to open/close windows and where) can be scheduled by the user to help them also ensure the building is healthy and productive whilst reducing energy costs where possible.

Manual workflow is also used to target cleaning teams on where cleaning is most needed based on surface hygiene trends and occupancy. The user interface includes dashboards for building management which provides rich data and insights so issues can be quickly identified and investigated, and a kiosk display which is used to show building occupants that the building they are in is looking after their health and wellbeing. The user interface also reports energy savings and the related carbon savings.

How the innovation was developed, including effective collaboration, knowledge transfer and partnership along the project team
Envelo has been developed by individuals from various backgrounds and skillsets working as a team to design, develop and deploy something genuinely new, protected by UK and International patent. We collaborate closely with our partners, including different IoT/sensor manufacturers, our reseller INVZBL in the USA, and Net Zero who enable carbon reporting. We have worked closely with Related Argent on the Kings Cross Estate in London to deploy and improve our technology through innovation pilots over the past couple of years.

The use of new technologies, processes products or techniques or novel uses of existing ones
Envelo uses a mixture of existing commercially available technologies and systems (e.g. air sensors, occupancy sensors, Building Management Systems, WIFI-controlled devices, air purifications units, etc) and connects them to the Envelo platform to use the data to deploy automations that deliver benefits including: improvement to health and wellbeing, reduction in energy costs and consumption, and other sustainability benefits. The cost of investing in Envelo is typically returned within 9 months, making it an attractive investment for any business.

How does the innovation provide a more environmentally friendly approach for the industry
By continually and dynamically controlling the amount of fresh air that is ventilated into buildings, Envelo ensures that indoor and air remains sufficiently healthy at all times, whilst saving energy used to heat or cool outdoor air wherever possible. The energy savings delivered through this approach are estimated by the platform and this is converted into carbon savings delivered.

How does the innovation provide an improvement in social value
Envelo plays a part in delivering a more productive environment through improved air quality and reduced sickness levels. It reduces one of the major sources of energy consumption in buildings, (heating/cooling of outdoor air being ventilated into buildings). Our kiosk displays show building occupants that their health and wellbeing is being looked after, and whilst also reporting energy and carbon savings.

This helps organisations engage with their employees and other building occupants, showing the benefits of healthier and more sustainable buildings, and encouraging everybody to feel confident to participate in the workplace.

Envelo can fit to any building – IoT sensors can be easily and cost effectively deployed to any indoor space without wiring, and manual alerts can be used where automations are not available.

This means the benefits of Envelo can be delivered in any building type, not just modern office buildings in city centres.

How does this innovation influence future specifications to improve sustainability
Ultimately we would hope that all building design and fit-outs will require a similar system to Envelo to be installed in the future. We are currently working with the London School of Architecture, where Envelo has been installed in their new student hub in East London, to promote the use and specification of similar systems as Envelo amongst the architecture community. We have joined FIS and are working with FIS in a similar way to help spread adoption through the fit-out industry.