Technical Report

1.0  Introduction

1.1  Background of Problem Identified

This proposal has been prepared in response to the letter of authorisation requesting for proposal on developing sustainable solutions to an engineering problem. 

Electricity has become one of the essential daily needs. With the continued development of technology that requires electricity, the demand for electricity to power up electrical devices has also increased. Despite the importance of electricity, many people are still unaware that they may be responsible for electricity wastage in their everyday lives. For example, electricity wastage is common in educational institutions as faculties and students often forget to turn off the air-conditioners, lights, fans and other equipment before leaving. In April 2018 alone, SIT@Dover has paid a total of $120,384.10 for 634,701.41 kWh of electricity. For more information, see Appendix A.

According to the Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore (n.d.), Singapore imports natural gas from Indonesia and Malaysia to generate approximately 95 per cent of her electricity. Even though natural gas is "cleaner and more energy efficient" than coal and oil, burning of this gas still releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (Ng, 2018). Parfit (n.d.) claimed that it is evident that carbon dioxide produced by coal and other fossil fuels is warming the planet. The carbon emitted from the burning of these fossil fuels traps solar energy in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to increase.

1.2  Existing Technologies

Motion sensors detect movements around a premise and are used in a wide variety of applications which include entryway lighting, automatic doors, hand dryers and intruder alarms. According to Riyanto, Margatama, Hakim, Martini and Hindarto (2018), one of the approaches to motion sensors operation is via motion detection by differentiating the foreground image from the background image to detect the moving objects. In the case of Passive Infrared Receiver (PIR), the device detects the change in infrared radiation caused by moving objects and responds by releasing output voltage (e.g. switching on the lights when a person enters the toilet).

In today's digital era, CCTVs are able to perform object monitoring, unlike the first generation of CCTV. According to Kaur and Singh (2014), human monitoring in video surveillance can be breakdown into four steps; video, background modelling, human detection and human tracking. The first step involves the recording of video footage in a designated area. Background modelling will then define the background in that designated area to differentiate moving objects from the background. Following that, human detection will distinguish humans in the video by separating the foreground from the background. Finally, human tracking will monitor the movements of humans. This is also known as computer vision (CV) where the camera’s software analyses sequential frames of live video for differences and records a motion event when a significant change is detected.

Currently, many new buildings have installed a Building Management System (BMS) to control and monitor the building's electrical equipment such as lightings and power systems. However, in SIT@Dover, electrical appliances such as lights, air-conditioners and fans are operated manually. If students and faculties do not switch off these appliances after leaving the rooms, it will lead to electricity wastage. So, an ideal campus should have an automation system to switch off these appliances when no one is using them.

Human Monitoring Interface (HMI) incorporates existing technologies such as motion sensors and human monitoring into the CCTV to automate the operation of such electrical appliances.

1.3  Problem Statement

Currently, electrical appliances such as air-conditioners, fans and lightings in SIT@Dover are left switched on even when the premises are unoccupied. An ideal situation would be to switch off these electrical appliances when not in use. However, based on our recent observations of SIT@Dover, these appliances are operated manually. Therefore, if the users do not switch off these appliances, it will result in unnecessary electricity wastage.

1.4  Purpose Statement

This proposal aims to propose to the SIT@Dover Estates Division to adopt HMI to the campus, and to emphasise to the Estates Division that this innovation reduces carbon footprint, electricity wastage and saves costs.

2.0  Proposed Solution

2.1  Incorporating Human Monitoring Interface (HMI) into the campus CCTVs

The team’s proposed solution to electricity wastage in SIT@Dover is to incorporate HMI into the campus CCTV. The HMI originates from combining the idea of human monitoring used in video surveillance and the application of motion sensors in buildings to improve energy efficiency.

In the context of reducing electricity wastage in the campus, CCTVs will be used to replace the need for motion sensors to automate electrical appliances such as lights and air-conditioners. Based on the team's observations, the campus has installed CCTVs in high asset rooms such as lecture theatres, computer labs and interactive classrooms to provide surveillance for the rooms. Existing CCTVs can be programmed to have human monitoring as an added function.

The concept of HMI is to detect students and faculties entering the classroom through the CCTV monitoring system and in response, the HMI will switch on the lights and air-conditioners in that classroom (refer to figure 1). Similarly, upon detection of students and faculties leaving, the HMI will then switch off the lights and air-conditioners (refer to figure 2).

Figure 1. Occupied classroom with HMI.

 Figure 2. Unoccupied classroom with HMI.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will be incorporated into the HMI to create a more intuitive approach as compared to the rigid structure commonly found in the application of motion sensors in buildings. According to Jarrahi (2018), AI can assist to simplify complex problems by using the correlation between variables to provide a suitable solution from many possibilities.

In the case of HMI at SIT@Dover, AI can help to determine the call to action for various scenarios using software algorithms. For instance, if students are seen carrying their bags out of the classrooms, it would represent the end of a class, and the lights and air-conditioners can then be switched off. However, for students who entered the classroom with their bags but left without their belongings, the AI will help to determine the optimal time to switch off the electrical appliances.

The implementation of HMI to the campus CCTVs will be customised to individual classrooms. The advantage of this is that it does not affect the HMI’s operation in the entire campus in the event of a single HMI breakdown.

3.0  Benefits of Proposed Solution

3.1  Reduction in Carbon Footprint

With the implementation of HMI to the CCTVs, it reduces electricity wastage which will minimise the electricity consumption of the campus. With electricity consumption reduced, the demand for electricity will also reduce, resulting in a lower carbon footprint due to the reduction in electricity generation.

3.2  Low Implementation Costs

Instead of retrofitting the classrooms with motion sensors, CCTVs can do the job of the motion sensors by introducing a new function to the CCTV system known as human monitoring. Therefore, the campus can avoid the additional costs of purchasing and retrofitting the motion sensors into individual classrooms.

3.3  Innovation Breakthrough in Electricity Management

The adoption of human monitoring using CCTVs to replace motion sensors will provide SIT@Dover's building management with alternative electricity management. Motion sensors often face the challenge of finding a perfect placement for the device to achieve high accuracy. However, with the adoption of human monitoring in the CCTV, this challenge no longer exists. One of the main advantages of adopting this method is that it allows a greater analysis of the venue.

In addition, SIT@Dover can be the first to pilot this project. Upon successful implementation of the HMI, the campus can become a case study for other existing buildings to reduce electricity wastage. Therefore, SIT will be able to gain more publicity and improve its reputation among the other universities in Singapore.

3.4  Reduction in Electronic Waste (E-Waste)

Electronic waste contains toxic materials that are harmful to the environment due to the toxic chemicals it releases into the air when it gets warmed up. The implementation of HMI in CCTV reduces the need for motion sensors in the conservation of electricity. CCTV will then be able to serve an additional function of human monitoring apart from the initial purpose of surveillance. This will result in less electronic waste being generated due to the improvisation made to CCTV.

3.5  Cost Savings

With the implementation of HMI, electricity wastage in SIT can be minimized. This will lead to energy savings and lower electricity bills for SIT. Thus, allowing the school to have more funds that can be better utilized in other areas such as student development.

4.0  Proposal Evaluation

HMI addresses the identified electricity wastage problem at SIT@Dover. With the automation of electrical appliances, it will resolve the issue of operating these appliances manually.

The team has considered alternative automation technologies such as motion sensors and timers for electrical appliances. For instance, timers of electrical appliances in the venue are pre-set according to the booking timeslots. However, if the venue is used for a shorter period when compared to the original timeslot booking, it will lead to electricity wastage. So, the primary reason for choosing human monitoring is that it provides a balanced approach to the problem.

4.1  Challenges

One of the challenges faced in implementing the HMI is the limited accessibility of the software. The human monitoring software is generally used by law enforcers and is not readily available in the market. However, HMI can be developed by collaborating with degree programmes such as Software Engineering and Electrical Engineering in SIT. Collaboration is a good method for implementation of ideas through the capitalisation of specialities from the students in different courses. It can also help to enhance the collaborative culture in SIT and reduce the implementation cost since it is an in-house project.

Another challenge would be the accuracy of human monitoring in the CCTV. There may be chances of false detection by the device. However, this can be easily overcome through the provision of large amounts of data to the human monitoring interface (HMI) for deep learning to take place in the software analysis which will significantly improve the performance and reduce the possibility of error occurrence. According to Brownlee (2019), neural networks aim to decrease the chances of error happening.

Surette (2014) stated that a common concern raised by the public regarding CCTV is the loss of privacy. With the introduction of computer-enhanced systems, it may increase the intrusiveness of public surveillance. The purpose of integrating HMI into CCTV is to monitor the occupancy and automate the operation of electrical appliances in the classrooms. Hence, human monitoring software will only be detecting objects in the shape of a human. It will not invade the privacy of students as the HMI will not be able to identify the students. Moreover, classrooms in SIT @Dover have already been installed with CCTVs. Therefore, the campus would have already addressed the legal and social concerns earlier.

4.2  Limitations

One of the limitations highlighted during an interview with the team's sustainability-built environment professor was the possible effects the HMI could pose on the power consumption.

According to Bramberger, Brunner, Rinner and Schwabach (2004), the use of a pixel-based computation can help reduce the dependency on external access memory, resulting in better performance while minimizing the need for processing power. This could be a solution to reduce the power consumption caused by the HMI.

5.0  Methodology

5.1  Primary Research

Primary research was carried out in the form of an email interview with the SIT@Dover Estates Division, observations of electrical appliances consumption in the campus facilities and a personal interview with SIT sustainability-built environment professor.

The team had interviewed Ms Kerrie Soh Hwee Leng from the SIT@Dover Estates Division to understand the electricity consumption rate and systems used by the electrical appliances in the campus. For more details on the email correspondence between the team and Ms Kerrie Soh, see Appendix B.

The team had carried out a recce of the campus to observe the operation efficiency of electrical appliances. From the recce, the team noticed that lights and air-conditioners were in operation despite the rooms being vacant. For evidence of this, see Appendix C.

The team had also conducted a personal interview with SIT sustainability-built environment professor, Dr Kum Yong Juan, to evaluate the feasibility of the HMI. For a summary of this interview, see Appendix D.

5.2  Secondary Research

Secondary sources from academic articles and news articles were used to improve the credibility of the report. The scope of the articles ranged from the problem of electricity wastage to the application of human monitoring in video surveillance and motion sensors. The information found from the secondary research allows the team to innovate on existing ideas of automation technologies to suit the needs of SIT@Dover in reducing electricity wastage.

6.0  Conclusion

Electricity has an important role in our daily lives. However, the process of generating electricity have harmful effects on the environment, due to the byproducts released during the combustion of fossil fuels. One example would be the increase in carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation. The increase in carbon dioxide emissions leads to greenhouse effects that would cause Earth to warm up.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to use electricity wisely and reduce any forms of electricity wastage. The adoption of HMI will ensure minimal electricity wastage in SIT@Dover, through the automation of electrical appliances. The HMI adds value to existing CCTVs in the campus that mainly function as surveillance cameras. Thus, reduces implementation costs while playing a part in conserving electricity. SIT@Dover can also enjoy lower electricity bills to allow more funds for other usages. Most importantly, the introduction of HMI creates a potential for SIT to initiate a breakthrough in innovation for electricity management which would help SIT to further establish its reputation among other universities in Singapore despite being a relatively new university.