BEARS
Campus Sustainability Dashboard

Campus Sustainability Dashboard

Project Overview

The Campus Sustainability Dashboard is an innovative IoT project aimed at promoting environmental awareness and energy efficiency across university facilities. By collecting and visualizing real-time data on resource consumption, we empower the campus community to make informed decisions about sustainability.

Mission

To create a transparent, data-driven platform that tracks environmental impact and encourages sustainable practices through awareness and actionable insights.

System Components

Hardware Layer

  • Smart energy meters for electricity monitoring
  • Water flow sensors for consumption tracking
  • Air quality sensors (CO2, particulate matter)
  • Temperature and humidity sensors
  • Smart waste bin sensors for fill levels

Software Layer

  • Real-time data collection and processing pipeline
  • Web-based dashboard with interactive visualizations
  • Mobile app for on-the-go access
  • Analytics engine for pattern detection
  • Alerting system for anomalies

Key Features

  1. Energy Monitoring: Track electricity usage by building and department
  2. Water Usage Analytics: Identify patterns and potential leaks
  3. Air Quality Tracking: Monitor indoor environmental quality
  4. Waste Management: Optimize collection routes based on bin fill levels
  5. Carbon Footprint Calculator: Estimate campus-wide emissions
  6. Comparison Tools: Benchmark performance against sustainability goals

Technical Implementation

  • Backend: Python with Flask for API services
  • Database: InfluxDB for time-series data storage
  • Frontend: Vue.js with D3.js for data visualization
  • IoT Platform: MQTT for device communication
  • Cloud Infrastructure: Self-hosted on university servers

Impact & Results

Since deployment in pilot buildings:

  • 15% reduction in energy waste through behavioral changes
  • 20% improvement in waste collection efficiency
  • Increased awareness of environmental impact among students and staff
  • Data-driven insights for facility management decisions

Team

  • Julia Anderson - Project Manager & Full-Stack Developer
  • Kevin Nguyen - IoT Hardware Specialist
  • Laura Thompson - Data Science & Analytics
  • Michael Brown - Frontend Development
  • Nina Patel - Sustainability Research & Testing

Partnerships

This project is conducted in collaboration with:

  • University Facilities Management
  • Environmental Science Department
  • Campus Sustainability Office
  • Local environmental organizations

Future Expansion

  • Deploy sensors in all major campus buildings
  • Integrate renewable energy generation monitoring
  • Develop predictive models for resource planning
  • Create gamification features to encourage competition between dorms
  • Open-source the platform for other universities to adopt

Recognition

Winner of the 2025 Green Campus Innovation Award and featured in the University’s Sustainability Report.