THE CUSTOMER

Ely Museum has recently undergone a major redevelopment of its premises further to receiving a £2.2m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The refurbishment prompted the Museum’s preservation team to consider the merits of IoT to augment existing climate control processes and enable strategic decision-making.

THE BRIEF

Ely Museum required a discreet solution that wouldn't detract from the aesthetics of the displays. Additionally, sensors were required for multiple climate parameters.

THE REQUIREMENTS

Green Custard carried out the necessary site surveys, selected the sensors, and provided the know-how to capture the data and present the findings via an online portal.

“Museums need to carefully monitor temperature and humidity in order to care for their collections as well as possible. Extremes and spikes or too much variation can cause huge damage to historic artefacts.”

Sara Adderson

Assistant Curator, Ely Museum

THE SOLUTION

The integrated solution comprises a series of unobtrusive, small white sensors that are interconnected via LoRaWAN to a 4G-enabled gateway, so the building’s aesthetics are not impacted in any way. The collected data is displayed to key stakeholders in an easy-to-understand format, thus allowing Museum staff to make insightful decisions pertaining to people flow, energy consumption or the location of expo displays.

Lux sensors measure the ambient light on delicate artefacts which are susceptible to deterioration through light conditions.
External Temperature and Humidity sensors to baseline against outside conditions.
Multi-Sensor units collect core data (CO2, Temperature and Humidity) across the museum, in both public and storage areas.
Additional Temperature and Humidity Sensors to ensure all areas of the building are measured.
In-Display Case Temperature and Humidity Sensors to ensure delicate artefacts have their display case environment monitored.
Footfall counter tracks visitor numbers.

Results

1. DISCREET
The integrated solution comprises a series of unobtrusive, small white sensors that are interconnected via LoRaWAN to a 4G-enabled gateway, so the building’s aesthetics are not impacted.

2. USER-FRIENDLY
The collected data is displayed to key stakeholders in an easy-to-understand
format, thus allowing Museum staff to make insightful decisions pertaining to people flow, energy consumption or the location of expo displays.

3. DATA-DRIVEN
Having the capability to accurately monitor CO2 levels, people flow, and room occupancy enables museum staff to make commercial and preservation decisions that are based on fact.

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