An interactive screen in Peacock Hall enables those who work and learn in the building to gain insights about energy consumption.
The touch-screen dashboard, located on the second floor in the Broyhill Commons, provides 24/7 access to view real-time water and electricity data in Peacock Hall.
The information is available thanks in part to a student-faculty research project aimed at better understanding how technology can help solve social problems.
Daniel Emery, Cameron Barnett and Kiefer Smith were assigned the project as a practicum to conceptualize the energy and water consumption data for Peacock Hall, using real time data from meters on the building's solar array.
Related: Big Data, Bigger Network: A Student Spotlight
Dr. Lakshmi Iyer, information systems professor and director of the Walker College's graduate applied analytics program, supervised the capstone project that resulted in the creation of the dashboard.
"Findings from the research will allow us to know the specific impact of the dashboard and other interventions on energy consumption behavior in Peacock Hall," said Iyer.
Iyer is now engaged in further research, "Do we have the 'Power' to Change? A Longitudinal Investigation of Technological Intervention on Energy Consumption Behavior," which is funded by a Walker College's Dean's Research grant.
From campus networks, the dashboard can also be accessed online at shinyserver.appstate.edu.
About Sustainable Business
Appalachian's Walker College of Business is committed to advancing sustainable business practices that promote responsible management of economic, social and natural resources. The theory and practice of sustainable business recognizes that the economy, environment and society (the triple bottom line) are interconnected and interdependent, and strives to enhance the business model so that it can flourish and thrive to benefit future generations. The college offers a sustainable business minor available to business and nonbusiness majors, a bachelor's degree in environmental economics and policy, and an MBA concentration in sustainable business. The programs focus on student engagement, research and community involvement.
About Business Student Research
The Walker College Business encourages students to participate in research supervised by a faculty mentor to: Learn more about issues or questions of specific interest; Learn how business firms and government agencies do research; Gain additional job skills; Work more closely in a collaborative and mentoring context with a professor, and Improve presentation skills. Business students are eligible to apply for a variety of research grants designed to cover costs associated with research projects or creative endeavors, including Appalachian State University Office of Student Research Grants, Barnes Program Research Grants, and the CERPA Scholars Program.
Photo of Energy Dashboard in Peacock Hall
Energy Dashboard in Peacock Hall