Manchester Digital Development Agency, UK (MDDA) is the lead body responsible for coordinating the SAVE ENERGY pilot for Manchester.
MDDA works with a wide range of local, national and international partners from the government, academic, business and community sectors. Our role is to support the regeneration of the city-region through the strategic and practical work of our technology-focused projects. We are part of Manchester City Council located within the Regeneration Division of the Chief Executive’s Department, and work with partners from the whole of Greater Manchester metropolitan area. Manchester City Council acts as the lead authority for this work on behalf of all ten of the Greater Manchester districts.
The Digital Strategy guides our `hands-on’ project work, much of which is focused on how local organisations and businesses can use web-based technologies to become more effective and sustainable. We play a key role supporting the development and growth of digital businesses in the city, supporting Manchester Digital, the trade association for new media and ICT businesses in Northwest UK, and provide mentoring and support to digital businesses through our project-based work. We are available to assist a wide range of organisations and groups area to access the benefits of information technology. If we can’t help directly, it’s pretty certain that we know someone who can!
Manchester City Council’s climate change action plan, A Certain Future has committed the city to a reduction in CO2 emissions by 41% on 2005 levels, by 2020 along with developing a long term programme for retrofitting public and commercial buildings across the city. MDDA is supporting the action plan with a range of green technology projects, with a range of projects: Pepesec, DEHEMS (Digital Home Energy Management System) and SAVE ENERGY. The aim is to provide practical advice and case studies on how technology can be used to make homes and premises more energy efficient.
The Art Gallery - Manchester pilot building
In conjunction with the University of Salford’s Centre for Construction Innovation (CCI), MDDA is working with the Manchester Art Gallery to deliver an energy pilot for the city. Similar to MDDA, the gallery is part of Manchester City Council. Manchester Art Gallery is one of the region’s most popular cultural destinations, attracting over 400,000 visits each year. In 1998, it underwent a four year, £35 million refurbishment and expansion programme which transformed the venue.
The complex comprises three buildings linked by a glazed atrium. The earliest was built in 1824 and is Grade l listed. The Athenaeum building, listed Grade II dates from 1836. The atrium unites the two historic buildings with the new extension, making a single building under one roof. The main entrance is through the ionic portico of the old gallery. The grand staircase leads to a number of galleries. A footbridge crosses over the glazed link to the new extension, with a staircase and free standing lift towers. A continuous sequence of galleries on the first floor in the new building gives access to the Athenaeum. A shop, coffee bar and restaurant, the education department, a further gallery and the loading dock occupy the ground floor.
Working in conjunction with the art gallery, the project management is provided by Martine Tommis from Manchester Digital Development Agency. Technology support for the development of the web interface and data management is being supported at MDDA by Paul Hilton and Alan Holding. Gregg Woodall from the University of Salford is a building performance management expert responsible for leading the technical delivery of the energy pilot. Prof Erik Bichard. also from University of Salford is a sustainable behaviour change expert advising on ways to engage building users in energy saving.
