Niagara Forum 2025, London
Transforming Heritage Buildings with IoT and Intelligent Automation
David Green – Head of Innovation, Blenheim Palace

Revolutionising Estate Management with IoT & Smart Data

David Green, Head of Innovation at Blenheim Palace, is spearheading groundbreaking work in integrating technology into heritage estates. With a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, David is bringing innovation to environments where traditional connectivity solutions are impractical.

The Blenheim Estate: A Case Study in Smart Heritage Management

Blenheim Estate, spanning 12,500 acres in the Yorkshire Cotswolds, is a prime example of how IoT and LoRaWAN (Long-Range Wide Area Network) can revolutionise estate management. Given that a third of the UK consists of privately owned estates, the challenges faced at Blenheim are widely shared across the country.

Key Challenges in Heritage Estate Management

• Massive scale and complex maintenance: Blenheim comprises extensive woodlands, forestry, and a historic 180-room building.
• Limited infrastructure for modern connectivity: Running cables for sensors and data collection is often impractical.
• High energy costs: The estate spends over £4 million annually on restoration and conservation, with energy inefficiencies adding to the financial burden.
• Multiple disconnected systems: With six to seven different Building Management Systems (BMS), there was no unified approach to monitoring or control.

The Role of LoRaWAN in Smart Estate Solutions

To overcome these hurdles, the estate implemented a LoRaWAN network to connect sensors across its vast landscape. This has enabled real-time monitoring and control of:

• Energy consumption
• Soil health and land quality
• Visitor movement and engagement
• Environmental conditions like air and water quality

A unique innovation at Blenheim is its Smart Visitor Management System, which uses AI-powered predictive analytics to forecast visitor numbers 30 days in advance, optimising resource allocation and operational efficiency.

Cutting-Edge Automation for Energy Efficiency

One of the key projects at Blenheim has been an energy-saving initiative designed to reduce consumption by 20% across the estate. The strategy includes:

• Smart control integration: Linking LoRaWAN-based controllers with existing BMS to automate heating, cooling, and lighting.
• Occupancy-based energy adjustments: Reducing energy waste by ensuring spaces are heated or cooled only when in use.
• Staff engagement and training: Implementing a Green Champions programme to encourage reporting of inefficiencies.

Results So Far:

• 46% reduction in energy usage in pilot areas
• Automated system controls, ensuring equipment is powered down when not needed
• Advanced reporting and analytics, providing real-time data for better decision-making

Digital Twin Technology: The Future of Estate Management

Looking ahead, David Green and his team are working with universities on Digital Twin technology, which will create a real-time, data-driven replica of Blenheim’s estate. This will:

• Provide a detailed history of building materials and architectural decisions
• Simulate environmental changes and predict future conservation needs
• Enhance predictive maintenance strategies to reduce long-term costs

Leading the Way in Smart Heritage Innovation

The work at Blenheim Estate sets a new benchmark for the integration of IoT, AI, and automation in heritage conservation. With a clear focus on sustainability, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology, David Green’s approach provides a blueprint for other estates to follow.