Executive Summary
Improving energy efficiency in a protected historic building requires a detailed understanding of consumption and how building systems respond to daily demand.
Working with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, OCS introduced advanced metering, intelligent building controls and targeted engineering improvements at Edinburgh High Court. Energy data now supports more responsive building management, reducing unnecessary consumption while protecting the building’s historic character and essential court operations.
Energy Performance in Numbers
Building controls, energy monitoring and targeted improvements are reducing consumption while keeping the historic court operational.
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23%
Energy Consumption Reduction by 2024
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32%
Reduction on Lighting Energy Consumption
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£2.1M
Scottish Government Funding Secured
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£70K +
Projected Annual Savings at Completion
The Challenge
Edinburgh High Court is a B-listed building within the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, making energy improvements particularly complex.
The 5,232m² building had an EPC D rating and required significant improvements to energy efficiency while maintaining the conditions needed for daily court proceedings.
Its heritage status placed restrictions on the work that could be undertaken, requiring solutions that would respect the building’s character and preserve operational continuity.
SCTS needed a clear understanding of energy consumption and the opportunities available to improve performance without affecting the court’s essential functions.
The Solution
OCS developed a targeted retrofit programme, combining engineering improvements with technology that provides greater visibility and control of energy use.
Circuit-level monitoring was introduced across low-voltage electrical panels, with consumption data integrated into the Meterology platform. This allows energy use to be monitored in real time and helps identify where inefficiencies may be occurring.
Temperature and CO₂ sensors were installed in courtrooms to support more responsive heating, ventilation and air conditioning. AI-powered analytics also use Building Management System data to adjust operation according to building requirements, reducing unnecessary energy use.
Corridor and stairwell lighting was replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, while careful planning ensured the improvements respected conservation requirements and allowed court proceedings to continue.
Together, these measures provide a more informed approach to managing building performance, connecting operational data with decisions about how energy is consumed.
Best Outcomes
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service can maintain essential judicial operations while improving the efficiency of its historic estate. Greater intelligence on energy consumption informs building management decisions, helping reduce running costs, improve environmental performance and protect long-term operational resilience.
