• • • NET ZERO • • •
Electrification and digitisation: The
blueprint for net zero building design By Kas Mohammed, Vice President of Digital Energy, UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric
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uildings significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of all carbon
emissions. With 80 per cent of today’s existing buildings expected to still be in use in 2050, the same year the UK hopes to achieve its Net Zero targets, decarbonising the built environment has become an urgent priority. Transitioning to energy-efficient and sustainable building management is a positive step forward to achieving sustainability in the built environment. It provides building owners and facilities management teams with incentives to explore strategies that will cut energy waste and lower energy bills. In addition, the shift to net zero will foster healthier and more comfortable living and working environments by improving indoor air quality. However, traditional energy efficiency measures such as better insulation and lighting controls are no longer sufficient for today’s buildings. A more granular approach is required, based on continuous data collection and analysis, that will provide teams with actionable insights into a building’s performance.
A smarter and more scientific approach
As a company we’ve invested in studies that track the positive impact of energy efficiency strategies on the built environment. The Schneider Electric Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) has recently completed months of detailed energy consumption and efficiency related research. SRI research has revealed that building owners can boost energy performance through digitisation and electrification. The research has shown that new digital management systems allow building owners
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to move beyond basic efficiency measures to uncover new areas for optimisation that weren’t recognisable before. Plus, access to more data offers new levels of insight into energy consumption. This empowers building owners to take informed decisions and implement targeted improvements, while tracking the progress of their energy saving initiatives.
Gaining a technological advantage
Smart building technologies, such as AI, IoT and digital twins, are key to upgrading our building stock and accelerating the transition to net zero. IoT sensors play a pivotal role in this transformation. They seamlessly integrate into existing building systems, enhancing their capabilities and improving overall building adaptability, safety and regulatory compliance. 24/7 cloud-based data intelligence allows for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions, providing insights into energy usage and occupancy, all of which can be controlled remotely. This data intelligence helps building owners reduce their carbon footprint, boost operational efficiencies and minimise energy costs.
Applications for
AI and Digital Twins AI is integral to smart buildings, dynamically adjusting environmental conditions such as lighting, temperature and air quality based on occupancy patterns and external environmental conditions. Data analytics and machine learning enable predictive analytics to anticipate demands, powering proactive adjustments to system settings and airflow distribution. AI opens the door to automation, allowing building owners to improve
asset performance and drive significant cost savings by limiting energy consumption where it is not needed.
Digital twins further streamline the design and implementation process of electrical infrastructure. By creating a virtual replica of a building’s power system, designers can simulate and perfect performance before installation begins. The concept of a ‘live digital twin’ keeps the digital model up to date with real-time data from the building’s systems, enabling continuous optimisation and scalability. This helps building managers plan for future infrastructure additions such as EV charging points and onsite energy production.
Sustainable technology in action But don’t just take our word for it, there are real world applications of these technologies. Take Sidara’s London headquarters at 150 Holborn for instance. This large facility is equipped with an advanced network of sensors and controls, which gather and analyse huge volumes of operational data. This sophisticated system provides crucial insights into energy consumption, occupancy trends and environmental conditions in near real-time. Similarly, the University of Nottingham has adopted a digital-first, AI-powered approach to manage its buildings estate to improve operational and energy efficiencies, drive sustainability and decarbonisation.
Smart buildings and estates like these will play a key role in the energy transition. AI, IoT and digital twins will help improve the performance of new and existing buildings, cut energy waste and reduce harmful emissions. As we move towards an all-digital and all-electric future, these technologies will accelerate our progress towards net-zero.
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