ENERGY MANAGEMENT & OPTIMISATION
The Net Zero Estate Playbook – intelligent technology powering change
In November 2021 shortly after the end of the COP26 climate conference, the Government published a new report: the Net Zero Estate Playbook which acts as an in-depth guide to decarbonising our public sector. Kas Mohammed, VP digital energy at Schneider Electric UK & Ireland explains why this playbook is a giant leap towards a greener public estate
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t should be borne in mind that the built environment contributes up to 42% of the UK’s total carbon footprint, and the UK public sector holds the country’s largest property portfolio by a considerable distance. But with new, clear efficiency guidelines now regulating some of the UK’s biggest emitters, we should begin to see a visible difference in our united journey towards decarbonisation. And yet, there’s still a long way to go. For public buildings to achieve Net Zero targets faster and more efficiently, they can’t simply rely on government guidance. Given the sheer size of the estate, plus the significantly aging portfolio, collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital. Private companies have so much expertise to share. Private companies understand the nuances associated with unique sectors like healthcare and education, and know how to roll out innovative, cutting-edge technologies at scale, whilst meeting ambitious sustainability targets.
Plainly, the public sector has a wealth to learn
from private companies when it comes to smart technologies and sustainability. So, here’s how we can encourage collaboration of ideas, resources, and innovation to secure public building decarbonisation—before it’s too late.
Plan with a partner and set sustainability targets
New sustainability research says most private UK businesses have already set targets to reduce emissions, and the public sector has the potential to do the same. To begin their journey towards Net Zero, those responsible for the public sector estate must first consider their goals and priorities, so they can develop a plan of action and measure and track results accordingly. Do they want to prioritise using energy more efficiently? Buy energy smarter? Optimise enterprise data? Drive sustainable organisational growth? Each of these objectives presents a number of challenges, especially when tackled alone. But by partnering with a specialist consultant or partner, managers enjoy expert support with every step: identifying efficiency opportunities, crafting funding strategies, procuring the tools required to maintain and optimise efficiencies, and much more. Using a trusted sustainability partner throughout the planning stage ensures public money is spent in the right way, and helps the building achieve long-term sustainability goals at pace. A good place to begin a search for a partner is the Public Sector Sustainability Association (PSSA), a network for those with a common
interest in sustainability, including private sector companies committed to supporting public organisations on their sustainability journeys. The University of Nottingham’s partnership with Schneider Electric is an example of this public- private sector collaboration. As a result of this partnership, which aimed to cut CO2 footprint while reducing energy costs, smart building management software was recommended and installed, which oversees campus energy use and optimises building operations to maximise efficiency and sustainability. And with instant results such as a 5% reduction in energy consumption, a 75% improvement in renewable energy control, and a payback period of just 7-10 years, the benefits of private consultancy were quickly justified.
Overhaul old buildings to become smart and sustainable
The University of Nottingham is just one example of ‘retrofitting’, perhaps the biggest task facing the public sector. It’s estimated that 80% of today’s UK public buildings will still be in use by 2050, and with many built before even basic energy regulations were in place, urgent transformation is required before they can achieve any kind of meaningful efficiency targets. But while we can’t undo the mistakes of the past (tearing down and replacing each unsustainable building would be an ecological disaster in itself), there are fortunately a handful of effective improvements that public building managers can implement, with the help of a sustainability partner. In 2021, only a third (32.8%) of UK buildings have switched to a renewable energy supplier, and two out of five don’t plan to switch for at least three more years. Changing suppliers and investing in simple energy-efficient equipment (such as LED lights) would go a long way towards sustainability. But research shows that for nine in 10 properties, physical retrofitting won’t be enough—they’ll need to be digitally retrofitted in order to meet Net Zero. Digital retrofitting means using intelligent technology to track, optimise and govern building-wide energy usage. Connected to the IoT, these software management systems perform analysis to provide actionable insights into real-time property performance. Building conditions such as occupancy, temperature and air quality are monitored to automatically
22 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2022
adjust and optimise energy consumption and occupant comfort. With the right technology and guidance, these improvements can be integrated within existing infrastructure, meaning any public property can be digitally retrofitted into a smart, sustainable building fit for a Net Zero future.
Leverage transformative technology in the beginning of new builds
While brand-new public buildings are likely to form a small proportion of the overall estate, it’s key that the few that are required adopt sustainable construction methods, bake in intelligent design, and are Net Zero in both build and operation from the very start. Building Information Modelling (BIM) software is now crucial to achieving near-guaranteed efficiency when developing new properties. Advanced levels of BIM allow users to plan, design and even virtually build a model of their new construction from concept to completion, testing projected levels of cost and sustainability throughout the project’s entire lifecycle. Public property teams and their partners can therefore make stronger design decisions to improve building energy performance, and accurately predict the building’s success against Net Zero targets long before they break real-life ground. New public buildings must also integrate AI capabilities to leverage otherwise inaccessible optimisation processes, like the under-construction Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. Run by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, the hospital will use smart energy supply software to track how much energy is generated and consumed, set energy reduction targets and adjust for continuous efficiency improvements, highlight unused system capacity to avoid overbuilding or spending, and provide building stakeholders with key energy performance data via kiosk displays.
It’s examples like this that give me great hope for the future of the UK’s sustainability. With the new Net Zero Estate Playbook, a range of willing consultancy partners and intelligent technology now all at our fingertips, public building managers have everything they need to transform the UK’s public estates — and country as a whole — and make an outstanding contribution to achieving our Net Zero 2050 commitment. So, let’s get started.
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