Energy Efficiency – How tech is helping commercial real estate move towards sustainability

Mr Dinesh Semwal, MD at Ensavior Technologies talks about the different ways that cleantech is making commercial real estate more energy efficient

Green buildings have captured much of the world’s attention and for good. From prefabricated buildings to smart buildings that help conserve energy, sustainable practices are also being introduced in architecture. These practices are now finding their place in commercial buildings as well. As buildings especially commercial buildings have been cited as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, employing efficiency measures to reduce the consumption of energy is an effective way to fight climate change.

The augmentation of IoT and technological advancements have allowed commercial building owners to embrace sustainability. Tech is paving the way forward to smarter, greener, more efficient buildings. A few such examples are –

UVGI – Tech-based solutions such as a UVGI (Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation) System can be installed in Air Handling Units of HVAC. The reason for installing it is to overcome the usual problems encountered with Air conditioning and Refrigeration Systems, commissioned without any UVGI. Solar thermal technological advancements such as transpired air collectors allow us to use renewable sunlight as a source of heat and energy.  A lessened need to rely on expensive HVAC systems is better for the environment and is cost-effective as well.

Automation-driven HVAC – AI is a boon when it comes to optimizing energy consumption. Ai-powerred solutions for commercial buildings fitted with sensors can improve the HVAC system which can one of the greatest sources of energy inefficiency. Enabling remote monitoring to maintain indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption is now possible with AI-powered tools. With advanced data accumulation and algorithms, commercial buildings have become more dynamic with access to real-time factors. This also helps in taking preventive measures and saving energy waste in the long run.

Commercial buildings have multiple tenants who have different energy consumption depending on their individual businesses. Smart systems can help optimise energy consumption throughout the space.

Smart grid – One of the key ways that tech can help commercial real estate become greener is investing in SDSS which stands for a smart decision support system. This is a technology that integrates smart grid big analytics and cloud computing in order to achieve building energy efficiency. It utilizes the energy consumption data of a building. It is expected to identify the energy consumption patterns of a building and foretell the future usage and how can it be optimized. This will not only aid in sustainability but also cost efficiency. Space owners/renters etc can decipher costs by using the system to optimize operations like lighting systems air conditioning, heating, ventilation etc. Green Smart buildings thrive with the application of big data analytics and cloud computing technology to increase sustainable building energy efficiency. SDSS is the future.

Smart sensors – COVID-19 completely changed the work culture with more people working remotely. This trend has continued in the post-crisis world also with most companies opting for remote working or a hybrid more personal structure. This is where smart sensors can come in handy as they detect office occupancy.  Understanding occupancy and deploying energy accordingly can make a huge difference in energy efficiency by optimizing lighting and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems etc.

With smart sensors, energy management is more efficient, quick and intelligent.

These seniors also help in predictive measures and regular upkeep of the equipment which eventually saves both cost and energy in the long run. Facilities managers can keep a tab on and adjust systems accordingly to ensure that there’s no unnecessary overuse of energy.

Efficient light system – Similar to thermostat technology, smart light systems of efficient light systems use IoT. The lights are connected to a motion detector which helps in energy conservation. This is essentially great of a commercial real state as areas without any occupants will not stay unnecessarily lit. Besides this, the smart technology is connected to a smartphone or a tablet which aids in controlling indoor light systems remotely as well. LED lights are also a great way to save energy. LED have an average of 90% efficiency rate, making them 80% more efficient than conventional incandescent lights. They also last longer.

Sustainable consumption is the key to the future of architecture for both commercial and personal real estate.

(The author is Mr Dinesh Semwal, MD at Ensavior Technologies and the views expressed in this article are his own)