Buildings are responsible for up to 37% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide emissions, and around half of today’s building stock will likely be still in use in 2050. In order to meet 2030 emissions targets, measures must be implemented to upgrade existing buildings.

While digital solutions may be the answer to avoid risk and successfully achieve decarbonisation, it’s important to note that digital maturity, or the building’s readiness to accommodate digital capabilities to reduce carbon emissions, energy usage and operational costs, must be taken into consideration. Those that lack digital maturity are poised to become obsolete.

In this article, you will discover why a digital-first strategy is the best way to future-proof buildings and how AI can help achieve sustainability targets.

Implementing Digital Solutions for Sustainable Buildings

Although the building industry is already making significant investments in equipment upgrades, the rate of renovation must be accelerated to meet decarbonisation targets.

Digital and electric solutions can cut carbon emissions by up to 70%. However, without digital maturity, upgrades in capital equipment will deliver more modest benefits for the same cost. Meanwhile, integrating automation and digital control can provide valuable insights that can guide investment decisions and produce the best outcomes.

Looking ahead, the key components of ideal decarbonisation solutions include the usage of 100% clean energy, electrification of the combustion process and achieving efficiency through capital investment and operational improvements.

However, it’s important to note that embracing a digital-first strategy that optimises existing building equipment goes beyond decarbonisation. It also extends the life of the equipment and improves the quality of experience for occupants by making the spaces safer, healthier and more resilient. Furthermore, in terms of operations, digital solutions can be implemented across various building types with minimal disruptions.

Achieving Zero-Emission Buildings with AI

When discussing digitisation, artificial intelligence (AI) is another hot topic that gets a lot of attention. In the building industry, AI can be leveraged to achieve zero-emissions due to the following factors:

●      AI can optimise energy usage. By analysing vast amounts of data from building management systems, AI can optimise energy usage in real-time. It can adjust the heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting of the building dynamically using internal building data such as the level of occupancy and external data such as the weather outside. This means AI can significantly reduce energy consumption and control greenhouse gas emissions.

●      AI can be used for preventive maintenance. Advanced AI algorithms can predict when building equipment will require maintenance or repair. By ensuring that systems operate in their best condition at all times, AI can prevent wasting energy due to equipment malfunctions.

●      AI can help manage renewable energy better. AI can integrate renewable energy sources into buildings and manage the distribution of renewable energy effectively. Because it can forecast energy supply and demand, AI can help maximise the use of clean energy.

●      AI can track and analyse a building’s carbon footprint. With AI’s power to analyse huge amounts of data, AI tools can be used for the analysis of a building’s emissions and identifying areas for improvement. By gaining insights into this, building owners will be able to develop and implement strategies to reduce carbon footprints in alignment with their zero-emission targets.

●      AI can help ensure regulatory compliance. Regulations such as Local Law 97 in New York City require significant reductions in building-related emissions. Through AI, compliance can be more easily achieved at a lower cost compared with traditional retrofitting. It can also help owners leverage government incentives for energy efficiency.

●      AI is easily scalable and flexible. AI solutions can be implemented on single buildings or entire portfolios. Because it can be customised according to a specific building’s needs and conditions, AI can be a flexible tool that can help owners achieve zero-emissions targets.

Leveraging Innovation to Achieve Net Zero Buildings

The world is at an interesting time where the future of the building industry hinges on people’s ability to innovate and integrate digital solutions and AI. As countries strive to achieve net-zero targets and meet ambitious policy aspirations, they will inevitably turn to technology to make progress cost-effectively.

By leveraging advanced analytics, automation, digital control systems and AI, building owners and operators can optimise energy usage, integrate renewable energy seamlessly, reduce carbon emissions, boost operational efficiency and achieve regulatory compliance more efficiently. Besides accelerating decarbonisation and bringing all these benefits, the integration of digital solutions also enhances the comfort, productivity and cost savings of occupants.

Future-proofing buildings requires a fundamental shift in the way people think about building design, construction and management. It is a continuous cycle of innovation. It also requires embracing change and collaboration among policymakers, building owners, operators, technology providers and other stakeholders. With innovation as a tool and ESG frameworks as guides, we can collectively create resilient, adaptive and human-centric sustainable buildings that contribute to the well-being of both the environment and people.

Posted 31 Jul 2024