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Digital technologies play a crucial role in the design, construction, and operation of energy-efficient buildings. These technologies can help optimize energy usage, improve occupant comfort, and reduce environmental impact. Let's look at some of the technologies......

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Tools like energy modeling software assist architects and engineers in designing sustainable and energy-efficient buildings from the start.

IES Building Energy Modelling Software

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) with the IES Virtual Environment software forecasts CO2 emissions, peak demand, energy costs, and the generation of renewable energy. The IESVE software tools offer a wide range of assessment kinds, including energy efficiency, comfort, ventilation, HVAC performance, and optimisation, through their whole building energy simulation analysis capabilities.

The APACHE Simulation in IESVE Software

The APACHE engine is a whole-building energy simulation engine which has many capabilities:

Captures building performance metrics for energy, water, carbon, cost, comfort.

APACHE automates the creation of energy code baseline models for compliance comparisons.

Simulation control for loads calculations or energy modeling

The design tool for electrification and decarbonization is suitable for all projects in the built environment.

Barriers:

IESVE Software will cost a business money to install.

Training and upskilling is required to allow adoption of the software

There may also be issues with accessing certain data and upgrading and upskilling of IT may be required to support this.

Case Study:

The Iris at San Ysidro in San Diego used the IESVE Software to deliver a high performance and climate conscious building.

References:

IES, 2023. www.iesve.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.iesve.com/software/building-energy-modeling
[Accessed 01 November 2023].

IES, 2023. www.iesve.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.iesve.com/products/case-studies/10241/iris-san-ysidro
[Accessed 01 November 2023].

(IES, 2023)

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https://www.iesve.com/software/apache/apache-app.jpg

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Internet of Things (IoT) sensors monitor various building parameters, including temperature, humidity, occupancy, and air quality, allowing for real-time adjustments to optimize energy usage and occupant comfort. The application of these sensors can help with making a building more energy efficient.

IoT devices are necessary for keeping costs and energy usage down as they allow the home owner to track their energy usage in real-time. They allow for Smart lighting, demand-driven heating and cooling which can improve comfort in homes and offices, at the same time reducing energy consumption.

IoT devices include smart thermostats, smart lighting and smart outlets to regulate indoor temperatures and remotely control electricity sources for energy saving and making buildings more sustainable. The implementation of these devices in the home is known as creating a 'smart-home'.

These devices would be most suitable for use in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.

Barriers:

These smart devices can be quite costly to install in your home.

A barrier associated with this piece of technology is the risk of cyber attacks so security during set-up is essential.

Cost Data:

According to research carried out by Chill, installing common smart devices in your home could cost over €13,000, based on average prices. Smart light bulbs will cost you on average around €50 to purchase and install but can save you significant amounts on your electricity bill.

Case Study:

The Smart Leicester Family Home

Security cameras, a media room, controlled blinds, smart lighting, and a gym with a Peloton bike incorporated are all features of the house. The system is simple to use and straightforward, as the family can manage all gadgets using their cellphones or a touch panel located on the wall. This family-friendly smart house in Leicestershire meets their requirements and preferences by offering comfort, convenience, and security while also saving on energy usage.

References:

Heredia, R., 2021. www.zipitwireless.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.zipitwireless.com/blog/what-are-iot-sensors-types-uses-and-examples
[Accessed 01 November 2023].

Art of Smart, 2023. www.aos-group.co.uk. [Online]
Available at: https://aos-group.co.uk/case_studies/leicester-smart-home/
[Accessed 02 November 2023].

O'Reilly, I., 2021. www.chill.ie. [Online]
Available at: https://www.chill.ie/blog/the-true-cost-of-a-smart-home/
[Accessed 02 November 2023].

Jain, A., 2022. Green IoT for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability. Green IoT for Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability.

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Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3)

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Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3)

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The Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) was created by Building Transparency is a free, cloud-based tool that helps users choose carbon-smart materials and reduce levels of embodied carbon.

The Embodied Carbon Calculator helps measure the embodied carbon in materials going into buildings.

Using the free EC3 tool, architects, engineers, and contractors can be proactive and make informed choices, selecting materials with the lowest climate impact.

The calculator will compare the carbon intensity of different locally available materials that all meet the required specifications.

The EC3 tool is suitable for choosing lower carbon materials on any type of project within the construction industry.

Barriers:

Training and awareness initiatives are needed to educate industry stakeholders about the tool as many will be unaware or incapable of using it effectively and need to learn how to use it to benefit from it.

Incomplete or outdated data can limit the tool's usefulness and its output may not be accurate.

Case Study:

Microsoft’s redeveloped headquarters in Redmond, WA.

Microsoft was the first large corporate user of the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool used to identify lower-carbon building materials.

Using the EC3 tool, Microsoft reduced the embodied carbon of its campus-redevelopment project by nearly 30%.

References:

Bouchard, M., 2023. www.constructionblog.autodesk.com. [Online]
Available at: https://constructionblog.autodesk.com/embodied-carbon-in-construction-calculator-ec3-and-autodesk-construction-cloud/
[Accessed 02 November 2023].

Microsoft, 2023. Building a sustainable campus in Redmond, Washington: Microsoft.

https://news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/370/2021/07/MSFT_REF_Sustainability_OnePager_July-R03V02.pdf

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Reference:

https://carbonleadershipforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EC3-image1.png

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Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)

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Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)

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A Building Energy Management System (BEMS/BMS) enables owners or users to have visibility and control over their buildings energy usage and environmental conditions from anywhere.

They work by intelligently monitoring and controlling your building  services such as Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Lighting. Efficiency is achieved by continuously maintaining the correct balance between your operating requirements and external/internal environmental conditions.

With a BEMS, there are opportunities to reduce energy waste and make operational savings.

A BEMS is most suitable to industrial or commercial buildings that have a lot of different energy or HVAC systems in place in different areas.

Barriers:

BEMS generate a large amount of data that needs to be managed and analyzed

EMS need to be integrated with existing building systems and infrastructure which can often be quite challenging.

Data:

Recent research indicates that up to 19% of a building's energy use is for lighting, and between 40 and 52 percent goes towards heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Customers can control up to 75% of the energy usage in their building with the use of a BEMS.

Case Study:

ACIS™ is a BMS tool launched by Airedales.

Airedale’s Building Management System, ACIS™ (BMS) was used at the purpose designed data center for Brighton Digital Exchange, New England House, Brighton.

References:

Airedale Airconditioning, 2015. www.airedale.com. [Online]
Available at: https://www.airedale.com/case-studies/acis-provides-the-big-picture-at-brighton-digital-exchange/
[Accessed 02 November 2023].

TREND, 2023. www.buildings.honeywell.com. [Online]
Available at: https://buildings.honeywell.com/gb/en/brands/our-brands/trend-controls/solutions/bems
[Accessed 02 November 2023].

Specifier Review, 2018. www.specifierreview.com. [Online]
Available at: https://specifierreview.com/2018/09/19/building-energy-management-systems/
[Accessed 02 November 2023].