Smart and energy-efficient buildings are the future

by Tanaya Wagle

They have also to be safe and people-centric.

Looking back at the past decade, the world has experienced some scorching temperatures. The island of Sicily in Italy registered a temperature of 48.8° C on 11 August 2021. In Tokyo, Japan, which is known for its summer heat and humidity, the number of days with a temperature of 33° C or higher has more than doubled since the 1960s, according to a Greenpeace report. Elsewhere, the USA, Australia, and the Asia Pacific region have had to contend with raging fires, cyclones, hurricanes and floods, that are increasingly becoming the new normal. Emissions are 62% higher now than in the 1990s. Buildings typically generate nearly 40% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year. Of the total emissions, building operations are responsible for 28% annually, while building materials and construction are responsible for an additional 11% annually. Without decarbonisation of buildings, on a global scale, these buildings will still be responsible for CO2 emissions in 2040. Achieving zero emissions from existing buildings will require interventions to accelerate energy upgrades. According to a UNEP report, ‘A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings and Communities’, investing in more resilient infrastructure could save humanity USD 4.2 trillion from climate change damages. A modern city demands intelligent combinations of data, people and technology to create inclusive and sustainable solutions. Smart buildings are increasingly taking the lead in the development of smart cities and are widely recognised as essential tools in meeting today’s many challenges, including achieving net zero targets, security, and demand for greater interoperability. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that smart buildings can save 230 exajoules (EJ) in cumulative energy through 2040. This can lower the global energy consumption by up to 10%. To reduce Singapore’s greenhouse gas emissions and achieve its target goal of 80% green buildings by 2030, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) launched the Super Low Energy Building (SLEB) Smart Hub, a centralised, national, digital database that includes green technologies and powerful tools for data analytics. Currently, the building sector accounts for approximately 20% of Singapore’s emissions. As we move into the new normal, there will also be a greater focus on health and safety. More buildings are likely to be upgraded with products that function using contactless technology, such as hands-free doors, voice-activated elevators, and phone-controlled door locks.

Paya Lebar Quarter (PLQ) by Lendlease, comprising three office towers, a retail mall and a residential component, achieved a BCA Green Mark Platinum rating, for the non-residential buildings. PLQ’s sustainability vision focuses on creating an active, green and engaged environment and has incorporated various features to efficiently use resources throughout the buildings’ life cycle. With the installation of high efficiency water fittings along with monitoring and leak detection systems, the non-residential buildings expect to save over 40% of water annually during operations, and achieve 30% in energy savings. The energy savings stem from a variety of design solutions, from high performance facades to the use of light emitting diodes (LED) and more efficient air-conditioning systems.

Simplifying complex processes while enabling new forms of collaboration, artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) are powerful drivers for transforming commercial buildings into intelligent, proactive living and working worlds. Working at breakneck speed, these innovative digital solutions boost efficiency through continuous analyses with the help of intelligent technologies, management software systems, and sensors. Arming operators with information and data, Siemens’ Desigo CC allows for the easy development of short- and long-term energy strategies. The integrated smart building management platform offers a wide range of features that enable operators to monitor and optimise the energy performance of buildings and, at the same time, provide comfort, health, and safety to the occupants. Equipped with powerful graphics and floor plan visualisations, the platform presents a unified view and control of all connected devices. With easy cloud connection, it is accessible to operators anytime, anywhere, without the need for a VPN connection.

After electricity, water and gas, compressed air is often referred to as the fourth utility that offers energy savings and environmental benefits. In modern buildings, the regulation of air flow is a crucial and intrinsic part of heat

PLQ’s sustainability vision focuses on creating an active, green and engaged environment.

Equipped with powerful graphics and floor plan visualisations, Siemens’ Desigo CC platform presents a unified view and enables control of all connected devices.

and moisture control. An efficient compressed air system can save energy, reduce maintenance, and avoid damage due to moisture. BOGE, a leading air compressor systems provider, says that its BOGE bluekat Converter can ensure the flow of clean, dry, and oil-free compressed air. The catalytic converter is said to actively filter and break down particles into water, CO2 and silicate, reducing the production of carbon monoxide (CO) to a level <0.1%, whilst also reducing bacteria and viruses. Effectively saving energy, the heat exchanger uses the high compressed air temperature from the converter tank to preheat the incoming compressed air to a high level. The energy consumption of the BOGE BC series is said to be a low 0.01-0.005 kWh/Nm. Facing a loss of process reliability, Bette, a German specialist for exclusive bathroom objects, replaced all its existing compressors with BOGE screw compressors, microfilters and the BOGE bluekat Converter. Incorporating heat recovery as an integral part of its solution, BOGE boosted cost savings and reduced the overall environmental footprint at Bette. Through the new system, the heat generated as a by-product of producing compressed air was used to not only heat the manufacturing areas but also warm up the administration building. This heat recovery provided additional support to the cogeneration unit, reducing the running time of the natural gas boiler by around 30%. Similarly at Armitage Shanks’ factory in Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK, BOGE was able to slash energy costs by 27% and achieve carbon emission savings of around USD 4,856.73 a year.

Transforming windows and skylights from an energy liability to an energy source, electrochromic glass is the next major advancement in energy-efficient window technology. Saint-Gobain, the French multinational corporations says that with its SageGlass, architects and builders can resolve solar-control challenges without sacrificing aesthetics, design or energy-efficiency. A smart solution for buildings grappling with solar control, the electrochromic coated glass can block sunlight on hot days and harness the sun’s energy on cold days, while dramatically reducing energy demand and the need for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In addition to reducing the up-front material costs of shading systems, the dynamic glass is said to decrease building operating costs by reducing overall energy loads by an average of 20%, and peak energy demand by up to 26% over a building’s life cycle. With its advanced proprietary algorithms, users can operate automatic control settings to maximise solar energy and minimise light, glare, energy use and colour rendering.

With technology advancing at an extraordinary pace, applying best practices in the design and construction of buildings is just as critical to meeting occupier requirements. It takes smart thinking to leverage innovative technology to help people work with greater flexibility and efficiency in a more sustainable environment. “The industry is evolving but today’s global demands will continue to push its transformation. To succeed as a developer, owner and operator, you will need to embrace the power of the all-digital, all-electric world, with a more sustainable, resilient, efficient and people-centric building”, said Mr Nalin Amunugama, General Manager of BOGE Kompressoren Asia Pacific. “The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased the need for better air quality and more effective ventilation in buildings to minimise the survival rate of viruses”, he added. (Ms Tanaya Wagle is a freelance writer covering environment and sustainability issues)

The energy consumption of the BOGE BC series is said to be a low 0.01 0.005 kWh/Nm.