Digital and networked applications are an essential part of our everyday and working world. In the building sector, networking is the key to greater energy efficiency.
The availability of data, deep learning, artificial intelligence methods and communication between machines (M2M) enable systems that reliably optimise complex processes in buildings. Such systems are in a continuous learning process, getting better with each iteration and reaching a level of autonomy that makes human intervention unnecessary.
These technologies are driving the energy transition. They help optimise energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions. Predictively controlled systems, for example, enable enormous savings in building operation. Producers such as operators of district heating networks also benefit from the predictive optimisation of consumers, because they can optimise production and distribution on the basis of predicted consumption.
Networked consumption meters, sensors and actuators in the building are indispensable components of such systems. These enable intelligent data-based optimisation of the technical systems in the building and thus contribute to achieving the energy and climate protection goals.
Since CO2 emissions are now an important item in risk management, the purchase of “green” electricity has grown strongly. However, fossil fuels still dominate the heating and air-conditioning of buildings. As long as we cannot replace them completely, we should reduce their consumption. In the building sector, it is now possible to reduce energy consumption with little technical effort, save costs and thus reduce risk positions.
Digital systems can now be retrofitted at low cost, with little structural intervention and during ongoing operation. Those responsible should start with an inventory and create an implementation concept on this basis. This guarantees that the measures can be implemented within the planned time and cost framework. It also helps to avoid surprises and facilitates communication with contractors.
Once sensors and metering infrastructure have been installed and data collected, analysis can begin. Balancing and optimising energy consumption and CO2 emissions are greatly simplified by digital networking.
In order to uncover potential savings, professional software is required in addition to coordinated data collection. Modern energy management software offers a wide range of functions to cleanse the data, e.g. from weather influences and to detect anomalies. Outstanding solutions already offer multi-dimensional analyses and enable data to be analysed across buildings and comparisons to be made across portfolios.
From the results, targeted renovation and optimisation measures can be derived and prioritised. Such tools are indispensable for identifying and selecting the measures with the greatest impact when resources are limited. Since building up the required expertise is expensive, many organisations rely on experts and purchase this service as a service.
For organisations with real estate portfolios, the focus is on building-specific optimisation measures. However, other areas such as mobility can also be seamlessly integrated into an energy management system. Such a system ensures that climate protection and energy efficiency projects are continuously developed and implemented.
Digital sensor networks for data collection and data processing and aggregation by an energy management system make it possible to maintain an overview, generate important data for the sustainability report and make decisions that sustainably and permanently reduce CO2 emissions.
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