Does Smart Technology Hold The Key To Creating A More Sustainable Future For Buildings?
Elliot Chmielinski, Channel Manager, Projects, Somfy UK, explores how investing in innovative technologies can help businesses reduce energy consumption.
Decision makers across the globe are becoming increasingly aware of the need to shift towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable initiatives. There is a greater focus on creating greener ways of doing things, including the design and construction of buildings, such as homes, offices and other workspaces.
Why is this? The impact of climate change is a global issue. Governments and organisations are more focused than ever on the how to combat it as well as the benefits of embracing technology and using natural sources of energy.
For example, The European Commission and its member states have committed to the development of more renewable and less polluting energy systems for public buildings. It has pledged to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 through schemes such as its Revised Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive as well as encouraging countries across Europe to invest in new technologies such solar power to increase efficiency.
Awareness of how natural energy sources can reduce buildings carbon footprints is growing. Building owners and architects are embracing innovative solutions to improve the environment in which we work and live.
But are we doing enough? A recent report by the Climate Change Committee, suggests that heat and humidity in the workplace are having a significant impact on employee productivity. This is where technology can help. Solutions such as smart solar shading have become increasingly popular across Europe as we look for more sustainable ways of powering buildings.
Using Light To Our Advantage
We live in a world dominated by automation and artificial intelligence. Technology promotes a more comfortable, convenient lifestyle with a constant drive to find solutions that are more efficient, effective and affordable.
Solutions such as smart solar shading use intelligent technology to control external and/or internal shading devices. It receives real-time environmental input, for example, from sun and wind sensors and combines this with pre-set data based on the requirements of the building, taking into account the geographical location and façade positions.
Experts suggest that these types of technologies can substantially reduce our dependence on cooling systems and can therefore help shrink the environmental footprint of a business. The ability to manage our exposure to natural light, by harnessing its benefits and reducing its negative aspects such as glare or excessive heat could prove vital in the battle against climate change.
Utilising automated, intelligently controlled technology can regulate how much light buildings let in on a minute-by-minute basis, optimising our working environment.
The Business Benefits Of ‘Going Green’
Developing smarter, greener buildings can have a significant impact on your business. A more sustainable office space can deliver a reduction in operating costs, a positive return on investment and an increased market value for your building. It can also boost your company profile, promoting a positive image to current and future employees.
Experts believe businesses who go green could reduce their overall energy usage by up to 50%, decrease carbon emissions by as much as 35% and increase asset values by 7%.
This has led to a significant shift from businesses toward sustainability and employee well-being in recent years. So much so that a 2020 survey conducted by CBRE found that 41% of business occupiers in the UK reported an increased interest in buildings with WELL or sustainable features.
The Benefits Of Technology For Building Owners
There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of working and employee well-being is now at the forefront of building owners and construction companies’ minds. Even though we’ve been forced to adapt to working from home, research from Knight Frank suggests that only 8% of employees want to do it five days a week, so creating building space that is sustainable and suitable for hybrid working will be even more appealing to renters.
According to Future Workplace’s 2020 survey over 1,600 employees ranked access to natural light as one of their number one desires for a workplace environment. In comparison it has been proven that dependence on artificial light can strain our eyes and leave staff feeling tired or worn out, so ensuring buildings meet these requirements is now a key consideration for architects. The fact that technology allows for systems to be automated means we can regulate how much light we’re exposed to, which makes it even more appealing to building owners.
Imagine, as the sun moves across the sky an intelligent control system reacts accordingly and adjusts the shading in the relevant rooms within your building. The shading can help reduce overheating, therefore lessening the need for air conditioning. Employees can even apply personal preferences to minimise glare, control light levels and always ensure a comfortable temperature.
However, it’s not just employees who benefit. A key feature of using technology is the fact that it can communicate with other smart building services, such as lighting and heating, through an intelligent management system. This provides facilities managers with invaluable data which can help create a more sustainable, efficient environment that can substantially reduce energy costs in commercial buildings. Intelligently managing light and embracing can enhance employee productivity and boost well-being.
As the climate continues to change and the planet gets warmer it’s time we worked with nature to make workspaces more productive and sustainable.
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