By Andrew Gordon, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Eaton.
Amid a backdrop of soaring energy prices and growing environmental regulation, facilities managers face a difficult challenge: managing properties in a way that balances value for money with environmental progress.
Rising operating costs are already complicating purchasing decisions according to CBRE, with 77% of corporate real estate leaders prioritising cost and value, and over a quarter citing sustainability considerations too.
The solution? Rewiring our approach to power management in commercial buildings.
It’s time to move past the outdated notion that commercial properties are simply energy consumers. Facilities managers have the means to unlock the untapped potential of these spaces, transforming them into independent, revenue‑generating energy hubs that contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
The Untapped Opportunity: Buildings As A Grid
The opportunity to transform commercial buildings into energy hubs is vast. By integrating renewable energy technologies, energy storage systems and advanced grid solutions, facilities managers can turn their buildings into independent energy producers.
However, we are yet to see Britain’s commercial buildings take steps to achieve this. Currently, only 5% of buildings in the UK (1.3 million) are equipped with solar panels. Even more striking is the fact that more than 90% of these panels are installed on domestic properties.
Here lies a significant opportunity for facilities managers. By installing solar panels on rooftops and combining them with energy storage solutions, facilities managers can capture excess energy during off‑peak hours, storing it for later use. Such a move reduces their building’s reliance on the grid, offering both energy savings and enhanced control over energy consumption.
When deployed effectively, power management technologies are not only cost‑saving measures, but also powerful revenue drivers. Facilities managers can sell stored energy back to the grid when demand peaks. This capability to trade energy not only offsets rising operational costs but also provides an entirely new income stream.
Maximising The Return On Investment
What’s more, integrating renewable energy solutions such as solar power and advanced energy storage systems enhances the attractiveness of commercial properties. Buildings that adopt sustainable technologies are seen as more valuable by tenants, investors, and buyers.
Commercial buildings can also generate revenue through the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. As the demand for EV charging grows, especially in urban areas, commercial buildings with EV charging stations can attract more visitors, whether they’re employees, hotel guests, or shoppers at retail centres. According to some estimates, installing EV charging stations can increase the value of residential properties by up to £5,000 in the UK, a trend that is likely to extend to commercial properties as well.
Accelerating Decarbonisation
Upgrades to commercial buildings cannot deliver financial benefits exclusively, they must also advance environmental progress. Encouragingly, this principle is gaining traction, with 66% of organisations globally planning to increase investment in sustainability performance over the next five years.
With the right power management technologies, including bi‑directional power generation and optimised insulation, facilities managers can reduce energy waste, improve operational efficiency, and cut costs. More importantly, these investments contribute directly to global climate action goals while reducing their own carbon footprint.
Beyond lowering emissions, investing in smart power management technologies also future‑proofs buildings against rising energy prices and tightening environmental regulations.
Rewiring Commercial Buildings
The future of commercial buildings goes far beyond just reducing costs – it’s about transforming them into active participants in the energy ecosystem. Through innovations in solar power, battery storage, and EV infrastructure, buildings can become powerful revenue‑generating assets that support environmental goals.
The opportunity is clear: facilities managers can unlock the full potential of their commercial spaces, turning them into self‑sustaining powerhouses that not only secure the bottom line but also support the transition to a greener future.
