Equipping buildings with effective tools and solutions for reaching sustainability goals
Mohammed El Husseini, sales director, Honeywell Building Technologies, Middle East, Turkey and Africa
In the new informed and connected economy, organizations are increasingly looking to embrace opportunities to drive greater efficiency, resiliency and accountability. As we see the removal of energy subsidies, regional governments become increasingly focused on reaching sustainability goals, and the role of digitalization for the built environment increases.
Intensified awareness around sustainability is also driven at an international level. Many countries in the Middle East are looking to reduce their carbon footprint while trying to fulfil their commitments to global climate change action goals. Energy consumption in commercial buildings is a significant issue, with buildings accounting for more than 36% of global energy consumption and nearly 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions. To support government agendas of carbon-reduction, organizations are installing technologies in buildings that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by essentially using less energy.
Digital Step by Step
Smart devices and solutions implemented during a building’s construction phase can lead to an in-built energy efficient infrastructure. Additionally, consulting a professional energy service company (ESCO) for recommendations to create a smarter, more efficient building can help certify appropriate measures are taken at the optimal time. This would include the design and implementation of energy savings projects, retrofitting, energy infrastructure outsourcing, as well as risk management.
Building owners and operators are increasingly looking for ways to make buildings more energy efficient to drive resilience through cost-saving smart technology. With the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as advanced Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and data analytics, more informed and strategic decisions can be taken to drive energy saving and sustainability outcomes. For example, in many large buildings where larger cooling systems are required, multiple chillers can be in operation at any one time. With advanced analytics, more informed decisions can be taken so that one or more chillers can be on standby to reduce energy consumption without compromising occupant comfort or efficient operations.
Proven Solutions
Our Enterprise Performance Management platform, Honeywell Forge, can deliver impressive energy efficiencies through improved management of building assets. Honeywell Forge Energy Optimization is a cloud-based, closed-loop, machine learning solution that continuously studies a building’s energy consumption patterns. This solution supported the United Arab Emirate’s first accredited smart university to achieve double digit energy savings and increased comfort performance. Read more here.
It is of strategic importance to be able to identify where smart technology can be implemented today to serve future sustainability needs through enhancing resilience and efficiency. Digital transformation hasemerged as a critical pillar in enabling enterprise sustainability goals. From curb side to rooftop access, pivoting towards a more efficient and resilient building, or real estate portfolio, is a goal that decision makers within the industry must strive towards.
