SUSTAINABILITY
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 con-
tactless technology, such as hands-free doors, voice-activated elevators, and phone-controlled door locks.
Optimising building performance 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.
Smart building management platform 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.
Efficient air management 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 THE SINGAPORE ENGINEER October 2021
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