FMJ EXTRA | White Paper 10 Predictions For Smart Building Technology in 2021 and Beyond
heating is one of the largest producers of CO2 and electrification is a cleaner alternative. As such, capturing the power of the all-digital, all-electric world is vital in the fight against climate change. According to Verdantix’s 10 Predictions for Smart Building Technology in 2021 and Beyond, “building electrification will gain momentum, through corporate energy management strategies.” Federal governments have announced investing in electric buildings as a top priority. The U.S., for example, is supporting efficiency upgrades and electrification in buildings, wider use of heat pumps and induction stoves, and adoption of modern energy codes for new buildings to reach key targets. These governments will also invest in technologies to reduce emissions associated with construction, including for high-performance electrified buildings. One of the benefits of electrified buildings is that sensors, metering and monitoring can help measure energy consumption, and software can be deployed to design, manage and automate energy use to reduce or eliminate waste. It can also create healthier working environments by ensuring proper air circulation and consistent humidity levels. Plus, the benefits of an electric building are not saved for new construction — upgrades can be made retroactively so current properties can better meet occupants’ needs. 2. Partnerships and policy. Climate change is not something that can be fixed, but is an ongoing effort that needs to balance the desire to move forward as a society with the need to protect our environment and health. Stopping the impacts of climate change, however, cannot be achieved by the work of one person, company or country. It also requires the support of industry groups and governments. Having policies at the highest level of government is critical, but often smaller, local government entities can enact change quicker. According to the aforementioned
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predictions from Verdantix, there is a trend toward building electrification “being driven by country-level carbon reduction targets, the rise of solar and EVs, and regulation in U.S. cities banning gas hook-ups in new construction. In 2021 the trend will gain new momentum, as firms accelerate programs to decarbonize their heating systems and look to benefit from the strong business case for using heat pumps to heat their buildings.” At a minimum, all required government standards must be met, but it is also important that organizations use the newest data to help drive voluntary changes. It is through this extra step that FMs can become better global citizens and create a healthier environment for occupants. 3. Vision to Impact. Making changes to long-standing practices is not easy and does not happen overnight. It requires commitment from the entire organization and a clear roadmap that incorporates a holistic approach and lays out concrete goals. While not comprehensive, fundamental steps from vision to impact include: defining success, setting targets, deploying a program and sustaining results. Another often overlooked best practice is having one person leading the charge when it comes to developing and leading sustainability and safety programs — it provides a level of accountability that is necessary to drive initiatives forward that otherwise can get lost among other business priorities. Where we are, and where we want to go COVID-19 and global warming — these two seismic challenges will undoubtedly continue to impact many parts of everyday life. This includes the way buildings are designed, built and operated. The good news is that the technology and resources are out there to create greener, healthier and smarter buildings of the future in a cost-effective manner. For many, however, the biggest hurdle is simply making these initiatives a priority.
Companies that make sustainability and safety a part of every decision will not only be doing their part to make the world a better place, they will also be creating a differentiator from their competitors and setting themselves up for long-term success. FMJ
Luis D’Acosta leads the global digital energy line of business, responsible for reimagining the vision for buildings of the future and accelerating the digitalization of power distribution through the implementation of new technologies solutions such as IoT, software and cloud solutions for building management. As an electrical engineer with more than 25 years of experience in the electric power industry, D’Acosta brings diverse knowledge and leadership expertise to his role. He is passionate about customer service, innovation and developing teams that deliver exceptional value. W W W. I F M A . O R G / F M J
