Pippa Boothman, IoT champion/expert with 10 years’ experience in the IoT space and VP Marketing & Communications at Disruptive Technologies, discusses the benefits of IoT sensors in making our buildings smarter than ever.
Buildings are a major driver of environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions, with recent record-breaking heatwaves across Europe generating more awareness among the public of the risks associated with inaction. Any optimisation of buildings to make them more sustainable is a big win for the planet, but it’s not just about being greener – IoT sensors also help reduce costs through increased operational efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and improved asset management. In addition, they help create more resilient buildings that are better able to withstand extreme events.
Embracing new technologies provides efficient and cost-effective solutions that significantly boost progress towards net-zero and an improved bottom line.
How can IoT technology make our buildings smarter, more efficient and sustainable?
Smart sensors play a crucial role in optimising buildings. Tiny wireless sensors can be retrofitted to any existing building or asset, meaning any building, old or new, and its operations can be made smarter in minutes.
Proximity, desk occupancy, and motion sensors, for example, measure space occupancy to optimise the use of space and resources. Desk occupancy sensors determine when employees spend the most time in that area and which desks and tables are being used. Likewise, motion and proximity sensors can track when meeting rooms or other more restricted areas are accessed. Combined, this data can determine the possibilities of downsizing, space optimisation, or redesign.
Temperature, humidity, water, and CO2 sensors are combined to manage environmental monitoring, property damage protection, and food waste. For example, a service provider can easily optimise the HVAC and energy use, detect temperature anomalies, prevent mould and water damage, and understand when fridges and freezers aren’t working properly.
Data is the backbone of any optimisation effort. Without data, you cannot identify areas of improvement or track progress. We perform tasks manually, making informed guesses, but we cannot do this at a fast enough rate to have an impact. It is not scalable or sustainable. Our buildings must be more resilient, and to be resilient, we must be able to predict issues before they occur and act quickly when they do occur.
How can businesses achieve net zero goals?
Reports suggest that operational emissions from buildings (lighting, heating, and cooling) account for 28% of carbon emissions globally. There is no doubt energy use in buildings must be optimised, which can only be facilitated through the use of smart sensors and the data they gather. Installing temperature, CO2, proximity, and desk sensors throughout a building provide the necessary data to optimise energy efficiency and identify and correct any issues that are causing significant energy loss.
Understanding how spaces are being used is critical to optimising any building, regardless of whether it’s an office space, hospital or a restaurant. For example, is the HVAC running when nobody is in the building? Is the heating on but the doors and windows left open? Are areas being cleaned even if they haven’t been used? Are the lights left on when no one is in the space?
Every single data point makes a huge difference in energy and resource optimisation, and small adjustments lead to significant reductions in emissions.
Why are technology and data so vital for businesses?
As we move towards an increasingly digitised world, businesses in all industries and sizes are under pressure to invest in technologies that can help manage and control buildings and infrastructure in a more sustainable way.
Sensors and other monitoring solutions can provide a plethora of data that, when used and applied correctly, can be used to form tangible goals and measure progress. However, companies need to be wary of falling into ‘analysis paralysis’. Data is an invaluable resource, but without the expertise and tools to interpret and utilise it properly, businesses may well miss out on opportunities to meet or exceed ESG goals and could potentially lose out on money in the long term.
IoT-enabled buildings are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They offer greater transparency and allow for more efficient energy management. By taking advantage of new technologies, businesses can improve their resilience in the face of climate change and market fluctuations while also reducing their environmental impact, which is a win-win for both the planet and business.
