Improving Energy Management
5' read - published June, 1st 2024
With rising energy prices, geopolitical tensions, and growing demand from sectors like data centers and AI, the building industry stands at a pivotal moment. The days when simply adhering to standards like Minergie were sufficient are gone. Today, achieving true energy efficiency requires active energy management and innovative strategies that not only reduce energy consumption but also enable buildings to produce and store power.
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This article explores cutting-edge approaches needed to future-proof buildings, covering advancements in energy generation, storage, energy-saving construction techniques, and retrofitting existing structures. We’ll also examine ways to maximize rooftop potential, adopt efficient cooling strategies, and implement integrated energy management systems, enabling buildings to become self-sustaining, power-generating entities.
Energy Generation - A New Paradigm
Traditionally, buildings have been seen as energy consumers, but this paradigm is shifting. Innovations are transforming buildings into small power plants, with technologies designed to generate energy from facades, interiors, and rooftops.
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For instance, Tabsolar’s solar facade system integrates directly into a building’s exterior, capturing solar heat from sun-exposed walls. Similarly, Solar bricks—translucent glass blocks with embedded solar cells—generate electricity and serve as thermal insulation, ideal for modern, energy-efficient facades. Mitrex’s multifunctional facade cladding combines aesthetics with efficiency, replicating materials like wood or granite while also producing energy, making it ideal for large commercial and residential high-rises.
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In areas where wind complements sunlight, lightweight wind turbines like Airiva’s provide an additional renewable energy source. These turbines are easily installed on facades or rooftops, even in densely populated urban areas. Meanwhile, Enerdrape's modular geothermal panels tap into underground heat sources, such as metro stations and parking lots, to offer sustainable heating and cooling.
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A circular energy cycle can also be created by repurposing waste heat from other sources. For instance, data centers, which consumed around 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2022 (about 2% of global usage), are expected to double their consumption by 2026(1). Infomaniak IV tackles this challenge by powering data centers with renewable energy and using ambient air for cooling. Additionally, it captures and reuses 100% of generated waste heat, redirecting it to heat nearby buildings—potentially serving over 6,000 households annually. Real estate projects like Cully 360 similarly utilize free cooling and tap into Lake Geneva’s thermal potential to power heat pumps, creating energy-efficient networks for interconnected buildings.
Energy Storage
Energy storage is essential for balancing supply and demand, ensuring efficient energy use, and reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. By capturing excess energy from intermittent sources like solar and wind, storage systems allow energy to be available when generation drops or demand spikes.
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Among the latest advancements, Concrete battery technology embeds small amounts of carbon fiber into building materials, transforming concrete structures into megabatteries—an ideal solution for large-scale developments. Sun2Wheel leverages electric vehicle batteries, allowing energy to be stored and retrieved from EVs for building use - a seamless integration for urban settings with EV infrastructure.
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For longer-term storage, Picea’s hydrogen system converts surplus electricity into hydrogen, which is stored in gas bottles for winter use, making it ideal for homes with solar panels seeking year-round energy independence. In larger systems, Polar Night Energy’s sand-based storage retains heat for months with minimal loss, offering an efficient option for small districts. For individual homes or retrofits, Hydrobag provides flexible thermal storage in water, fitting into restricted spaces like crawl spaces for a compact yet effective solution.
Saving energy through construction
Energy-efficient construction meets the growing demand for sustainable buildings by using advanced materials and design to improve insulation, thermal performance, and natural ventilation. This reduces reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, making buildings more energy-efficient and resilient.
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For example, the 2226 building operates without traditional heating or cooling systems by cleverly using waste heat, natural thermal inertia, and sensor-controlled vents to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round. Similarly, the Simone Veil School employs 47 cm-thick straw-insulated walls and nighttime over-ventilation, presenting an eco-friendly, low-tech solution ideal for public spaces in warm climates.
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Retrofit solutions like Isofloc’s cellulose wadding, made from recycled newspapers, provide an efficient, sustainable option for thermal renovation by being injected into existing walls. For new constructions, Capo 425 Lana’s mix of sheep wool and terracotta offers a dual-purpose material, providing both structural strength and thermal insulation. Finally, Nanolope’s phase-change materials (PCM), which absorb and release heat, significantly reduce the need for cooling, making them suitable for integration into walls and ceilings.
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SolarGaps smart blinds generate solar power while reducing energy use. These blinds adjust their angle automatically to capture sunlight and provide shade, helping to regulate indoor temperatures. Similarly, SageGlass windows use electronically tinted glass to eliminate the need for traditional blinds. These windows adjust to environmental conditions, limiting heat or cold from entering the space, which reduces reliance on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
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Water heating accounts for about 18% of household energy use(2). Luniwave’s shower system addresses this by reducing water consumption by 30% and applying behavioral science principles. It encourages users to compete with themselves or others to reduce water use, turning conservation into a motivational challenge rather than an imposed restriction. The system features an easily mountable control screen and a discreet element under the shower mixer tap. Similarly, Gecko’s compact, intelligent water heater recycles heat from wastewater to preheat incoming cold water through a patented heat exchange technology. This system can be installed directly in bathrooms, making it a simple and effective retrofit solution for reducing energy consumption related to water heating.
Cooling spaces efficiently
High-tech solutions aren’t always necessary for keeping spaces cool. Thoughtful architectural design can significantly enhance sustainability while reducing reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems.
For example, the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls' School in the Thar Desert maintains a naturally cool environment without air conditioning, using high ceilings, wind catchers, and well-placed windows to circulate air. Similarly, Siamese Towers employs a double-skin facade that creates a chimney effect, naturally removing heat through the Venturi effect, making it ideal for urban high-rises. CoolAnt, an evaporative cooling system made from terracotta pots and dripping water, provides another innovative way to cool buildings naturally, especially in hot, arid regions.
Retrofitting existing structures
Retrofitting older buildings is a key way to improve energy efficiency without major reconstruction. Upgrades like better insulation and modern systems can significantly reduce energy use, lower costs, and minimize environmental impact.
One effective solution is window films. These allow for increased natural light penetration and heat management without replacing entire windows. For example, 3M window films redirect sunlight deeper into rooms, improving light quality while reducing energy costs. On the more advanced side, EnOB.FLEX electrochromic films allow users to adjust the amount of heat and light passing through glass facades, significantly cutting the need for heating or air conditioning.
For ventilation retrofits, Ventive’s passive system provides an interesting solution by using small, easy-to-install modules that offer heating and cooling with heat recovery. Cozy by Radiator Labs also tackles heating efficiency, improving the distribution of heat from existing radiators through custom-fitted covers and fans, reducing heating costs by up to 30%.
Maximizing rooftop potential
Rooftops are often underutilized, yet they offer enormous potential for energy generation and efficiency. Solar panels, wind turbines, and even green roofs can be integrated into these spaces, turning them into productive assets.
Solskins' sun-tracking solar modules are a prime example, following the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production. These lightweight modules can be installed in unconventional locations, such as sloped rooftops or those unable to support traditional systems. PowerNEST, combining solar panels with vertical wind blades, amplifies energy output by up to sixfold, making it ideal for regions with both strong winds and abundant sunlight. Each unit, measuring 7,2 x 7,2 x 4,8 meters (L x W x H) and weighing 7,5 tonnes, is designed for easy installation, making it well-suited for large-scale industrial projects.
Additionally, green roofs—already known for their cooling effects—can now be implemented on sloped surfaces thanks to Mygreentop's green tiles, allowing more homes and buildings to benefit from natural insulation. The Symbiose project combines solar energy with rooftop bioclimatic greenhouses, capturing solar heat to pre-heat domestic hot water, an efficient setup for multi-family residential buildings.
Energy Management
Energy management complements other efficiency strategies by using data and smart technologies to fine-tune energy use. These systems help reduce waste and optimize performance, supporting a building's overall sustainability efforts.
EGreen utilizes data-driven systems to effectively monitor energy usage, water consumption, and waste management, empowering property owners to reduce their utility bills by up to 20%. This is accomplished through strategies such as personalized resident coaching and organizing engaging games that encourage sustainable practices in a fun, interactive way. Similarly, Sapient Industries smart plugs analyze user behavior by examining data from outlets to optimize energy consumption in real-time, making them ideal for both commercial and residential spaces. Wattblock provides energy solutions for multi-tenant buildings, using analytics to identify waste and suggesting renewable energy integrations. They assist with the selection process, finance options, by-laws, as well as measurement and verification of results.
Romande Energy offers an innovative approach to community energy management with its self-consumption communities. These systems allow residents of a building or neighborhood to share locally produced solar energy, reducing their reliance on external grids and lowering energy costs for all involved.
In conclusion, this article emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance the vibrancy, sustainability, and safety of public spaces in rapidly evolving urban environments. By leveraging innovative approaches such as technology integration, community engagement, and inclusivity promotion, cities can create functional and inviting environments that prioritize the well-being and safety of all individuals.
Addressing contemporary challenges such as urban heat islands, public health, and emerging public safety issues requires proactive urban design strategies. As society and habits continue to evolve, solutions must adapt accordingly to ensure that cities remain resilient, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.
(1) Source: Data Center Dynamics, Global data center electricity use to double by 2026 - IEA report, January, 26th 2024.
(2) Source: ENERGY.GOV, Water Heating.