Construction & Civil Engineering Magazine Issue 216 - July 2024 | Page 23

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Net Zero
with a trifecta of efficiency , electrification and digitalisation . Constructing buildings that engage with smart tech from the get-go will see a more efficient process , seeing greater efficiencies , safety , lower costs and in some cases , even enhancements in property values ..
For example , Powerhouse Brattørkaia , the most energy-positive building in the northern hemisphere , generates more energy than it will ever consume in its lifetime . All building systems are tracked on a digital dashboard that displays details on occupancy , comfort and sustainability KPIs in given building zones . Producing 485,000 kWh annually , it supplies renewable energy to itself and neighbouring buildings and vehicles , including electric buses , cars and boats , through a local microgrid . It even creates enough excess electricity to charge 200 electric vehicles . State-of-the-art building management solutions continue to set new standards for both cost savings and energy efficiency and should be considered when drawing up construction plans in the first instance .
The future of construction is sustainable
When organisations look to create a more sustainable built environment , businesses can benefit as well as the planet .
With sustainable construction backed by circularity and smart monitoring , leaders will be able to minimise energy consumption and material waste , therefore reducing cost . In fact , the ROI on more sustainable building practices could be a key differentiator for construction companies that invest in greener strategies . As well as cost reductions , business continuity and energy security can be achieved through this move to more sustainable construction and building practices .
Overall , there ’ s no need to delay strong climate action , driven and supported by upgrades , electrification , and digitalisation . And when the construction sector buys into the benefits of sustainability , the global emissions of buildings will be reduced for good . ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
David Lloyd johnsoncontrols . com
David Lloyd is Head of Connected Energy Performance at Johnson Controls . As the global leader in smart , healthy and sustainable buildings , Johnson Controls ’ mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people , places and the planet . Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation , it delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare , schools , data centres , airports , stadiums , manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue , its comprehensive digital offering .
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