As India seeks to meet housing, infrastructure and carbon reduction goals, it is imperative to have energy efficient buildings that bridge the deficit gap between these targets. With the rapid increase of renewable energy use and the convergence of information technology and building technologies, we are on the path toward net zero energy or even positive energy buildings. This is reflected in the fact that smart grid, smart cities, eco-districts, and green campuses are already being built and retrofitted. Whether residential, commercial or industrial, buildings account for about 8% of India’s total power utilisation. Energy efficiency in buildings can therefore make a major difference in curbing power bills. With the building industry growing at 11 to 12% annually, this is almost double the 6% growth rate the electricity sector registers.
Energy efficiency in green buildings
The demand for energy efficiency is accelerating rapidly. These include regulatory pressures, shareholder and public demands for socially sustainable business practices; increasing demand for energy and rising energy prices. Green directives like net-zero energy regulations in Europe, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in the UK, to name a few and GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) rating system for buildings of the central government and public sector undertakings in India are driving major change. New buildings standards and certifications, such as ISO 50001 and the shift of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) to include certifications for operational performance of existing buildings are also having a significant impact on the built environment.
The green building movement is now mature enough to show proof of its economic green value in the real estate market for both building owners and tenants. Investment in green buildings can produce measureable financial value, such as increased rental rates and asset value, reduced risk of depreciation and higher tenant attraction and retention rates. Increased market demand and clear financial rewards, coupled with mounting government regulations and shareholder pressures, provide multiple incentives to own and occupy high-performance green buildings that leverage innovation and deliver triple bottom line value throughout the entire building life cycle.
Integrated energy management solutions have become a must and putting in place a robust integrated energy management and information system is the first step in any energy management programme. It helps sets a baseline for KPIs at different levels within the organisation, and helps track them effectively which is the key for sustainable buildings. Such a system also provides a ready-to-use framework for the implementation of global energy management standards like ISO 50001 and facilitates the pursuit of green building labels such as like LEED and GRIHA. It also highlights the importance of putting a submetering infrastructure for load segregation as the starting point for best practices in energy management and effective interventions.
Our solutions
Schneider Electric is one of the first players in the industry to understand and implement the latest green buildings trends in the country. Some of the trends are Software as a Service (SAAS) – Building Analytics and Digitisation- shift towards digitisation & web services and Internet of Things. Latest solutions allow you to do more than identify facility issues. Consumers can now pinpoint which systems and equipment have irregularities, with prioritisation based on energy cost, severity, and comfort impact. They will have the assurance to completely understand why building issues are happening and how to remedy these situations. The cloud-based automated diagnostics uses artificial intelligence to not only identify problem conditions, but also guide resolution through suggested actions. Periodic engineering reviews of your building diagnostics ensure that Building Analytics continuously drives action and tracks performance over time.
This actionable information allows you to better organise internal and contract resources for quicker, more efficient repairs and commissioning services. In fact, a number of players have introduced many new technological solutions for enhancing customer business performance, but what makes us stand apart is our ability to deliver exceptional value to customers through our technology, people and processes.
The benefits of building green can be significant, but only if best practices are followed – not just at the design/build stage, but throughout the entire building life cycle. Building owners, operators, and occupants who invest in high-performance green buildings can realise triple bottom line benefits – when they partner with innovative, collaborative companies that look at buildings holistically, are willing and eager to engage with all stakeholders early in the process, and employ design-for-performance principles.
