Buildings account for more that 40% of energy consumption in Europe and the United States. Cleantech integrator companies like Ameresco, Inc., believe facilities management is a vital link in the energy use chain. Energy efficiency in businesses is crucial. Simple changes can reduce annual consumption drastically.
In Europe, energy efficiency is assessed based on modeling and energy simulations but there is a need for more analysis regarding the actual energy consumption of a building. “In response, Skanska and our partners, Go4Energy and Cushman & Wakefield, have put together a comparative analysis covering a number of buildings in the Polish office market, looking at them in terms of their features, age and environmental specification,” explains Waldemar Olbryk, Director for Support Functions at Skanska.
The study, “Energy consumption in office buildings” conducted by Skanska, Go4Energy and Cushman & Wakefield, in Poland, is beginning to shed light on the issue. “In recent years, we have been gathering a great deal of data on how our buildings perform,” said Waldemar Olbryk, Director for Support Functions at Skanska. “In order to test the efficacy of our designs and their functionality, it was necessary to compare the operation of our buildings with other office buildings in Poland. But we found that no comparative analyses of this type existed.”
The imperative report also shows that close collaboration between the project teams, property managers and technical staff is required to guarantee an energy-efficient building. More often, new buildings are implementing energy management systems and applying greener methods for operation. “The greatest amount of energy savings, 32%, was seen for buildings constructed within the past six years, which confirms the viability of solutions when applied at the building’s design and construction stage. By using facility management techniques, we are now able to identify areas where energy consumption is excessive or energy is used inefficiently, and adjust the relevant parameters appropriately,” said, Zuzanna Paciorkiewicz, MRICS, Partner, Asset Services at Cushman & Wakefield.
By gathering information and analyzing the data, experts intend to address the impact of the implementation of innovative systems, appropriate management, specifications, and the expected level of the users’ comfort on the building energy performance. Advocates for energy efficiency in business are raising awareness and businesses are recognizing the benefits of adaptability and optimization. SMEs stand to gain the most, achieving reduced energy costs for business development. Recommendations on how best to adopt energy-efficient practices include: clear incentives, clear communication, understanding energy audits, and shifting to sustainable energy sources.
Instead of checking light switches and thermostats, facility managers are already using smart devices and energy management systems. What will facility management look like in the next 10 years? How will energy efficiency impact facility management?
