FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
THE ENERGY CONSULTANT’S VIEW
GRAHAM PAUL,
SERVICE DELIVERY DIRECTOR AT TEAM ENERGY
Tech – specifically data – is essential to achieving net zero. Without it, those responsible for managing the built environment will find it effectively impossible.
The built environment makes up a substantial share of the UK’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and electricity use, at 23 per cent of total emissions and 59 per cent of electricity consumption. At the national level, policy frameworks requiring energy efficiency and electrification of processes can reduce these figures. However, at a company level, many organisations struggle with the demand of such changes. They need to both understand their current situation, and the necessary steps and tools to reach their goals. In this context, data emerges as a necessity – both in the evidence-based insights it provides, and the cutting-edge tech it enables.
Traditional forms of energy management, relying as they often have on rough estimates, historical averages, or basic spreadsheets, aren’t sufficient for net zero. To meet the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Net-Zero Standard, for example, organisations must cut emissions by at least 90 per cent across their value chain – offsetting only the remainder.
Organisations must also commit to near-term goals – within five to 10 years of their commitment submissions – en route to net zero by 2050. That level of reduction, at that speed, is simply not possible without precise, comprehensive and regularly collected data – especially for organisations with large and varied building stock.
Data allows energy managers to benchmark their buildings, comparing their performance against meaningful standards for improved energy efficiency and reduced consumption and emissions. Yet, data normalisation – i.e. adjustments for building type, usage patterns and much more – is also needed so energy managers can make comparisons that meaningfully guide their actions toward efficiency and emissions goals. This itself is a complex task, requiring the right software and tech to perform effectively. It is of little surprise, therefore, that many organisations seek help from consultants, who can interpret the data and provide actionable insights.
Several technologies are revealing themselves to be central enablers to improve energy efficiency, and achieve usage and emissions reductions, however.
Smart meters, now installed in 57 per cent of UK non-domestic sites, are essential to the upcoming market-wide half-hourly settlement (MHHS) reforms. These meters go beyond simple readings, offering real-time insights into demand patterns, peak loads, and anomalies. They also support time-of-use tariffs, helping reduce emissions through smarter and more efficient energy use.
Perhaps surprisingly given its own energy requirements, AI will play a vital role in achieving emissions targets. Powerful analytics and automation can identify energy-use patterns and control building systems in real time – for example, adjusting HVAC based on weather or flagging likely demand spikes. Alongside AI, digital twins (dynamic virtual replicas of buildings) can use real-time data from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and building management systems to simulate performance and test strategies before implementation.
Together, these technologies enable smarter energy management and long-term, scenario-based planning, helping organisations make informed decisions, reduce emissions, and optimise operations as they move toward a more sustainable, net zero future.
