Energy consumption, conservation, and CO2 reduction represent major challenges for businesses and corporations, especially in light of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which challenge nations to become more sustainable as a way to minimize the global climate crisis and its negative impacts. According to data from the National Energy Balance, buildings account for the largest share of electricity consumption in Brazil: approximately 51% of the country’s total consumption.
Energy use in buildings was also studied by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States. In the publication, published in the journal Joule, the study indicates that these buildings —from cooling to heating to maintaining office lights—are responsible for more than a third of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States. The scientists conclude that reducing this consumption by 80% by 2050 would significantly contribute to combating climate change.
To encourage efficiency in buildings and contribute to this process, some energy management actions can be implemented, such as the use of renewable energy, periodic equipment maintenance, elevator renovation, and the implementation of intelligent systems to control operations. The goal is not only to promote sustainability but also to reduce costs. To achieve this, it is necessary to have a strategic, medium and long-term perspective that focuses on the benefits in terms of sustainability, but also on the significant gains these actions can bring to businesses, enterprises, and people. This is one of the focuses, for example, of Engepred’s work in providing condominium and property management services, aiming to
bring these benefits to buildings, in addition to maintaining asset value and market competitiveness.
Retrofit is one of the allies for more efficient energy management
Buildings have an environmental impact, from land use during planning, material selection during construction, to waste management and energy use. However, buildings can go from contributing to problems to becoming part of the solution.
Retrofitting , for example, remodeling a building or its building systems, involves structural changes to incorporate improvements that enhance performance. This can be a path for energy management, employing new technologies such as building automation, adopting solutions to facilitate maintenance— including air conditioning equipment, which accounts for a large portion of electricity consumption in commercial and corporate buildings—installing new lighting systems, among other eco -efficient concepts .
Solar panels can also be an assertive solution
Solar energy is an ally in the fight to reduce CO2 , as it does not emit any polluting gases into the atmosphere, offering an improvement in air quality as a whole.
Installing a solar panel in a building, in addition to being a sustainable energy management practice, helps save on electricity bills, potentially resulting in cost reductions of up to 95%, according to the Brazilian Solar Energy Association (ABSOLAR). The Association also notes that there has been an 83% reduction in the price of solar panel installation equipment since 2010, making it feasible to purchase.
For commercial and corporate buildings, solar panels provide better performance for artificial lighting and air conditioning systems, making it possible to obtain bonuses related to the rational use of water, energy, cogeneration systems, efficient elevators and water heating for properties that have this use in a relevant way.
It’s also worth highlighting its potential as an additional revenue generator. This is because, depending on the equipment’s capacity, the energy produced exceeds the energy consumed, resulting in a surplus that is fed into the distribution grid. This action generates solar energy credits, which can be used on the electricity bill in the coming months.
Air conditioning maintenance, a simple, necessary and effective solution
According to a survey by the National Electric Energy Conservation Program (PROCEL), cleaning the air conditioning filter can reduce electricity consumption, as the obstruction of the filter requires more electricity for the device to perform its functions.
Furthermore, clean filters promote cleaner air and ensure a safe environment for occupants. Maintaining the air conditioning system’s full functionality requires preventive maintenance. The frequency should follow the frequency established in the PMOC (Maintenance, Operation, and Control Plan) .
Onboard intelligence for greater efficiency in energy management
The implementation of software such as the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables wireless interconnections between physical objects and sensors, can contribute to energy management in buildings. Data-collecting sensors in industrial equipment and home appliances make it possible to manage resources in real time and control energy consumption.
A classic example is lighting system automation, which allows you to turn lights on or off in common areas as needed. Sensors can control switches, turning on lights and appliances only when they detect presence. This also extends the lifespan of lamps and electronic devices.
Among the technologies, those coupled to the equipment itself also stand out, enabling predictive maintenance and accurate data analysis, allowing for quick decision-making to correct deviations and even identify opportunities for improvement.
Furthermore, buildings that have thermal insulation – to avoid the use of heating – and use systems that manage information, diagnose and correct problems, fulfill their role as sustainable practices.
Elevator modernization as a resource for intelligent energy management
When considering energy management, elevators are on the radar for Green Building certification. The elevator industry is developing sustainable models that utilize low energy consumption or solar energy for their operation.
But even existing buildings with existing equipment can be optimized through a modernization project. The Palácio Austregésilo de Athayde , for example, received new elevators with a regenerative system, one of the solutions implemented by Engepred, the building’s building management company. The selected model is based on the premise of energy reuse through intelligent use.
Instead of wasting energy as heat, the system feeds the internal electrical grid. This allows the energy to be used by other elevators, air conditioning, computers, and other devices in the building.
According to the Brazilian Association of Elevator Companies (ABEEL), this system can reduce the use of electrical energy by up to 75%, compared to non-regenerative systems.
Adopting this model also brings benefits such as less pollution to the electrical power system and reduced distortion of electrical currents, protecting sensitive electronic equipment.
The Palace’s elevators also feature a traffic monitoring and management system, aimed at reducing energy consumption, as a crowded cabin requires more energy to operate. Therefore, the control helps prevent power surges and motor overload, in addition to providing greater convenience and safety for the building’s users, who now have access to equipment integrated with the reception systems and advance call.
