Intelligent Outsourcing of Building Energy Management

The real estate sector faces the critical challenge of minimizing energy and operational costs in existing structures while also reducing resource consumption in new constructions. Despite the understanding that investments in energy efficiency can yield long-term ecological and economic benefits, many property developers and managers find themselves overwhelmed by this complex task and are actively seeking external solution providers.

Energy efficiency is a pivotal focus for the real estate industry, particularly in light of the transformation process aimed at achieving CO2 neutrality. The European Union has recognized the urgent need for action, leading to new regulations on building energy efficiency adopted in April 2024. These legislative measures set the framework for member states to reduce emissions and energy consumption across various building types, including residential, commercial, educational, healthcare, and other public buildings.

For new constructions, the standard will shift towards net-zero buildings, with stringent guidelines promoting the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels for heating and encouraging the expansion of solar energy systems. In addition to new builds, enhancing the energy efficiency of existing properties is paramount. As former EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson stated, "Renovations are investments in a better future." To combat energy poverty, financial measures must be implemented to incentivize renovations, particularly targeting vulnerable customers and buildings with the lowest energy efficiency ratings.

By reducing energy consumption in buildings, the EU aims to lessen its dependence on imported fossil fuels. Experts agree that investing in energy efficiency can lead to substantial economic advantages, including lower energy costs, increased property values, and the creation of new jobs. Overall, Europe's strategy seeks to enhance energy independence.

Renovating existing structures is considered one of the key strategies for a sustainable future, combining ecological, economic, and social benefits. Advances in technology, materials, and construction methods open up numerous possibilities for not only preserving buildings but also adapting their use and transforming them innovatively to meet modern demands.

One of the most exciting developments in this area is the conversion of vacant office buildings into residential and workspace solutions that align with contemporary standards of flexibility, sustainability, and community engagement. This approach is particularly valuable in urban centers where housing is scarce, offering a sustainable and resource-efficient alternative to new construction.

There are ample opportunities to minimize energy losses through energy-efficient renovations. For instance, implementing an external thermal insulation composite system can enhance the thermal performance of facades. In roofing, replacing or installing insulation can significantly reduce heat loss in heated spaces. The choice of roofing tiles also impacts emissions and pollutant filtration during rainfall. Upgrading windows and doors to modern glazing with a U-value of 0.7 and replacing heating systems with heat pumps further contribute to energy conservation. Adding a photovoltaic system can reduce reliance on external emissions sources, and modifying heating systems to smaller heating pipes with lower flow temperatures can yield additional emissions savings.

The extent of potential savings--both financial and energy-related--varies based on numerous factors, including the current energy status of the building, available funding programs, market interest rates, and the proper execution of renovation measures. A holistic view is essential to ensure that individual measures work synergistically.

The increasing profitability of investments in energy efficiency is undeniable, especially in light of persistently rising energy prices. However, managing all relevant factors and making timely decisions can be daunting for many property managers, particularly when their core business absorbs most of their personnel resources. As a solution, many developers and property managers are turning to specialized energy platforms to provide professional support in tackling energy efficiency challenges--especially regarding efficient procurement, usage, and billing of energy.

The market is expanding with numerous energy platforms dedicated to these challenges, offering services designed to reduce the CO2 emissions of existing properties in a straightforward, investment-free, and certified manner. These platforms leverage cutting-edge technology, combining software and services to ensure connectivity and data availability across building portfolios. Artificial intelligence tools are employed to identify savings potentials and regulate hardware efficiently. By integrating operational data into a dashboard that creates a digital twin, clients can monitor their savings in real-time.

Maintaining oversight of all data, service providers, and systems aims to pinpoint inefficiencies and address them proactively, in line with a company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy. Energy platforms promise to optimize property management, significantly reducing operational costs and potentially cutting energy expenses and CO2 taxes by up to 40 percent.

Intelligent digital solutions are particularly beneficial for office and administrative buildings, which account for approximately one-third of total energy consumption in the commercial, retail, and service sectors. Improving energy efficiency in these buildings does not always necessitate costly renovations; instead, the focus should often be on enhancing the operation of technical building systems. Ensuring smooth functionality and coordination between systems, such as plumbing, tenant electricity, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and automation, is crucial for energy and cost efficiency.

Real-time data provided through cloud platforms can continuously inform users about energy consumption and offer tips for further reduction. Software solutions integrated into building management systems gather and analyze operational data, identify malfunctions, and provide recommendations for optimization. With pre-configured AI algorithms, systems can autonomously operate to ensure economic and user-oriented building management at any time of the day or year. Engaging building users is also critical; structured real-time data can inform them about their energy consumption and provide guidance on reducing usage in offices, conference rooms, and restrooms. Evidence suggests that AI-optimized operations via cloud platforms can yield significant savings, ensure comprehensive data transparency, and alleviate the burden on operational staff.

As we look toward the future, it is clear that renovating existing buildings for energy efficiency will become a cornerstone strategy for sustainable real estate. Additionally, the outsourcing of energy efficiency tasks to specialists will continue to rise, and the application of artificial intelligence will become indispensable for optimized operations.