Best Practices For Energy Management In An Era Of Smart Buildings

Access this research

Access all Energy, Decarbonization & Sustainability of Buildings content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance


Executive Summary

Corporate energy management is changing today as the smart building agenda forces executives to think more holistically about building performance and capitalize on new opportunities from building-to-grid interactions. This report provides energy and facilities executives with best practice advice for taking their energy programmes forward in an era of a changing real estate priorities and an evolving power system. Verdantix finds that successful energy management requires firms to broaden the horizons of their energy management programmes to support a better workplace experience, improve resiliency and enhance asset management. Firms should also leverage the advances of the IoT and analytics to get new visibility into improvement opportunities, while also reviewing expanding opportunities from more building-to-grid interactions. 
The Smart Building Agenda Forces Executives To Think Holistically About Building Performance
Energy Efficiency Is Too Narrow A Lens To Get The Full Value From Energy Management

Firms Are Revisiting Energy Management Today Given Changing Real Estate Priorities
The Horizon Of Corporate Energy Management Is Expanding To Include Comfort And Facilities Optimization   
Buildings Are Becoming More Active Participants In A Changing Power System 

Firms Have Access To An Expanding Range Of Energy Management Technologies 
More Granular Insights From The IoT And Analytics Are Providing New Visibility Into Efficiency Opportunities 
Lowering Costs Of On-Site Generation And Power Storage Are Creating Drastically Different Opportunities  
Retailers And Flagship Smart Buildings Are Showing The Value Of Applying Technology In Energy Management

A Refreshed Energy Management Strategy Will Help Firms Deliver A Broader Range Of Value 
Energy Management Best Practices: Hypothetical 200-Building University Campus In The US 
1) Revisit Energy Management Objectives To Ensure They Support The Full Real Estate Strategy  
2) Identify Low-Capex Improvement Initiatives By Applying Analytics To Existing Building Data
3) Use The IoT To Deliver Energy Management Remotely And On A More Granular Scale  
4) Explore The Business Case For New Energy Infrastructure Such As Storage, EVs And Onsite Power 
Figure 1. Multiple Factors Have Been Holding Back Energy Efficiency Programmes
Figure 2. The Smart Building Agenda Is Driving Firms To Consider A Broader Set of Energy Objectives
Figure 3. The IoT And Advanced Analytics Are Smartening Up Energy Management
Figure 4. Broad Energy Management Programmes Unlock Greater Value But Are More Complex To Manage
Figure 5. Best Practices For Energy Management At A University Campus

About the Authors

Susan Clarke

Susan Clarke

Research Director

Susan leads the Verdantix Smart Buildings practice. Her current research agenda focuses on software solutions for real estate management including integrated workplace managem…

View Profile
Rodolphe d’Arjuzon

Rodolphe d’Arjuzon

Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder

Rodolphe co-founded Verdantix in 2008 and directs the firm’s research strategy across all practice areas. Rodolphe has over 20 years of experience in technology research…

View Profile