Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES OCTOBER 2022 31 FEATURE SMART BUILDINGS This has resulted in the industry beginning to adopt common metadata, allowing building operators to understand and interpret building data easily, as well as software applications that were not part of the original installation, therefore allowing for future upgrades. By using a common language, OEMs can create products and components that can seamlessly communicate throughout the development and use of a building. Having data that is standardised and tagged in a consistent way allows analytics and insights to be easily achieved, and it minimises problems arising in the future if newer technology is added. Lighting forms a large part of these valuable data sets.We focus on supporting and aligningwith this process to speed up smart building traction byminimising the complications of accessing this data. As we are hardware agnostic, we offer the standardisation of lighting control for smart buildings, removing the barrier of proprietary and closed system integration issues. This unified approach creates the best experience for occupants, maximises efficiency and creates a more environmentally friendly building that can be easily controlled and monitored. Data normalisation also hugely reduces the cost of installation. System integrators will not have to spend weeks or months developing complex solutions therefore, the whole process will be much simpler, and this clear strategy should encourage further adoption of smart buildings. ESG reporting Having effective building controls also assists companies and building owners with Environmental Social Governance (ESG) reporting. ESG reporting is vital for monitoring how buildings that businesses operate out of having an impact on their environmental footprint and the health and wellbeing of their employees. Many businesses are operating inefficiently and are not collecting the relevant energy and carbon data to be able to set out an improvement strategy. In order to reach net zero, companies must implement effective control and monitoring. This is an issue that is prevalent in the minds of both investors and consumers. The value of ESG data and reporting is that it gives investors the ability to see the full picture of their asset’s performance and how they are responding to long-term climate and technological changes. Green-certified buildings are viewed as a lower risk to investors as they aim to deliver healthy, sustainable spaces that tenants want to rent. Buildings need to be beneficial environments that are suitable for the occupants’ needs. We can provide circadian lighting and air quality monitoring as well as data visualisation to improve health and well-being and build trust with occupants. This then results in stronger financial performance as investors can charge more per month, retain tenants, and secure future capital. The industry can only achieve net zero goals if it works together, sharing data to create a holistic ESG score. We can assist with this, acting as a system integrator to aggregate data, presenting lighting energy and carbon data, and simulating changes in the virtual environment before applying it to the physical asset. The use of digital twins is very beneficial, as having a lighting digital twin can offer the ability to map how a building is running now and, in the future, creating a forecast which shows an owner where they could get to from lighting energy and carbon perspective. As smart buildings and technology controls continue to be integrated, the industry must work together to improve interoperability, common data sets, and ESG reporting to meet the demand of end users and investors. As the industry works together on overcoming these barriers, a more efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly smart building installation can be created for the future, with the integral factor of lighting control considered in the planning process. More information can be found at www.ambx.com