Breaking Down Silos to Accelerate Energy Efficiency

Writing the roadmap to sustainability is not a quick, simple task—nor one to tackle individually. I believe meeting with other industry leaders to discuss the collaborative next steps we should take to achieve decarbonization is as important as setting net zero goals. I brought this belief with me for Climate Week NYC in the Javits Center, where I had the pleasure of sitting in on the Nest Summit Campus panel alongside Richard Yancey from @building-energy-exchange.

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From residential homes to large-scale convention centers, a unique and fascinating change is taking place when it comes to building decarbonization: the convergence of IT and OT. In the past, buildings have been a passive asset. Today, however, leveraging digitalization and IT, we have the opportunity not only to accelerate building decarbonization, but also to put buildings at the forefront of energy and operational efficiency. As my co-panelist Richard Yancey expertly explained, we must look at efficiency as an untapped resource. In energy production, much of our output has historically been ‘rejected energy’; without optimization, our energy usage is inefficient. The convergence of IT and OT in buildings promises a new type of operational efficiency that cuts down on rejected energy.

?To achieve energy efficiency and decarbonization, we must take a two-pronged approach. It is important to first focus on cutting down general energy usage. For example, every room in a convention center does not need to have its lights on all the time. Once we can reduce general energy usage, our full focus can be given to finding sustainable methods to create necessary energy. This is where building digitalization shines within the industry. Digitalization and building automation technology make building management—turning unneeded lights off or keeping air conditioning at an appropriate level—easier, more effective, and more efficient. Increased building automation and digitalization mark the next step in the roadmap to sustainability.

?While we are finding new ways to achieve energy efficiency, collaboration amongst industry leaders is still crucial for net zero. I was impressed with Climate Week NYC for its focus on making sustainability more equitable and attainable. With ever-changing net zero regulations, government funding is available, but a collaborative effort is needed to help people and organizations receive the resources necessary to stay on track. I am proud of my team at Siemens for being the resource that organizations and small businesses can use to better understand the decarbonization options that are available to them.

?Climate Week NYC was a success in bringing leaders together to discuss the next steps for sustainability. To ensure we are creating a future that will continue to improve decades from now, we must continue along the roadmap to building automation, collaboration, and energy efficiency. To learn more, watch the full panel on “Breaking Down Silos to Accelerate Energy Efficiency.”