Connecting buildings to efficiency

Buildings consume 33% of global energy today and 53% of the world’s electricity. What’s more, their electricity consumption will grow by 80% by 2040 (IEA, 4Degree Scenario). Yet, to Schneider Electric and our customers, therein lies incredible opportunity. For 82% of the economic potential of energy efficiency in buildings remains untapped (IEA, World Energy Outlook 2012, internal analysis). Not only do we have the corporate responsibility to curb energy demand by lowering consumption; we have the technological advancements to do so.

Through Innovation At Every Level, made possible by our EcoStruxure? architecture and platform, we can help cities make their buildings smarter to improve occupant safety and comfort, while boosting operational efficiency and lowering energy use as well.

Power quality and energy consumption are closely linked to overall building performance. Yet building managers often focus more on mechanical equipment operations. However, power problems are responsible for more than half of equipment downtime in most buildings. The solution to those issues is available now, let′s learn more about two buildings Schneider Electric has helped to become more efficient, one in Santa Catarina, Brazil and another in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Hamilton Araújo Top Residence

Hamilton Araujo Top Residence is a fully automated building located at Beira Mar Continental in Florianópolis (SC) built by Beco Castelo, a construction company. All apartments and common areas have solutions that control temperature, lighting, security and energy consumption. In addition, installed building automation solutions allow better energy management enhancing comfort and safety.

The project considers different functionalities:

• Depending on the weather conditions blinds are activated by a KNX system, a protocol that integrates functionalities and allows customization according to the needs and requirements of each resident.
• Tablets and cell phones can identify who is in the lobby when the intercom rings. All power loads can be turned off remotely when the house is empty, allowing residents to be more secure and economical.
• Inside Control, a simple control that can be accessed from inside or outside the apartment, allows the resident to adapt lighting and temperature for different situations - from a party to a moment of rest.
• Set up of electricity generator operation, water tank levels, pumps and water use, off-peak loads for energy savings and preventive maintenance of lighting.

The Edge 

Located in Zuidas, Europe’s fastest growing business and knowledge district, The Edge in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, is heralded as the world’s most sustainable office building. Officially opened in May 2015, this 40,000 m2 multi-tenant, Class A office building was conceived by OVG Real Estate, a Dutch commercial real estate developer committed to green development, in partnership with Deloitte, a global professional services firm and the building’s primary occupant.

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Open and flexible architecture

The Edge is designed according to ‘The New World of Work’ principles, which challenges traditional organizational culture to create an agile, high-performance workplace where innovation can thrive in an open and flexible environment. Adhering to that philosophy, The Edge is designed with a breathtaking glass exterior and large, open floor plans situated in a U-shape around a majestic 15-story, north-facing atrium. The atrium is surrounded by balconies and residents can easily move between levels to gather in naturally-lighted meeting areas.

Technically as well as visually impressive.

A marvel of architectural design, behind the scenes at The Edge is a comprehensive array of building engineering and energy efficiency ecosystems that make it outstanding both operationally and environmentally as well as aesthetically.

A broad range of Schneider Electric integrated building management solutions, electrical distribution systems, and IT infrastructure are employed throughout The Edge. Schneider Electric was pleased to unite once again with OVG at The Edge following their successful collaborations a few years earlier at the carbon-neutral TNT Centre (Hoofddorp, The Netherlands). They also introduced OVG to the project’s lead system integrator, BMS EcoXpert, HC Groep.

Smart Building Approach

SmartStruxure? solution, Schneider Electric’s premier building management system (BMS) powered by StruxureWare? Building Operation software, is used at The Edge, including 50 Automation Servers. BMS-compatible field devices are installed in ceilings and in technical rooms, including sensors, valves, actuators and heat meters, which provide energy related measurement of thermal energy used in the building.

The Edge facility managers are able to manage building operations and energy use on-site or remotely to maintain optimal comfort for occupants. Access and connection to critical building data is available via easy-to-use dashboards and advanced reporting to make information-based decisions to optimize HVAC energy use and reduce waste.

Schneider Electric electrical distribution products are also used throughout the building, including electrical panels, busbars, energy meters and frequency drives located in technical rooms. Over 180 energy and heat meters are installed in the building and energy measurement information is captured in StruxureWare Power Monitoring Expert software.

The Edge also features other impressive building efficiency measures: It is the first building to utilize a third party’s Ethernet-powered LED connected lighting (Light Over Ethernet/LOE), which enables employees to use an application on their smartphones to regulate the lighting and climate in their individual workspaces. This innovative technology not only saves money on energy costs, but also a provides information and data analytics about how the building is operating.

Employees working at The Edge can use a smartphone app to regulate lighting and climate in their individual workspaces.

 A Teamwork Solution

In both projects a transversal team from Schneider Electric EcoBuilding Division and Partner Business served as liaisons between Schneider Electric entities and several other well-respected participants in their industries, including: primary end user; engineering consultant and specifier; and contractors, as well as other integrators and panel builders.

To learn more about Building automation read The Impact of Power Management on Building Performance and Energy Costs - White Paper