Contact
PRODUCTSSOLUTIONSTRENDSCareersCOMPANYCUSTOMER SERVICEDOWNLOADSCatalogs

Topics 9 June 2022
Building Automation as the Key to Green Buildings?!

A greener building sector with the lowest possible energy consumption, minimal resource waste and a high level of comfort – these are the goals of current efforts in many countries on both a national and international level. In this connection, the topic of building automation is attracting more and more attention. But how much does intelligent building control really have to do with greater energy efficiency?

The Key Information a Glance:

  • New buildings already have high energy standards: The goal is efficient energy use for an optimal room climate.
  • Room automation provides comfort and energy efficiency: Therefore, it represents the state of the art in many new construction projects.
  • The building stock is mostly inefficient: For the building sector to become greener, the large number of existing buildings need to be renovated with an eye towards energy efficiency.
  • A key role in building renovations: Flexible building automation can be used to be record, control and regulate building technology processes – making them more efficient.

A Major Energy Consumer: The European Building Stock

Green buildings are buildings that are constructed and operated as sustainably as possible. This concept focuses heavily on the use of energy and resources, and with good reason: With over 40 percent of total energy consumption and around 35 percent of all CO2 emissions in the EU alone, the building sector is one of the most energy-intensive industries there is – and thus an important factor in the energy transition. While the further development and expansion of renewable energies are important steps, the industry must above all address the issue of how buildings’ energy consumption can be further reduced at the same time. Currently, according to Dena 2021 Building Report*, non-residential buildings occupy about 3,507 km2 of the net heated floorspace in Germany – an area almost the size of Mallorca. With 204 TWh, room heating accounts for the largest share of the energy used, followed by lighting with 56 TWh, hot water with 25 TWh and air-conditioning with 9 TWh. “There’s still lots of room for optimization,” says Dirk Dronia, Global Industry Manager for Building Automation at WAGO.

* The latest 2022 version of the Dena Building Report, which has recently been published, can be found here.

A New Standard: High Energy Efficiency in New Buildings

“Building standards are already high,” says Dronia. “Most newly constructed buildings are almost like thermoses in terms of their insulation.” Lighting is also becoming more efficient thanks to LED technology. That generally already reduces their energy consumption. However, even in new buildings with efficient construction and low-energy technologies, the energy required for room temperature control remains one of the largest areas of energy use in the non-residential building sector – not least because a pleasant indoor climate influences the comfort and productivity of users. The goal is efficient energy use for an optimal room climate.

Room Automation Ensures Comfort and Energy Efficiency

Room automation – the combination of climate control and lighting control, as well as shading – also plays an essential role in well insulated new buildings and is essential in order to achieve an ideal climate and comfort with maximum energy efficiency. In the summer, before cooling rooms, such systems can close the shades to keep sunlight out, preventing them from heating up in the first place. In winter, opening the shades can be used to intentionally heat the room; this can support the heating system or be used to feed the warm room air to the heat recovery system via the exhaust air. If the shading system separates the glare protection and light redirection functions, sunlight can be directed into the room before the electric lighting comes on, despite the glare protection,” says Dronia. In this way, a sophisticated room automation system ensures optimal room conditions and efficient energy use without any user interventions – a win-win scenario for all sides. That’s why it already represents the state of the art in many new construction projects.

Sophisticated room automation systems support energy savings in both new and existing buildings.