Three smart steps towards preventing energy thieves in properties
Numerous energy thieves lurk in our workplaces and facilities, including machinery that remains operational after working hours and premises that are heated unnecessarily. This implies significant savings potential from making the properties more energy-efficient. Digitalization and smart technology can help with this.
Energy optimization
Properties represent as much as 35% of total global energy consumption, while demand for energy is increasing continuously. New innovations and the digitalization of properties can significantly reduce companies’ consumption of electricity and heating. This means that energy optimization is key to reduce the climate footprint while simultaneously reducing costs.
“SmartDrone allows us to inspect properties digitally rather than using equipment such as skylifts. Through automation and AI, it is also possible to pinpoint faults all the way down to the nuts and bolts level by using the 3D model created by the images captured by the drone,” Tomas Hultgren explains.
Step 1: Increased optimization
The first step towards making properties smarter and more sustainable is to optimize existing systems. SmartEnergy is one of many innovations from Coor that can help companies to achieve this. By identifying problem areas in a property, excess energy consumption can be addressed with relatively limited means.
“There are extensive gains to be made by optimizing existing systems which does not require major investment,” Tomas Hultgren, who works with property innovation at Coor, explains.
Physical measurement systems with sensors combined with smart software monitor property energy consumption and provide real-time information about the type and volume of energy used. The information is generated in different ways through analysis software or updates in smart apps, for example.
“Wireless sensors can digitalize previously unmeasureable parameters, or parameters that were been measured using manual instruments. This ranges from energy consumption in the form of heating or electricity to values such as vibrations or noise,” Tomas Hultgren explains.
Step 2: Allow smart technology to transform the workplace
The next step of the process is the transformation. Some workplace systems and components eventually become obsolete and get past their sell-by date.
SmartLighting and SmartCharge are two services that help reduce electricity consumption in workplaces, as well as make a clear difference to employees.
SmartLighting involves increasing the efficiency of and replacing old light sources with modern and adjustable lighting. This means that the lighting can be changed according to demand and the employees’ requirements.
Through SmartCharge, Coor offers an efficient option for easily charging electric cars in the workplace – the system allows charging stations to be controlled according to demand and consumption can be easily monitored.
“Broadly speaking, the service contributes significantly to reducing the carbon footprint, as well as promoting the use of environmentally friendly vehicles. This helps our customers to transform their vehicle fleets,” Tomas explains.
Step 3: Use data for automation
The optimization process has been completed and old systems have been transformed into new ones – so what then is the next step? Automation can generate further advantages. Tomas Hultgren explains that the benefits can be found by coordinating the different products and services.
“This is about connecting systems installed during the transformation phase in order to optimize the running of the property!”
Large volumes of information can be collected by using smart systems. However, the step of starting to use the data collected needs to be prioritized, according to Tomas Hultgren. Accordingly, Coor’s energy and construction engineers are working to turn the information into concrete changes.
“What has been lacking in a lot of the innovation work to date is competence in how the data the new systems contribute is used,” Tomas explains.
Digitalization of properties
The digitalization of properties has also meant that drones have become an unexpected climate hero in the fight to reduce energy consumption. The SmartDrone innovation uses drones to take tens of thousands of high-resolution images using heat cameras to pinpoint energy leaks and water damage. The images create a visual 3D model of the property which can also be used when planning maintenance work in the building—the number of windows or sections of the façade can easily be counted ahead of repainting, for example.
“Coor has the expertise and knowledge needed to create value from the data generated!”