Energy efficiency measures could save buildings more than 31% annually, study finds

Dive Brief:

• Nine occupied commercial buildings in Atlanta have the potential to save more than 31% on average by making energy efficiency improvements, according to a pilot program run by energy assessment platform Joulea.
• The buildings — which ranged from 200,000 to 750,000 square feet — could save a total of $2.2 million and 19.7 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year if they make upgrades including LED fixture replacements, heating and cooling adjustments, and building envelope restoration, Joulea said in a press release.
• The return on investment in upgrading to an LED lighting system could range from two to five years, while envelope air leakage repairs could have an ROI of less than five years, Joulea founder Ramtin Motahar said in an interview.

Dive Insight:

Joulea aims to identify energy inefficiencies in commercial assets by analyzing building functions. The company’s pilot program included Energy Star-certified office buildings operated by owners and national asset managers across Atlanta’s metro area. The energy efficiency measures that it proposed included LED lighting upgrades, repairing the building envelope, and fine-tuning heating and cooling setpoints, the release said.

Envelope leakage in particular can be difficult to detect, even though it increases energy use significantly, Motahar explained. That was the source of 17% of energy use in one building the company assessed, Motahar said. Joulea’s assessments involve simultaneously flying several autonomous drones over a large building to determine how much air is escaping from inside the building.

Savings of the magnitude the pilot project estimated can help cut emissions and increase net operating income, the release stated. Additional assessments of a building’s heat pump, roof, plug-load controls, and lighting schedule “can unlock further cost and energy savings,” it said.

Joulea is also developing an air leakage visualizer system as part of a $1.5 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The issues highlighted in the article are related to energy efficiency improvements in commercial buildings, which align with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The article also mentions the potential for emissions reduction, which is connected to SDG 13 (Climate Action). Additionally, the focus on upgrading infrastructure and adopting sustainable technologies relates to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are SDG 7.3 (Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency) and SDG 11.6 (Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: utilitydive.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.