Smart-Building Technology Poised to Take the Lead

Executives who are responsible for energy management identify smart-building technology as one of the clean-energy technologies they expect to experience the greatest increase in market adoption over the next 10 years. However, just 22 percent of the same executives report that their organization has adopted smart-grid or smart-building technologies in the last 12 months.

The November issue of HPAC Engineering reports those are among the findings of the 2011 Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) survey. Administered by the Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency in partnership with the International Facility Management Association, the Urban Land Institute, and 30 strategic partners around the world, the fifth annual survey polled global executives and building owners responsible for energy management and investment decisions in commercial and public-sector buildings.

The article, contributed by Clay Nesler of Johnson Controls, summarizes the data and reports tha survey results indicate organizations that have implemented smart-grid or smart-building technologies are 2.5 times more likely to review data frequently than those that have not.

Despite the success of peak-demand management and other energy-efficiency measures, many executives in the survey reported significant barriers to energy-efficiency investments, ranging from organizational structure to technical capacity and financial considerations. Also, a wide variation in performance exists between otherwise comparable organizations when it comes to energy improvements adopted.

Driving the interest in energy efficiency are energy-cost savings, government and utility incentives and rebates, and enhanced brand or public image.