Brad Schultz, M.AIRAH

Buildings Alive
Buildings as batteries

Decarbonising electricity is critical to tackling the climate crisis. Many building owners have pledged net zero carbon before 2030, and while this is commendable, it overlooks important optimisation questions raised by the increasingly dynamic nature of energy generation, distribution and usage. For the successful provision of an energy grid which is zero carbon 24 hours a day, seven days a week, buildings – and specifically HVAC – must shift energy loads to times when wholesale prices and carbon intensities are low. This can be enabled through data and automation. 

To facilitate this, Buildings Alive has developed the capability to calculate and forecast the “real-time” carbon intensity of the electricity grid along with sophisticated building energy modelling and forecasting. These forecasts can be fed back to operators and automation systems to allow them to respond in ways that minimise buildings’ real carbon impact based on the energy mix in the grid at any given time. Buildings that are exposed to wholesale electricity market spot prices can maximise their financial savings while at the same time reducing real carbon emissions. 

This presentation will explore these concepts and propose solutions that show how vitally important the HVAC industry is to a successful transition to a zero-emissions economy. 

Brad is a Mechatronic Engineer with more than 20 years of experience working in technology and energy-efficiency domains. He has more than 10 years’ experience working in energy management, building automation and optimisation with several building controls companies. He leads the services delivery team at Buildings Alive, working with portfolios of high-profile facilities around the world to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions.