By Carl Coken, VP, Engineering, Atrius, Acuity Brands — Artificial intelligence (AI), a concept not so long ago confined to theoretical science and blockbuster movies, is rapidly becoming part of almost every industry. With its ability to compile, analyze, and apply logic to enormous amounts of data, AI has the potential to significantly improve many business and operational processes. To increase efficiency, heighten customer engagement, and lower costs, corporations are eager to add AI to their technology arsenal.
However, the vast computational power required for AI has the potential to impair organizational efforts toward decarbonization; its applications could come at a great cost if not integrated with care. Some experts have warned that AI could account for 3.5% of all global electricity consumption by 2030. This figure represents more than what the world’s workforce is responsible for now.
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Sustainability is a priority on the agenda of many organizations. Objectives can include carbon footprint reduction goals, health and safety targets, and improvement in management of facility performance data that allows firms to track ESG compliance.
Facility services providers who are not prepared to support client sustainability agendas will find themselves losing out to more agile, future-ready competitors. As such, they need to be ready to support clients across a range of sustainability-related requests to succeed in the years ahead.
Planon, a global provider of smart sustainable building management software that helps facility management services firms grow their businesses and be a resource to clients, advises the adoption of sustainability objectives such as these:
- Facility services providers can develop and navigate sustainable real estate strategies
- Clients will look to services providers to help mitigate the risk of real estate depreciation
- Real estate owners will seek out mature energy management technologies
- Health & Safety is a deciding factor in the success of back to the office strategies
- Sustainability will be an integral part of facility total experience initiatives
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There’s a need for the workforce to develop what can be described as “hybrid skills”, blending an understanding of the real estate industry, data and technology to be able to advance organizations and the industry in an increasingly regulated data-driven environment.
To meet this emerging need, real estate data governance nonprofit OSCRE International has developed a new on-demand training program, Effective Energy Data Management, to help you and others within your organization build the skills to advance in this critical area.
OSCRE offers a quick overview (PDF) of what’s covered in 10 one-hour sessions you can complete complete when and where you like, including:
- How to develop the business case to advocate for the resources needed to improve energy data management within your organization
- Improve your ability to interact with multiple stakeholders internally and with external business partners to achieve results
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By Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at Global Heat Transfer — Our environment has a significant impact on how we work. According to a study by the Staples Corporation, 94 percent of workers surveyed reported feeling more productive in a clean workspace. Businesses often want a clean space because it can reduce sick days, increase motivation and reduce stress, but did you know it can also improve equipment performance in manufacturing facilities? Here Dave Dyer, technical sales engineer at thermal fluid specialist Global Heat Transfer, explains how manufacturers can make changes around the facility to improve the productivity of their heat transfer system.
Proactive maintenance is vital when operating a heat transfer system. Regular maintenance of the equipment, as well as regular fluid sampling as part of a preventive maintenance program, enables manufacturers to monitor performance and fluid condition and prepare for maintenance before it leads to downtime. But manufacturers may find that performance is impacted by conditions outside of the system.
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AHR Expo has created the 2024 Trend Report to provide a connection point for industry professionals from many different sectors and career disciplines. Considering the segments, AHR wanted to identify the state of the industry ahead of the AHR Expo with viewpoints from the industry associations, from manufacturers on the show floor, and from the field of attendees of the show.
AHR Expo’s endorsing associations contribute a thorough representation of the varying roles that make up the full industry. The report includes summary takeaways and common industry themes:
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Regulations remain a driving force towards a cleaner future: Decarbonization • Green transition • New standards with quicker onboarding • Global refrigerant transition
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The built environment is evolving: IoT, AI and controls • Automation • Data analytics • Cybersecurity and BA systems
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Supply Chain: Supply Chain has rebounded to stable health • A2Ls and the effect on distribution • Consolidation across the industry
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Workforce and training: The need for a strong and skilled workforce • Streamline the flow f communication across the chain • Training evolution
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Product Adoption: Heat pumps • Building automation systems
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Expansion, growth and meeting demand: Managing multiple areas of growth within the industry • Educating first the workforce, and secondly the end user • Cutting-edge technology and environmental responsibility.
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Presented by Lift and Access magazine, LLEAP Awards recognize innovative equipment and support products and services introduced in the North American market during the previous 12 months in five categories: Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, Vehicle-Mounted Aerial Lifts, Material Handlers, Features and Components, and Aftermarket Support Products and Services. The judging panel includes industry experts involved in operating, renting, selling, and servicing aerial platforms and lifting equipment. The judges evaluate each entry for innovative features and technology, perceived value, productivity, and overall benefit to the industry, owners and users. The product is featured in the 2023 Nov/Dec edition of Lift and Access with the other winners.
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Decarbonizing the electric grid necessitates a fundamental shift towards a dynamic, two-way relationship between buildings and the grid. This approach enables buildings to respond flexibly to grid conditions, including time-varying carbon emissions rates. In recent years, the significance of this two-way communication has grown, driven by the integration of renewable energy sources, grid reliability concerns and the impact of extreme weather conditions. These factors have prompted utilities, grid operators and the building community to reassess the role buildings can play in supporting grid reliability and decarbonization by reshaping their energy consumption patterns.
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Hand dryer manufacturer Excel Dryer has upgraded to electrostatic HEPA filtration, which is an optional feature for the XLERATOR hand dryer models and is now available in the newly expanded surface-mounted ThinAir Hand Dryer product line.
ThinAir is a high-efficiency model that includes all the standard enhanced features — including adjustable sound, speed and heat controls — while also protruding less than four inches from the wall to adhere to ADA regulations. ThinAir dries hands in 14 seconds, operates on 950 watts and helps facilities qualify for several LEED Credits and WELL Points.
The upgraded HEPA filtration system uses electrostatically charged media to allow for increased airflow and attract particles, including bacteria and viruses, to the filter media, removing them from the air.
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This week's Featured Book from FMLink's Books section is from the State & City Codes category. This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the topic of state and city codes.
The California Mechanical Code (CMC) contains mechanical design and construction standards. Provisions contained in the CMC provide minimum standards to safeguard life or limb, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation, and maintenance or use of heating, ventilating, cooling, refrigeration systems, incinerators and other miscellaneous heat-producing appliances.This is a fully integrated code based on the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code. Included is a free subscription service for all state updates and supplements.
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