“Optimise first, then Decarbonise”Falk Bleyl - CTO and Co-Founder, Utopi
BISNOW always put on a great event. Whether it be asset class specific, or otherwise, they get the best minds in the business in the room, and ensure the hard-hitting topics are being discussed, debated and rationalised – why? To benefit the sector and drive the real estate market forward.
Well their annual ESG Agenda event was no different. The Utopi team sponsored the event and our very own CTO and Co-Founder, Falk Bleyl, took the stage to take operationalising data, and using insights to tackle carbon reduction strategies and energy reduction strategies.
See some highlights of his panel below, and reach out if you have any questions, or want to know more about how Utopi can help transform your ESG strategy.
How are you using data to track and measure carbon strategies, and can data facilitate better communication between owners and occupiers?
“It does, and with Utopi we go beyond just looking at high level building or utility consumption insights, we delve into very granular data. We typically operate in managed residential real estate, so having individual resident data on electricity consumption, water consumption, etc gives a level of insight that’s unprecedented. We combine this individual space level data with contextual data too so you can understand environmental conditions, things that a BMS doesn’t show; but that is so key to the operational efficiency of an asset.
We are using data for:
- Looking at residential building perform in real time
- Analysing how occupants use the building – communal spaces, their rooms, etc
- Helping occupants modify their behaviours to better the environment
- And so much more
In PBSA for example, typically residents overheat their rooms excessively and use windows to regulate temperatures, rather than turning the heating off or down, even when they go to class. So to have the level of data and insight improves the management of the building, allowing site teams to be more responsive. This means rather than quarterly building meetings and reports, it can be managed in real time. Key when there is waste or risks in an asset.
By having that level of insight, you can also see what carbon reduction measures you may want to test out and try out new changes to building fabrics and test which measures work best. This could be new insulation, new materials, etc. Again, in real time and with little risk. Then by having this level of actionable data, it helps owners and operators to inform their individual carbon reduction strategies.
One client recently highlighted a wet heated system they had, and they wanted to change the system for heat pumps. They would try this, then after that they would see if Smart TRVs make a difference – but only when this new solution was paid for and used. We advised them to optimise first and then decarbonise – otherwise you may be over specifying and you can’t necessarily optimise it again after. It can be expensive, and then you lose the opportunity for optimising capital investment made.
Optimising first and using data in the right ways, and using it constantly, it can be a journey, but it will help map out what the journey could look like / what it should look like to save capital and save on mistakes made. Using data, you’ll know what measures are best to invest in. “
What are some use cases of data being used to benefit residents?
“At Utopi, we specialise in tenant engagement campaigns – on the student front there is an ever-increasing conscience on ESG and environmental responsibility, and there is also a market developing when it comes to engaging this generation on green buildings and sustainability in general.
We’ve also seen this in BTR too, and we’ve done some engagement campaigns with a clients. One in particular last year was with an Operator where they knew their tenants would go away for Christmas and would be leaving their heating on (based on Utopi data analysis). So, we ran a ‘Grinch Mode’ or turn off for Grinch campaign to get residents to turn their heating off over Christmas and had phenomenal success. When people weren’t there, the Operator could turn down the temperature for them and ensure that energy waste reduced. The Operator had no financial benefit from this either, the residents did; but there was a real community approach, and that sustainable conscience showed. The Operator could then measure the impact by having the data in their hands.”
Book a meeting with Utopi today, and let’s discuss your data strategies to boost asset performance.