New smart software that actively optimizes a building’s energy control systems can cut energy and costs by up to 30 per cent, a recent study found.

The technology, developed by CSIRO, is being charged with the potential to dramatically reduce energy consumption and costs for building owners, while improving tenant comfort and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Launched this week, BuildingIQ being used to control the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that consume up to 60 per cent of total energy in commercial buildings. It also allows tenants to provide real-time feedback on comfort levels to building managers, as well as broadcasting information about energy prices and the amount of energy being consumed or saved in a building.

The technology is the result of over 15 man-years of work by CSIRO scientists.

Using algorithms, the software promises to help cut a building’s operating expenses and improve its official National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) star rating.

Federal environment minister, Peter Garrett, announced last week that starting next year all buildings over 2000sqm must publicly disclose their energy efficiency whenever they are sold or leased.

Former technology venture capitalist and BuildingIQ founder, Mike Zimmerman, said the heightened focus from investors, tenants and the government on environmental initiatives was contributing to the interest in the product.

“Owners want energy management initiatives with strong, near-term, return-on-investment profile and limited capital requirements, so our solution is attractive,” he said.

Last year, a trail of the software at CSIRO’s 4.5 star rated Newcastle Energy Centre achieved cost and energy savings of up to 30 per cent.

Commercial buildings are responsible for more than a third of global energy related greenhouse gas emissions and have been identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as the largest and most cost effective sector for achieving greenhouse gas reductions.

A recent study by Professors at UC Berkeley and Maastricht University showed that green buildings in the US sold for 16 per cent more and had effective rents that were 6 per cent higher than others.

Gemma Battenbough

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