For some green technology advocates, zero net carbon buildings are a goal, an objective that should be in the future.

Why the future? Technologies already exist in the commercial marketplace making zero net carbon buildings possible sooner than later.

Five technologies are ready for deployment. And while these have strong sustainability value propositions in both embedded and operational carbon reduction, they also save significant amounts of money for building owners. Even if there were no sustainability benefits, the technologies reflect research and engineering improvements valuable enough to be implemented anyway.

While each technology has its own merits, there is even greater value in the way they work together. Imagine a building with these working in concert.

Building Microgrids

Building microgrids are practical because the efficiency of solar panels has increased, rooftop wind generation products are available, and battery technology has improved.

Compare on-site generation of energy to distant generation of energy. Solar and wind solutions begin by generating DC power. When they are located at the building level, almost all the energy can be utilized. When energy is generated hundreds of miles away, the transmission process wastes a considerable portion.

A distant solar array connected to the grid generates DC power and then uses an inverter to create AC current from DC current. This is connected to a utility substation that has a step-up transformer that converts the power to voltages necessary for transmission in the grid (the steel towers you see on the landscape). When the power reaches your city, it goes through another transformer that steps down the power for local distribution (seen on wooden poles in your neighborhood). Each of these steps is less than 100% efficient and the cumulative effect could mean over 30% of the energy is wasted depending on distance and equipment.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, approximately 5% is wasted at generation, 12-15% is wasted during transmission, and 5-7% is wasted during distribution. The total wasted is 22-27%. This is an estimate of the average and actual waste in your city may depend on distances, voltages, equipment efficiencies, and other factors.

There is much development occurring in the microgrid industry. One clever building microgrid solution is marketed by Hover Energy. Hover combines quiet vertical wind turbines with solar. While solar-only can be a solution, the technology from Hover generates more energy per rooftop square foot thus enabling microgrids for buildings with greater energy usage. Others to follow include, for example, Challenergy, Sunverge, and Bloom Energy, Expect more companies to appear in this space.

The growth rate for commercial microgrids is expected to be significant in the coming years. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the total global microgrid market is projected to grow from USD 26.9 billion in 2022 to USD 63.2 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 18.6% during the forecast period.

MarketsandMarkets also forecasts that the market for non-grid connected building microgrids is projected to grow from USD 2.3 billion in 2022 to USD 6.6 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period.

Battery development also plays a role. California mandates solar and batteries as part of every new building. Batteries are technically considered a “source” of energy. From a “use” perspective, a building can use energy directly from a solar or wind source or use energy from a battery. Battery technology is improving rapidly and will enhance the viability of building microgrids.

Power over Ethernet—PoE

Power over Ethernet (PoE) or “Class 2 Power” is a technology that enables electrical power to be delivered over Ethernet cables. This means that devices such as wireless access points, IP surveillance cameras, lighting, IoT actuators, video conferencing equipment, and VoIP phones can be powered by the same Ethernet cable that they use to transmit data.

One of the key benefits of PoE is that it uses light gauge wire and can eliminate the need for 120V wiring to many devices. It also does not require a certified electrician for installation.

PoE works by using a technique called "phantom power." This technique uses unused pairs of wires in an Ethernet cable to carry power. The power is delivered at a voltage of 48 volts, and the current is typically limited to 350 milliamps.

The most current standard for PoE is IEEE 802.3bt, and it was published in 2018. IEEE 802.3bt can deliver up to 90 watts of power over four pairs of Cat5e cables and above. It is also known as PoE++ or 4PPoE.

Here are some of the features of IEEE 802.3bt:

• It can deliver up to 90 watts of power over four pairs of Cat5e cables and above.

• It is backward compatible with IEEE 802.3af and IEEE 802.3at.

• It supports a new power classification, Type 4, which can deliver up to 90 watts of power.

• It introduces a new feature called Maintain Power Signature (MPS), which allows powered devices to enter a low-power state while still maintaining a connection to the power sourcing equipment (PSE).

IEEE 802.3bt is a growing technology, and it is becoming increasingly popular. As the technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more applications for IEEE 802.3bt.

The IEEE is considering a standard for 120 Watts using Power over Ethernet (PoE). The standard is called IEEE 802.3bt Type 4, and it is expected to be finalized in 2023. Type 4 PoE will provide up to 100 Watts of power per port, which is enough to power devices such as large displays, wireless access points, and surveillance cameras. Some proprietary solutions provide 120 Watts.

The IEEE is also considering a standard for 480 Watts using PoE. This standard is called IEEE 802.3bt Type 5, and it is expected to be finalized in 2024. Type 5 PoE will provide up to 400 Watts of power per port, which is enough to power devices such as high-end displays, video conferencing systems, and industrial equipment.

The growth rate of Power over Ethernet (PoE) is expected to be significant in the coming years. According to a report by Market Research Future (MRFR), the global power over ethernet market is projected to reach an approximate valuation of USD 3.2 billion by 2030, growing at a 16.20% CAGR over the review period (2022-2030).

Electricity Packets

Panduit and VoltServer are marketing products that significantly increase the capabilities of low voltage systems with a creative approach. Panduit and Voltserver respectively refer to the products as Pulse Power and Digital Electricity™. The 2023 National Electric Code and Underwriters Laboratory refers to this as “Fault Managed Power Systems” or “Class 4 Power”.

The technology uses digital signal processing to transmit power over standard copper cables. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we distribute power.

It works by breaking down the power signal into a series of digital pulses. These pulses are then transmitted over the copper cable using a technique called "packetized power." The receiver then reassembles the pulses and converts them back into a power signal.

There are several advantages over traditional power distribution methods. First, it is more efficient. It can transmit power over much longer distances with less loss than traditional methods. Second, it is more secure. Digital electricity can be used to authenticate devices and prevent unauthorized access to power. Third, it is more flexible as it can be used to deliver power to a variety of devices, including those that are not traditionally powered by electricity.

There are several reasons why there is a market for Class 4 power in commercial office buildings. First, the demand for power-hungry devices is increasing. This includes devices such as data centers, electric vehicles, and industrial equipment. As the demand for these devices increases, so does the demand for Class 4 power.

Second, the cost of Class 4 power is becoming more affordable. This is due to the development of recent technologies that make it possible to produce Class 4 power more efficiently. As the cost of Class 4 power decreases, it becomes more feasible to use it in commercial office buildings.

Third, there is a growing awareness of the importance of reliability and uptime in commercial office buildings. Class 4 power can help to ensure that these buildings have a reliable source of power, even during power outages or other disruptions. This is becoming increasingly important as businesses rely on technology more and more.

Here are some of the key benefits of the technology:

• Longer distances: It can be transmitted over much longer distances than traditional electrical wiring. This makes it possible to power devices that are located farther away from a power source.

• Greater safety: It is safer than traditional electrical wiring because it uses digital signal processing to transmit power. This makes it less likely that there will be a fire or electrical shock.

• Greater efficiency: It is more efficient than traditional electrical wiring because it uses less energy to transmit power. This can save businesses and organizations money on their energy bills.

• Material savings: Install Pulse Power without conduit, junction boxes, breaker panels, or permits for less costly and faster deployment than traditional power.

Internet of Things—IoT

Commercial office buildings are increasingly using IoT. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects that are connected to the internet and can collect and exchange data. This data can be used to improve the efficiency, safety, and security of commercial office buildings.

There are a number of ways that IoT is being used in commercial office buildings. For example, IoT can be used to:

• Monitor and control building systems. IoT sensors can be used to monitor the temperature, humidity, and air quality in a building. This data can be used to optimize the building's HVAC system and improve the comfort of the occupants. IoT can also be used to control building systems, such as lights and doors, remotely.

• Track energy usage. IoT sensors can be used to track the energy usage of a building. This data can be used to identify areas where energy can be saved.

• Improve security. IoT sensors can be used to monitor access to a building and detect unauthorized entry. This data can be used to improve the security of the building and prevent theft or vandalism.

• Provide wayfinding and navigation. IoT sensors can be used to provide wayfinding and navigation assistance to occupants of a building. This data can be used to help people find their way around the building and locate specific areas.

• Provide occupant tracking. IoT sensors can be used to track the movement of occupants in a building. This data can be used to improve safety and security, and it can also be used to provide analytics about how the building is being used.

The use of IoT in commercial office buildings is still in its early stages, but it is growing rapidly. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global market for IoT in commercial buildings was valued at $141.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $650.5 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 16.7%. As the technology matures, we can expect to see even more innovative ways to use IoT to improve the efficiency, safety, and security of commercial office buildings.

Here are some of the benefits of using IoT in commercial office buildings:

• Improved efficiency: IoT can help to improve the efficiency of building operations by monitoring and controlling systems remotely. This can lead to savings on energy costs and other expenses.

• Increased safety: IoT can help to improve the safety of building occupants by monitoring for potential hazards and providing early warning of emergencies.

• Enhanced security: IoT can help to enhance the security of buildings by monitoring access and detecting unauthorized entry. This can help to prevent theft, vandalism, and other crimes.

• Improved occupant experience: IoT can help to improve the occupant experience by providing wayfinding and navigation assistance, as well as other personalized services.

Cordless Power

Cordless power is the newest technology for powering workstations and devices in commercial office buildings. PoE and Packeted Power solutions require cabling, albeit less costly than conventional 120V wiring, to power individual workstations. Cordless Power, utilizing lightweight batteries obviates the need for any wiring at all.

When devices are connected to cords and cables, the building environment has a fixed layout. A cordless solution frees users from being tethered to their power systems enabling an agile environment.

August Berres introduced cordless power in its Respond! product line starting in 2022 utilizing the Animate system from OE Electrics. Animate is a modular power and charging solution that allows furniture manufacturers to create agile furniture that provides power to users wherever they choose to sit, stand, or walk.

The Animate system consists of a range of components, including:

• QIKPAC batteries: These are small, lightweight batteries that can be installed in furniture to provide power to devices.

• USB chargers: These chargers can be installed in furniture to provide power to USB devices.

• Wireless chargers: These chargers can be installed in furniture to provide power to Qi-enabled devices.

• Power distribution modules: These modules can be used to distribute power from the batteries to the chargers.

• Data/AV connections: These connections can be used to provide data and AV connectivity to devices.

Today, August Berres creates simple power solutions using Animate for a variety of applications that do not require technical electrical expertise. For example, replaE is a series of products that can be incorporated by furniture installers into many third-party furniture applications such as laminate or veneer wood desks, panel systems furniture, or conference tables. Juce is a mobile product for large monitors or standalone monitor display applications.

Convergence

These five technologies are revolutionizing the way commercial buildings are being imagined. Large real estate companies are adopting them for new buildings.

However, existing buildings may provide the greatest opportunity. Every technology can be retrofitted. The applications are not limited to new structures. In many large cities, occupancy in office buildings is an issue partlcularly with older buildings. Not every issue with an older building relates to the lighting, HVAC, power distribution, or security systems. However, if the bones of the building are good, the rest of the changes can occur without significant structural alterations. An older building can be a smart building.

One of the best ways to be sustainable is to re-use or re-purpose existing structures. Owners and architects should take note of the possibilities.