Insights and observations from our practice and elsewhere
From ‘net zero’ to ZERO with grid-interactive efficient buildings
What is a grid-interactive efficient building, and why should we care? The short answer is: by becoming ‘conscious consumers’ of electricity, owners, operators and occupiers of buildings can save money, cut emissions, encourage more renewable energy investment,...
Freezers are Cool again!
With all the talk of batteries as we move towards a 100% renewable grid, have you wondered whatever happened to thermal storage? Thermal storage (ice, chilled water, hot water) originally achieved some prominence as a way to shift building load from peak to off-peak...
How Buildings Alive’s AI helps cut energy costs and carbon
Recently we released new artificial intelligence (AI) technology that changes the way energy is managed in buildings. How does it compare to generative AI technologies like ChatGPT, DALL-E and Midjourney? There are similarities in approach, but let’s wind back a bit...
Our clients are getting ‘real’ about carbon 24/7
Since September 2021, the automated monthly reports we send to our clients summarizing their portfolios' energy savings have contained a footnote that normally reads something like this one: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measured at hourly intervals throughout the...
What’s a high integrity offset?
The UN Secretary-General is widely regarded as the world’s top diplomat. So António Guterres’ language at the launch of a High-Level report on Net-Zero Commitments in November spoke volumes: Using bogus ‘net-zero’ pledges to cover up massive fossil fuel expansion is...
Ten action-packed years, so what’s next?
Buildings Alive started out ten years ago with a simple question: what would happen if you provided building operators with clear, daily feedback about the energy and environmental performance of their buildings? Would they find it motivating? Would they experiment?...
Making our business a force for good!
After a rigorous process, Buildings Alive is proud to announce that we have been certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). We join a global community of over 5000 companies across 158 industries in 85 countries. B Corp is a global community of businesses with a common...
2022 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
In August, the first in-person ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings (aka “Summer Camp for Energy Nerds” - around 1,000 of them) was held in Pacific Grove, California. Buildings Alive was privileged to present 3 papers (authored by Craig Roussac and Hao...
We Need Buildings to Help Solve the Energy Crisis
Surging gas, coal, and oil prices are driving up inflation and putting the global economy under enormous strain. Electricity prices too are on an upward spiral because, in most markets, expensive and unreliable gas and coal supplies are the primary fuel for...
Energy Impact of COVID Ventilation Strategies
As we enter Year 3 of the pandemic, it’s obvious that COVID-19 is going to be with us for a while. In response to living with the virus, some buildings have implemented revised ventilation strategies in an attempt to reduce likelihood of transmission in buildings and...
Fast forward to a carbon-free energy future, 24/7
With all the COP26 news last month, there was a lot to digest. One thing you may have missed was that in the United Nation's 'SDG7' pavilion an initiative was quietly released that we think will have a global impact - the launch of the 24/7 Carbon-free Global Energy...
What does five minute settlement on the grid mean for Australian buildings?
If you're in Australia, you may have heard about a rule change that commenced from the 1st of October regarding 5 minute settlement on the National Electricity Market (NEM). The main reason for the change is to support investment in 'fast-response' technologies...