U.S. Better Buildings Initiative partners have been contributing energy, water, and waste solutions designed to support an accelerated transition towards clean energy. This progress report from May 2021 underlines that building owners and plant managers faced significant new barriers to energy efficiency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: lower occupancy levels, the need to upgrade ventilation systems quickly, budget shortfalls, and layoffs/staffing disruptions. Despite these difficulties, new strategies and solutions have moved forward in four key areas essential to building a more efficient and cost-effective energy future.
Key Words: Architecture/Engineering, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud & Data Analytics, Energy Management, HVAC, Installation Equip/Diagnostics, Intelligent Building, Internet of Things (IoT), Large Building Controls/Automation, Lighting Systems/Controls