Blueprint for Net Zero
SOLUTIONS
PILLAR 2
Leveraging a holistic approach to realize decarbonization, sustainability targets
Redefining innovation to impact sustainability
As the commercial building sector strives to reduce energy use and operational costs related to plumbing and HVAC systems, water technology providers have shifted their focus from looking at the energy efficiency of single components or products to optimizing efficiency throughout the entire system, i.e., holistic solution design.
High-efficiency pumps and drives offer one of the biggest opportunities to achieve smarter, more efficient buildings. Today, integrated motor and drive solutions like Xylem’s hydrovar® X-enabled or e-90E Smart Pumps are poised to transform the built environment. The e-90E's IE5 ultra-premium smart motor and variable speed drive solution, for instance, can reduce motor power up to 70% by ensuring the pump only operates at the required speed, depending on the demand variations of the system. Such customizable pumping solutions present significant energy-saving opportunities. Additionally, they are free of rare earth metals, addressing environmental concerns and minimizing product availability challenges.
Other smart components like variable speed drives can drastically enhance the adaptability and flexibility of HVAC systems. One of the key advantages of VFDs is the ability to adjust pump speed and staging in relation to actual demand or pressure changes. By providing what is required, when required, a user can realize significant cost savings. Additionally, modern pressure boosting packages afford the opportunity to apply a few smaller pumps in parallel, which spreads out mechanical wear while also providing redundancy in the case of planned or unplanned downtime.
To align with these efforts and evolving greenhouse gas emission reduction policies, manufacturers continue to introduce more efficient solutions, often relying on connectivity and IoT technology to power the shift to decarbonization. Among the latest trends in service solutions to help optimize building operations and minimize carbon emissions are:
The evolution of smart building technology is an essential step in addressing the challenges of energy consumption and environmental sustainability in large commercial buildings. As technology continues to advance, the industry can expect even more innovative solutions and increased adoption of these systems to create smarter and more comfortable buildings.
“A focus on end-to-end solutions that holistically address the built environment will be crucial to effectively address the challenge of decarbonization,” said Xylem’s Jim Nolan.
Xylem setting the bar
In 2020 alone, Xylem’s high-efficiency technologies and digital solutions collectively helped customers reduce their carbon footprint by 0.68 million metric tons of CO2, equivalent to keeping 150,000 cars off the road for a year.
Scaling innovation
As climate change exacerbates drought conditions around the world, harnessing new sources for water can help address an urgent problem. Imagine a device that can extract moisture from air to provide drinking water, control humidity in indoor spaces or scale water production capacity. That’s just one solution startups working with Xylem Innovation Labs (XIL) are bringing to market to address global water issues.
Launched in 2022, XIL created its accelerator program to expedite the introduction of innovative technologies to tackle growing water challenges worldwide. So far, the program has supported 35 companies from 13 countries.
This collaborative approach is designed to address the pain points of technology adoption in the water sector. By putting strategy before technology, XIL is identifying solutions that align with strategic priorities to deliver measurable value and create momentum for further innovation.
Joule Case, a member of the 2024 accelerator cohort, saw the value in adopting that mindset. XIL initially tapped the company, which provides modular energy supply systems, for its potential in the dewatering pumps market, but has since identified other potential markets, including commercial building services.
“Part of our strategy is to first try to understand the company’s technical efficacy. As we begin to integrate the solution, there’s always some adjustment to fit the technology across applications,” said Kyle Schoenheit, XIL’s innovation manager, who has worked in various capacities with Xylem and its brands for more than 25 years. “Our end goal is to help bring meaningful solutions to the user.”
“Partnering with Xylem has enhanced SEAS’ credibility and opened up our network of potential customers and distributors,” said Larry Graev, a founding partner of Société de l'Eau Aérienne Suisse (SEAS), which develops atmospheric water generation systems.
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Opportunities and obstacles associated with new and emerging technologies
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Innovations impacting the future of HVAC
The digital transformation of water offers unprecedented opportunities to advance sustainability. The next five years will see rapid acceleration in the use of digital tools within the commercial HVAC sector, surpassing advancements of the past decade.
There are a flurry of new HVAC innovations and technologies defining the industry’s future. For instance, phase change materials (PCMs) used in HVAC systems can absorb and release large amounts of thermal energy as they change state from one phase to another. PCMs are used in thermal energy storage systems to store heat or coolness for later use, reducing the need for continuous operation of compressors and electric heating elements during peak times.
App-based solutions make it even easier to save energy, and track cost savings. The powerful insights and functionality these tools afford create significant cost, energy and water savings. While there aren’t any regulatory drivers yet for load management or app-based resources in commercial applications, this type of connectivity is gaining in popularity.
As our world moves toward more energy-efficient choices, the water heating industry can help lead the way with research, customized solutions to make the product applicable in a variety of settings and support for building professionals.