Green buildings on the rise

As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, sustainable buildings are an important part of the solution. Whether residential homes, offices, hospitals or schools: Modern, smart buildings not only make life easier, but also contribute to a greener future. Beside the use of natural materials, renewable resources and an intelligent water management, energy efficiency is a crucial aspect of sustainable architecture.

According to the International Energy Agency (2023), buildings worldwide account for 30% of final global energy consumption, corresponding to 26% of global CO₂ emissions. The share of electricity in the energy mix is growing (currently at 35%). This results in total electric power consumption of around 2,700 TWh per year. There is a huge potential to save electric energy and make buildings greener. Equipped with advanced technologies, smart buildings harness renewable energy, optimize energy efficiency and increase people's well-being and comfort. Microelectronics in particular is an important contributor: Power components, sensors and microcontrollers can help save significant amounts of energy, avoid inefficient devices and reduce loss in renewable power generation. Semiconductors foster major technology concepts like demand-based consumption, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

From grey to green: tech for sustainable megacities

Panel discussion with leading experts in the world's most sustainable building. Watch full recording here.

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Investing in the future

Green buildings mean a lot more than green facades and energy-efficient insulation. They require a myriad of high-tech solutions to work together as a system. A driving force here is the growing interest of developers and investors in ESG-compliant real estate. One of the first prominent examples was the Pixel building in Melbourne, completed in 2010, the world's first carbon-neutral office building. You may also be familiar with "The Edge" in Amsterdam, a futuristic office building that uses solar panels, rainwater harvesting and smart design to achieve net-zero energy consumption. Also the "Cube" in Berlin, considered as "the world's modern building", is a truly smart building linking the technical systems with the operating and user data. Under the slogan "Tracking Everything", over 3,700 sensors supply the central electronic screen, an AI system platform, with information. This allows the heating, cooling and ventilation output to be regulated based on the number of people measured. Or take the Gulf region: In relatively extreme environmental conditions many initiatives are working on holistic and human-centered green building approaches, using optimal cooling strategies and maximizing energy savings.

Sensors are the building's nervous system

A key component of a green building is its sensor system: It continuously collects, analyzes and exchanges data from its environment about the operation and use of a building. Sensors, actuators and control units are interconnected in all areas and can be compared to a human nervous system that responds directly to signals, triggering certain reactions.

For example, sensors check the number of people in a room and how they move, the microcontroller analyzes the data and tells the building management system to adjust lighting, ventilation and temperature accordingly. Thus links energy consumption to actual demand and occupancy. There are various types of sensors from Infineon that enable this kind of "intuitive sensing", e.g. radar sensors, CO₂ sensors, pressure and acoustic sensors.

New ways to cool space

Nearly 20% of the EU's total energy consumption goes to heat and cool public buildings. As global temperatures rise, cooling in particular is on the increase. Over the next three decades the use of air conditioning will soar and will become one of the main drivers of global electricity demand. The IEA has identified high-efficiency air conditioners as one of three key factors in limiting this consumption. And health is another important aspect: Clean air is very important, especially in offices, schools and hospitals. An intelligent air conditioner equipped with Infineon sensors such as radar, acoustic or environmental sensors is a very innovative way to achieve multiple benefits: efficiency, health and comfort. Sensors let the air conditioning system 'see', 'hear' and 'feel' its environment so that it can adapt its performance to the real needs. The intelligent air conditioner modifies fan speed and swing scope depending on the number and location of people in the room (targeted cooling). It also measures the temperature, CO₂ concentration and air quality and supplies the right amount of fresh, cool air. In this way, advanced microelectronics increases well-being and significantly reduces energy consumption.

Sensor solutions for air conditioners

Certified environmental sensors for greener buildings

Ventilation is a key function of an air conditioner, where a built-in CO₂ sensor is a real advantage. The sensor measures the CO₂ concentration in the room and adjusts ventilation accordingly (demand-controlled ventilation). The room is supplied with a calculated amount of fresh air – as much as necessary. The sensor can also operate independently of a ventilation unit, signaling the right time to bring in fresh air from outside by opening and closing windows. This ensures healthy air quality for example for employees, students or patients. And it reduces the need for heating and cooling. For example, a ventilation system with an environmental sensor can save up to 55% of energy consumption. The effect is even greater when combined with smart thermostats and building automation.

Recently, Infineon's CO₂ sensor (XENSIV™ PAS CO2) passed the performance requirements defined by the internationally recognized green building certifications WELL and LEED. The sensor contributes to eleven features (e.g. optimized energy performance) that help buildings earn a number of points towards their certification.

Press release (2023): PAS CO2 sensor for certified buildings

Video: Infineon’s CO₂ sensor meets the highest measurement standards

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Efficient power and heat generation from renewable energy sources is another key lever in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. This includes technologies like photovoltaics and heat pumps.

Photovoltaic

Major buildings, such as shopping centers or office buildings, typically have large roofs that can be used for solar panels. The challenge is to capture as much solar energy as possible and to deliver it or store it without loss. Here, we count on innovative and reliable microelectronics in the inverter, such as SiC power components and gate drivers, complemented by control, sensor and connectivity solutions. These Infineon components ensure that solar energy can be harnessed, converted and stored reliably and efficiently. In 2022, Infineon components were installed into 2.5 million new solar systems, with the number expected to grow in the coming years.

Press Release: Infineon and SolarEdge

Find out more: Semiconductors for Renewable Energy

Heat pumps

Efficiency is also key for heat pumps. Their magic lies in their ability to use existing heat from the environment instead of generating it. They transfer stored thermal energy from soil, ground water and air into buildings. This approach means heat pumps consume less power than they ultimately deliver – a positive energy balance. Combined with energy storage systems, heat pumps can also absorb fluctuations in electricity generation from renewables. In addition to semiconductor solutions for renewable power plants and energy storage systems, Infineon also offers the entire portfolio needed to develop smart and efficient heat pumps, ranging from power modules, gate drivers and controllers to connectivity.

According to the IEA Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario, the number of heat pumps installed globally will increase to around 600 million in 2030.

Road to decarbonization with Infineon: Commercial air conditioning and heat pump

Find products and solutions: Commercial heatpump

Watch a video about the future of heating

Condition monitoring and predictive maintenance:
Avoiding inefficiencies

Fix problems before they happen: Preventing equipment and system failures such as a faulty elevator or a malfunctioning air-conditioner is essential to energy-efficient building operations. Green buildings therefore need ways to monitor the status of their applications and equipment (condition monitoring), to predict failures before they occur and to conduct predictive maintenance. Sensors placed inside or outside a device or in a room collect data reflecting the operating status. The data are then analyzed, for example, in an exact digital twin of a physical device or of the environment. This way, sensors can monitor the condition of heating, ventilation and cooling equipment (HVACs) and discover deviations from normal values that indicate reduced performance, increased power consumption or equipment failure. For instance, in an HVAC system, Infineon's air pressure sensor detects reduced airflow due to a clogged filter, the magnetic current sensor indicates motor failure and the microphone sensor detects noise anomalies in the compressor.

And air conditioning is just one example of where sensors can provide condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Elevators, valves and lighting are other critical areas where semiconductor-based systems and advanced software can provide seamless maintenance processes and ensure trouble-free, highly efficient building applications.

Video: Predictive Maintenance for Smart Buildings powered by Infineon

Power over Ethernet makes buildings greener

A high-performance information and communications technology infrastructure and the ability to transfer large amounts of data at high bandwidths are among the most important factors for modern buildings, e.g. offices. IP-based networks (Ethernet) are widely used in buildings because they are easy to install and maintain and they integrate well with existing infrastructure. However, Ethernet has one drawback: The power required is supplied via separate cable connections.

The introduction and evolution of the Power over Ethernet (PoE) standard helps overcome this problem for low-power and high-power devices such as IP phones, conferencing systems and Wi-Fi access points. This makes the use of energy much more efficient. Infineon has a long history of power supply expertise and offers a highly reliable and efficient MOSFET portfolio for powering PoE designs.

Discover solutions for reliable and efficient PoE power supplies

Comprehensive portfolio for efficient buildings

Smart buildings help reduce energy consumption and support the sustainable use of resources. Intelligently placed sensor systems build the foundation and allow sensor input to trigger actuators and automate decisions; Power management ICs, microcontrollers and security ICs also act as the crucial link between the real and the digital world.

Sensor systems enable predictive maintenance, reduced down-time and enhanced information. They enable building owners and users to reduce costs and thus support lifetime enhancement of devices as well as of installed equipment.

A great variety of innovative solutions support energy saving in modern buildings and turn them into self-aware, green and intelligent buildings – helping to meet the challenges of urbanization and climate change. Power semiconductors, microcontrollers and different types of sensors are able to significantly cut energy consumption and improve convenience and well-being of a building’s occupants.