"Climate tech" as a new business model - sector coupling & Co2 reduction in real estate
Current situation and challenges
The building sector is primarily responsible for Germany's failure to meet its CO2 emission targets. According to the requirements of the Federal Climate Protection Act (KSG), these are to be completely reduced in the real estate sector by 2045, and a reduction of 55% compared to 1990 is already specified by 2030 (BMWK).
Decarbonization, the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions through the use of low-carbon energy sources in the building sector, targets the operating-phase of residential and commercial buildings, which currently accounts for 65 % of emissions. In Germany, the operating-phase of the entire real estate stock accounts for approximately 34% of final energy consumption (ZIA; BMWi). Heating in winter, air conditioning and cooling/ ventilation in summer, and electricity consumption for household appliances are the drivers of CO2 emissions here.
The emission targets can only be achieved through even more ambitious and consistent implementation of the energy transformation. In economic terms, this requires not only investments and skilled employees, but above all future-oriented energy & climate concepts and appropriate business models.
The solution: climate-friendly energy transition as a business model
ROCKETHOME aims to sustainably reduce emissions generated in buildings through the use of IoT technologies.
Methodically, we rely on the following Action Points in the modernization or new construction of buildings:
- Use of efficient energy hardware & systems based on renewable energies: Energy generation (PV/ solar panels, heat-pumps), storage (charging infrastructure, batteries, hydrogen storage in the future), and energy consumption (smart meters).
- Sector coupling via IoT platform: Bringing all energy feeds into the cloud, Intelligent energy management via automation
- Multi tenant platform as eco-system: Incentive-based interaction platform with tenants/ residents, property and asset manager
- New business models with ClimateTech.
These 4 action points reduce the CO2 consumption in the operating phase of the buildings in all stages.
Action Point 1: Efficient energy hardware & systems for the climate
With the use of photovoltaics on roofs, the energy supply of properties and neighborhoods can be made significantly more sustainable and avoids the generation of cost-intensive emissions. The offer of tenant electricity, i.e. the marketing of local photovoltaic electricity (PV electricity) to tenants, not only contributes effectively to climate protection, but also offers potential for new revenue streams. A residual electricity tariff from renewable sources serves as a supplement here in energy procurement. New PV models aimed at increasing the building's degree of self-consumptions are forward-looking concepts.
Coupled with the offer of charging infrastructure for electric cars, mobility becomes emission-free through the purchase of renewable energies in a district. Again, in terms of marketing the charging infrastructure, this is based on a new business model for the real estate industry, and avoiding emissions will help reduce operating costs. Marketing greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction quotas for electric cars makes the new technology more affordable for users and climate targets are more likely to be met in the district.
New technologies in heating, which accounts for about 70% of total energy consumption in buildings, bring significant benefits: The use of e.g. heat pumps powered by PV electricity or district heating - ideally from renewable energies - leads to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in properties and neighborhoods.
As an integrated energy service provider, ROCKETHOME Climate Solutions GmbH (RCS), which is part of the corporate group, can supply all the components (hardware, software & services) needed to equip properties and achieve CO2 targets. For this purpose, partnerships have been established with well-known and high-performing companies. The equipment technology can also be provided by the real estate companies themselves through their existing service providers. RCS coordinates all aspects for a smooth implementation of the technical building equipment (TGA planning).
Action Point 2: Networking in the neighborhood (sector coupling)
The integration of energy hardware and plant technology into a holistic energy ecosystem is an essential prerequisite for the optimization of energy flows. For this purpose, all systems are digitized and connected to the Climate IoT platform of ROCKETHOME via microservices (APIs) (sector coupling). With the corresponding Quarter Platform/ Smart Districts platform, the ecosystem is managed centrally via the cloud. This enables new energy concepts that optimize (1) decentralized energy generation, (2) storage and (3) consumption with each other. In particular, the connectivity reduces the amount of energy drawn from the grid and thus increases the self-consumption rate in buildings (degree of self-sufficiency in the building). More about the technology platform and the possibilities
Action Point 3: Incentive-based interaction platform with users
ROCKETHOME brings the necessary digital infrastructure to districts, enabling residents to behave in an energy-efficient manner. The networking and control ensures that users actually know their personal CO2 footprint and, with this knowledge, have the opportunity to reduce energy costs. This is achieved primarily by allowing residents to adjust their behavior in real time to the current energy situation based on greater energy transparency (incentive-based interaction). Devices such as the wallboxes, but also household appliances, are then switched on more consciously and automated.
Action Point 4: New business models with climate technology
These digital worlds of experience enable new business models based on "climate tech ". In the next few years, many innovations will emerge here that will bring opportunities for all market participants (e.g., load- and time-variable rates; real community models in districts or new value-added services).
It should not be forgotten that landlords and property owners will share in the cost of CO2 missons. CO2 prices are expected to rise further and significantly in the coming years. Investments in the climate-friendly refurbishment of existing buildings or an intelligent energy concept in new buildings will thus become an important success factor.
From the perspective of building management, the Digital Property Manager determines the performance of all properties in real time. Creating transparency increases awareness and provides concrete starting points for taking energy-saving actions. The property manager gives the property owner or asset manager the opportunity to encourage residents to adapt their behavior and thus reduce energy consumption. The individual or district-related footprint can be communicated using climate dashboards in the buildings but also via the tenant app. The cycle from transparency and communication to awareness and adaptation of behavior is an essential key to achieving the climate goals. In sum, the so called ESG goals are underpinned with real action points, values and analytics.
Are you interested? We offer the required consultation and conception for your individual project. Do not hesitate to contact us.
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Websites: www.rockethome.de, www.rockethome-climate.de, www.rockethome-estate.de
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