Nico van der Merwe
Vice President of Home & Distribution UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric
A focus on the sustainability of businesses and cities cannot distract us from domestic consumption.
Residential housing is set to become the biggest consumer of electricity globally. EV charging, the electrification of heat and increased occupancy as more people work from home will see consumers’ electricity consumption dramatically increase over the next 10 years.
Efficient energy management is more important than ever to ensure homes are powered sustainably and intelligent enough to optimise their own energy needs, without sacrificing comfort. The basis for this goes beyond smart home technology and requires a fully connected and integrated power management system for the home. When consumers have real insight into the energy use within the home, they can make effective decisions that cut waste and have a real impact.
When consumers have real insight into the energy use within the home, they can make effective decisions that cut waste and have a real impact.
Sustainable homes of the future
Tomorrow’s sustainable homes will learn and anticipate when, where and how much energy is required to light, heat, power and charge to meet occupant needs effectively and sustainably. Advances in solar technology will make it a feasible energy source for a wider range of residential homes and geographies. Electric vehicles will double up as energy storage systems and intelligent smart meters will ensure buildings can produce, store and manage their own energy consumption too.
The result will be green, net zero homes that actively reduce our carbon footprint.
We can’t beat climate change in silos. People, governments and industries won’t be able to make a lasting dent in emissions unless they work together and devise a common approach. Ultimately, we must build a completely connected ecosystem that incorporates smart buildings, homes and grids to create hyper-efficient, sustainable and scalable cities. A shared approach that integrates and leverages digital technology will help us save the planet, while improving living standards for all.
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