Schneider Electric: Digitized retrofits can cut office building carbon emissions by up to 70%, boosting energy efficiency.

Schneider Electric has released research from its digital energy division, which found that retrofitting office buildings with digitized building and power-management systems and replacing fossil fuel heating sources with electric and renewable energy can slash carbon emissions by up to 70%. The research also found that these systems can also reduce operational carbon emissions and reduce energy consumption by 42%, while replacing fossil-powered heating technologies with electric alternatives and installing renewables-powered microgrids can cut up to 28%. Schneider Electric’s research suggests that digital-first approach to retrofits is the most effective decarbonization strategy, as it applies to all building types and climates and yields lower initial carbon footprint during the retrofitting process. The company also suggests that building envelope upgrades, upgraded equipment such as light sensors and power factor correction transformers, digital optimization with modern building management systems controlling HVAC systems, and AI-enhanced controls and control control systems can reduce electricity use by upto 29% and 19.7%. The research suggests four primary pathways for office buildings to reduce carbon emissions: increase the building’s energy efficiency to reduce demand and electrify the building to meet demand with renewable energy sources.