Integrated data platforms are consolidating as the transformation engine in the energy efficiency of cities, positioning itself as a strategic component in the development of the so -called Smart Buildings and urban heating and cooling networks (DHC). This trend not only responds to the growing global interest in sustainability, but is based on the accelerated adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced data analytics systems.
The global market for smart buildings will experience highlighting this year, with estimates that vary between 117 and 252 billion dollars, according to different reports such as Fortune Business Insights. The sector is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 21.8 % and 29.7 %, reflecting the sustained progress of digital solutions for efficient resources management.
The data as a resource: platforms that connect everything
One of the main drivers of this evolution is the consolidation of integrated digital platforms, capable of connecting, managing and analyzing in real time all assets of an urban building or network. These solutions allow from the energy optimization of air conditioning, lighting and parking systems, until the anticipation of maintenance needs by digital twins.
“The combination of data into integrated platforms is transforming energy efficiency and marking the way to sustainable cities,” says Beatriz Bolonio, Solids Selling Buildings & Industry of Xylem Vue. The company, specialized in technologies for water and energy management, highlights the importance of having centralized solutions capable of operating with multiple data sources and generating contextual intelligence for decision making.
Commercial buildings: protagonists of energy digitalization
The commercial buildings segment is emerging as the main beneficiary of this transformation, with a forecast to represent 53 % of the market of Smart Buildings In 2025. Digitization in this type of real estate not only reduces operational costs, but also increases energy resilience and facilitates compliance with increasingly demanding environmental regulations.
In addition, the use of prediction technologies, combined with cloud control systems and intelligent sensors, allows an agile response to fluctuations in energy consumption, guaranteeing the maximum use of resources with the minimum environmental impact.
DHC urban networks: Thermal efficiency at the service of smart cities
Parallel to the development of smart buildings, urban heating and refrigeration networks (DHC) are gaining prominence in the plans for the sustainability of governments and municipalities. These infrastructure, increasingly present in smart cities, allow to distribute thermal energy efficiently, integrating renewable sources and residual heat recovery systems.
“Through constant monitoring, platforms optimize energy flow, improve operational efficiency and guarantee a quick response to demand fluctuations,” they explain from Xylem Vue. These networks not only contribute to the reduction of emissions, but also promote a circular energy model, by incorporating technologies that reuse heat of industrial processes or buildings.
In addition to their positive impact on the environment, DHC networks also stand out for their low maintenance cost and their ability to reduce the operational footprint of densely populated urban areas. This comprehensive approach consolidates to digital platforms such as the cornerstone of the transition to an intelligent, efficient and sustainable urban model.
