Smart Buildings & Energy 2019

IoT technologies are revolutionizing the building automation systems. From reducing the operating costs to improving the occupant experience, the tangible business outcomes delivered say one thing: IoT is here to stay and it will totally transform the building industry. Tight budgets leave little room for unexpected surprises, and while recent periods of low-wage growth and stable energy costs have helped ease the management burden, these trends will not last forever. So how can facility managers and business leaders better manage variability? Generating data is great, but have you tried actionable data? Leverage the wealth of data available from today’s building systems through IoT-enabled connectivity and you will solve real business issues as well as drive more outcomes from a facility. Align technology, business operations and  your facilities management practices to positively impact your bottom line.

• The latest trends and technologies making connected building advancements an enterprise’s greatest and largest asset 
• Ideas on where to start – What needs to be implemented early on and what system works best for your building? 
• What partnerships are key to building interconnectivity between devices? Does it all need to be the same or is variety in technology, hardware and software the way forward? Are Cloud and Mesh Systems the vital components? 
• How to understand the data and glean insights 
• The solutions these systems provide for the IoT ecosystem, e.g. economic advantages for retail, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturers and more

To discuss the benefits, challenges and lessons that we have learnt in the process of adopting and deploying large number of heterogenous IoT devices that are geographically distributed. From technical complexities to deployment and support challenges.

• Buildings are talking to us – Utilising the real-time data can help businesses progress in digitalisation, efficiency, facility management and cost 
• The benefits of large-scale networking within buildings  
• How sensors can be used to detect issues/ changes in processes ahead of these becoming problems 
• It’s not a one size fits all rule – standalone devices vs integrated infrastructure appliances 
• Is the upfront cost worth it or is money spent elsewhere more beneficial?

• Discussing the benefits of IoT applied energy technology on managing energy usage, cost efficiency, increase resiliency and environmental sustainability 
• What are the benefits of implementing smart grids for distributed energy resources such as those generating, storing and using energy? What role does supply and demand play within smart and micro-grids and how are these demands managed? 
• Using smart grids to track and automate distribution of energy across these resources and increase operational efficiency 
• How can smart grids help improve the safety of power distribution – Predictive maintenance and beyond

OVO Energy has been on a 3 year journey that has seen it transformed from a pure play energy retailer in the UK market, into an international energy business with deep expertise in distributed energy technologies. OVO’s energy tech offerings continue to evolve rapidly, and now include a Smart Electric Heat proposition and an energy offering for electric vehicle drivers that comes with a free smart EV charger. Tom Pakenham, Director of Electric Vehicles at OVO, will explain how the company has gone about this transition and the challenges faced along the way.