‘Smart retrofitting’ will be crucial to net zero aspirations

“Smart retrofitting” that uses data gleaned from artificial intelligence (AI), analytical software, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is critical to achieving net zero buildings, according to new research from construction technology provider Asite.

By 2050, 75% of buildings that exist today will be energy inefficient, making wide-scale energy retrofits essential to the goal of a net zero built environment. A global strategy that incorporates models using data from digital twins—digital representations of assets, processes, and systems—will help optimize retrofit investments, Asite says.

A simulation model can be compared to measured sensor and meter data in a building. “This calibrated model then becomes a digital asset,” the Asite report says. “In the case of retrofitting, digital twins enable the retrospective analysis of existing structures to deliver necessary transformation.”

The report also discusses retrofitting on a global scale, examining government and organization policies and initiatives from around the world.