TECHNOLOGY AND GLOSSARY
Passive design leverages natural elements to enhance comfort and minimise energy consumption. Key principles include optimising building orientation, air sealing, continuous insulation, strategic window placement, and daylighting, while capitalising on natural ventilation opportunities.
Examples of passive strategies include external solar shading, internal blinds, deciduous planting for seasonal shading, northern aspect glazing, natural daylight utilisation, draught seals, and effective wall and roof insulation to regulate indoor conditions.
Examples of passive strategies include external solar shading, internal blinds, deciduous planting for seasonal shading, northern aspect glazing, natural daylight utilisation, draught seals, and effective wall and roof insulation to regulate indoor conditions.
Assumptions for CAPEX / OPEX Savings
- New buildings designed to achieve a minimum of 7-Star Green Star or NABERS 7-Star equivalency.
- CAPEX includes initial development of performance specifications and additional investment proportional to building cost for passive design integration.
- OPEX savings benchmarked against a 4-Star building, incorporating reductions in HVAC and lighting energy use.
Future Trends in TRL and Pricing
- As NCC 2024 Section J requirements and high-performance Green Star/NABERS buildings become mainstream, CAPEX cost increases are expected to decline.
- Greater adoption of passive design principles will drive efficiencies, reducing the gap between conventional and high-performance designs.
Timeframes for FEED & Construction Trials
- Upfront investment in passive design specifications or minimum performance standards recommended for future projects.
- No anticipated impact on FEED and construction timeframes.
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) & Commercial Readiness Index (CRI)
- NCC 2024 revisions to Section J enhance regulatory requirements, ensuring passive design measures are well-integrated into industry standards.
- TRL: 9 (fully operational and commercially viable).
- CRI: 6 (steadily increasing adoption).
Operational Life & Considerations
- Negligible maintenance or replacement costs compared to conventional building elements.
- Long-term performance gains with minimal additional upkeep requirements.
- Potential Downstream Opportunities
- Passive design is limited to individual buildings but should be integrated into broader urban planning strategies for long-term sustainability.
- Communicating benefits to prospective tenants can encourage continued adoption and reinforcement across developments.
PROS
- Significant energy savings and improved resource efficiency.
- Higher capital value for building stock over time.
- Reduced risk of obsolescence with future-proofed sustainability measures.
CONS
- Challenges in meeting performance targets during seasonal extremes (hot summers, cold winters).
- Increased initial design and construction costs, though offset by operational savings.
RISKS
- Limitations on window areas, openings, and configurations may impact ability to meet specific client requirements.
- Passive design elements may be deprioritised or overridden in later project stages by contractors.
IoT Sensors & Facilities Management (FM)
The Internet of Things (IoT) integrates sensors and monitoring equipment into a central Facilities Management (FM) system, enabling continuous oversight and optimisation of facility operations. A well-executed integration strategy balances performance with cost efficiency, laying the foundation for an advanced workplace management system.By leveraging intelligent sensors, connected devices, platforms, and analytics, errors are minimised, while operations become more seamless and predictable.
This approach enhances planned maintenance and asset renewal while significantly reducing costly ad-hoc interventions, providing full visibility over a facility’s systems and performance.
This approach enhances planned maintenance and asset renewal while significantly reducing costly ad-hoc interventions, providing full visibility over a facility’s systems and performance.
Assumptions for CAPEX / OPEX Savings
- Ad-hoc maintenance expenses—including lost revenue and reputational impacts—far exceed planned maintenance costs.
- CAPEX calculations based on nominal cost-benefit analysis over a five-year horizon.
- OPEX savings estimated as a percentage reduction in unplanned maintenance events.
Future Trends in TRL and Pricing
- Increasing availability of Wi-Fi-enabled IoT transducers continues to drive costs downward, improving feasibility.
- Standardised communication protocols are accelerating adoption and interoperability across different FM systems.
Timeframes for FEED & Construction Trials
- Trials and review of existing performance are recommended for new and existing facilities to refine predictive maintenance algorithms.
- Initial six- to twelve-month trials followed by phased full-facility deployment based on learnings.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL) & Commercial Readiness Index (CRI)
- Digital Twins are becoming mainstream, particularly in advanced facility designs.
- TRL: 9 (fully operational technology)
- CRI: 6 (industry adoption in progress)
Operational Life & Considerations
- Annual sensor calibration recommended for consistent accuracy and optimal performance.
- System updates and refinements to improve predictive maintenance over the lifecycle.
Potential Downstream Opportunities
- Space utilisation optimisation through real-time configuration adjustments.
- Data-driven procurement strategies ensure that plant and equipment purchases align with usage insights.
PROS
- Continuous energy regulation results in measurable consumption savings.
- Proactive asset monitoring allows issues to be addressed before they become critical.
- Predictive maintenance reduces unnecessary interventions while improving equipment uptime.
- Advanced algorithms predict failure points, enabling maintenance without disrupting operations.
CONS
- Retrofitting IoT infrastructure in existing facilities can be complex.
- Connectivity costs may present an initial financial barrier.
- Over-monitoring risks diminishing cost benefits if sensor density is excessive.
RISKS
- Potential contractor override of recommended service intervals, affecting predictive maintenance efficiency.
- Data security and system vulnerabilities in connected environments require mitigation measures.
DATASHEETS