How does ENGIE Solutions reduce operational and energy costs?

ENGIE Solutions employs a comprehensive approach to reduce operational and energy costs, leveraging advanced technology and data-driven strategies. At the core of this approach is a sophisticated Building Management System (BMS) that collects vast amounts of data from various building assets. This data collection is enhanced by deploying IoT sensors throughout client facilities, allowing for granular energy consumption and asset performance monitoring.

Our smart Operations and Maintenance (O&M) platform is crucial in this process. It automatically collects and analyses energy, asset, and facilities management data from hundreds of buildings across our projects in the UAE and GCC. Data is gathered as frequently as every 1 to 15 minutes, depending on the criticality of the project. This high-frequency data collection enables the creation of a detailed asset health score based on numerous data points, events, and alerts.

ENGIE Solutions also utilises AI and machine learning algorithms to process this data, applying business rules to identify patterns and anomalies. This approach allows for predictive maintenance, where potential issues are identified and addressed before they lead to equipment failure or energy inefficiency. By anticipating maintenance needs, organisations can reduce downtime, extend asset life, and optimise energy consumption.

The system also employs moving averages to establish a consistency index for each asset. This index helps determine whether an asset is underperforming or overperforming relative to its expected efficiency. When an asset is underperforming, corrective measures can be quickly implemented to bring it back to optimal efficiency.

What role does predictive maintenance play in improving energy efficiency for buildings?

Predictive maintenance can significantly improve energy efficiency by ensuring equipment operates at optimal levels, preventing energy waste from poorly performing or failing systems. This approach allows for timely interventions before issues escalate, maintaining peak efficiency of building systems. Predictive maintenance is crucial in enhancing energy efficiency in buildings by reducing energy consumption, minimising downtime, extending equipment lifespan, and improving operational efficiency. By predicting when equipment is likely to fail, maintenance can be performed proactively to prevent inefficiencies, thus reducing unnecessary energy consumption. 

This approach also helps schedule repairs before a breakdown occurs, ensuring that systems like HVAC are always running optimally since cooling accounts for a significant portion of a building's energy use. Additionally, regular and timely maintenance prevents excessive wear and tear, extending the lifespan of equipment and reducing the need for energy-intensive replacements. 

In what ways does ENGIE Solutions help organisations improve the energy efficiency of specific systems like HVAC and lighting?

Data shows that air conditioning accounts for over 60% of total energy consumption in the region. Therefore, improving the energy efficiency of cooling systems will significantly reduce CO2 emissions and accelerate the transition to carbon neutrality, in line with the region's national efficiency and sustainability targets. For HVAC, ENGIE employs energy-efficient fans, optimal heat recovery, and pressure optimisation to enhance the performance of HVAC systems. Volume flow controllers also efficiently manage air volumes, reducing costs and ecological footprints. Additionally, ENGIE focuses on upgrading HVAC systems to ensure they operate at peak efficiency, thereby reducing energy consumption and operating costs. For lighting systems, ENGIE promotes replacing traditional bulbs with LED lamps, which are significantly more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan. This switch not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers maintenance costs. 

Can you explain how ENGIE Solutions utilises Smart O&M to enhance energy-saving measures?

ENGIE Solutions' Smart O&M leverages data from connected assets to support condition-based and predictive maintenance models, ensuring maintenance is performed only when necessary, optimising resource use and reducing energy consumption. The platform uses AI-driven algorithms for fault detection and diagnostics (FDD), which helps identify inefficiencies and potential failures before they occur, leading to significant energy savings. By optimising maintenance schedules and reducing unnecessary maintenance activities, Smart O&M improves the overall operational efficiency of buildings, saving energy and reducing operational costs. ENGIE Solutions offers a guaranteed reduction in energy costs, typically between 5-15%, by using asset analytics and energy capabilities to identify and achieve operational energy efficiency.

What benefits do IoT-enabled remote monitoring bring to ENGIE Solutions' energy efficiency programs?

Recent advances in IoT technology deliver significant value in deploying highly advanced monitoring systems. ENGIE Solutions employs smart IoT platforms, including AI and machine learning, to automatically identify savings opportunities and potential issues. The Smart O&M platform automatically collects and analyses energy, asset, and facilities management data from hundreds of buildings across the UAE and GCC, with data collected as frequently as every 1 to 15 minutes, depending on project criticality. This real-time nature of data collection allows for rapid identification of inefficiencies and optimisation opportunities. This is supported by our Operations Control Centre, called the Integrated Centre for Engineering & Environment (iCEE), which improves energy and asset performance visibility and control across clients' portfolios. Furthermore, these IoT-enabled solutions can be scaled and adapted to diverse property portfolios, which is crucial for GCC clients with properties across the region. 

How does ENGIE Solutions support clients in creating and maintaining a strategic, long-term energy-saving programme?

ENGIE Solutions provides comprehensive solutions that combine operations, sector-based processes, smart technology, energy management, and alternative energy solutions. We also offer comprehensive as-a-service solutions that allow clients to focus on their core business while ENGIE manages energy efficiency, including the reliable supply of energy, management of multi-technical projects, and strict control of operating costs.

We emphasise the importance of long-term partnerships for digital transformation, leveraging over 20 years of experience managing one of the world's most extensive and diverse energy portfolios. We apply global standards and best practices to benefit our clients. Our Smart O&M solution has been developed and improved over many years by energy managers across our global network, ensuring clients benefit from constantly evolving best practices. Additionally, ENGIE Solutions helps clients align with government initiatives for sustainable development and decarbonization efforts, such as the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI), through which KSA aims to reach net zero emissions by 2060, and UAE's Green Agenda 2030, which supports the country's ambitions to reduce emissions to less than 100 kilowatt-hours.

Can you share any success stories or case studies where ENGIE Solutions has significantly reduced a client's energy consumption and costs?

ENGIE Solutions has worked on marquee regional projects supporting significant energy consumption and cost reductions.

ENGIE Solutions has significantly advanced Masdar City's sustainability goals by implementing innovative technologies that have reduced the City's energy consumption by 7%. These efforts include obtaining ISO 50001:2011 certification for systematic energy management, using IoT sensor solutions to enhance asset reliability, and conducting regular ASHRAE energy audits to identify energy-saving opportunities. Our commitment to sustainable procurement ensures that all service deliveries align with Masdar City's environmental objectives.

Since 2014, ENGIE Solutions has maintained and operated the non-core infrastructure and facilities of the Dubai Tram, achieving notable improvements in asset reliability and energy efficiency by switching to LED lighting and performing HVAC control optimisations. Introducing a Smart Energy Platform has enabled proactive technical analysis and automatic issue identification, ensuring the tram's smooth operation and setting a benchmark for sustainable urban transportation.

At the International Maritime Industries (IMI) mega project in Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia, which spans 12 million sqm and boasts more than 500 buildings, ENGIE Solutions utilises advanced Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) systems to optimise facility management. Our approach includes comprehensive performance management, financial management for future costing and lifecycle optimization, and real-time information on assets and subcontractor performance. Further, the synergy of SMART O&M and IoT enables ENGIE Solutions to achieve exceptional operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The benefits include real-time oversight, automated processes, and intelligent controls, leading to energy optimisation, minimised downtime, and better resource management. This integration of advanced technology ensures the project's smooth and efficient operation, highlighting ENGIE Solutions' expertise in large-scale facilities management projects. 

How does ENGIE Solutions' approach to facility management contribute to improving corporate sustainability programmes?

ENGIE Solutions helps clients contribute to corporate decarbonisation efforts while aligning with broader government initiatives for sustainable development. Our holistic approach combines energy management with facilities management, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainability. As an Energy Services Company, we help tackle energy and climate challenges facing organisations, tying decarbonisation to business and national objectives. We offer innovative solutions like on-site energy power generation, particularly solar, which reduces energy losses and costs associated with power transportation. 

A good example is our partnership with Nissan Middle East. Earlier this year, the vehicle distributor and ENGIE Solutions signed an MoU to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Nissan's regional headquarters in Jebel Ali, Dubai. This partnership marks a significant step in Nissan's commitment to sustainable business practices in the region. Under the 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), ENGIE Solutions will design, construct, finance, operate, and maintain the 3,000-square-meter solar energy system. The installation, set to begin later this year, is expected to generate over 700,000 KWh of clean energy annually, meeting approximately 30% of the facility's power requirements and offsetting 333 tons of CO2 emissions.

This initiative aligns with Nissan's global sustainability goals and the UAE's commitment to a carbon-neutral future. It's part of the automaker's broader strategy to reduce its environmental impact across its operations and supports the company's Nissan Ambition 2030 vision for a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world. The project will be implemented under the Shams Dubai smart initiative, launched by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), to promote solar energy adoption in buildings.