- Zero-emission buildings: CO₂-neutral buildings through technologies such as photovoltaics and smart metering.
- Sustainable systems: Heating and cooling solutions such as heat pumps and solar thermal replace fossil fuels.
- IIoT: Smart systems reduce energy consumption by up to 35%.
- LoRaWAN: Efficient monitoring of large buildings without complex cabling.
- Energy storage: Storage systems reduce costs and improve the use of renewable energy.
- Free Cooling: Cooling with outside air saves energy and improves the indoor climate.
Welcome to the energy management of the future! If you thought saving energy was only for ecologists or dusty engineers, you’re in for a surprise. The hottest (and coolest) trends that will reduce your energy bill and minimise your carbon footprint are ready to be discovered.
We have put a lot of effort into researching for you which trends in energy management will sustainably optimise your building in 2025, especially with regard to non-residential buildings such as hotels, hospitals, care homes, offices and educational institutions. Are you ready? Then let’s get started!
Trend 1: Zero-emission buildings – the superhero among buildings
Imagine a building that emits zero CO₂. Sounds like science fiction? But it’s the new reality! Thanks to smart designs, optimised insulation and renewable energies such as solar and geothermal energy, you can turn your building into a green power plant. Zero-emission buildings rely on pioneering technologies such as photovoltaics, which can cover up to 80% of electricity requirements, and smart metering systems that monitor energy consumption in real time. In the long term, you not only save costs, but also do something for the environment.
A building that is efficient and sustainable not only increases its market value, but also makes you a climate saver in your city. It is the path to a greener future, where profitability and environmental awareness are not mutually exclusive. Not to mention compliance with numerous laws and standards. This makes zero-emission buildings one of the trends for 2025 in energy management.
Trend 2: Intelligent control systems (IIoT) – digitalisation makes it possible
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is revolutionising the control of your building. Everything is becoming smart: sensors, heating, lighting – and you? You save, and you save big. Real-time monitoring helps you to recognise and rectify energy losses, while automated adjustments to heating and lighting can save up to 35% energy.
Imagine hotel rooms that only heat up when guests are present, or office spaces that are only lit when people are working there. IIoT makes this possible and brings not only efficiency but also convenience. Digitalisation makes energy management simpler, more sustainable and more profitable than ever before.
This trend is particularly focussed on intelligent platforms, such as better.energy from Betterspace. You can use it to automatically control radiators and/or fan coils and monitor your heat consumption at the same time. What’s more, you reduce CO2 emissions and only use as much heat as you need without sacrificing comfort.
| Advantage | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Real-time monitoring | Recognise energy losses immediately |
| Automation | Optimum control of systems |
| Cost savings | Up to 30 % less energy consumption |
Trend 3: LoRaWAN – the silent revolution
LoRaWAN sounds like a magical language, but it is the technological basis for your modern energy management. This technology is used to transmit small amounts of data over long distances with minimal energy consumption. Battery-operated sensors, such as radiator thermostats or window and door contacts, remain functional for up to 10 years and reliably monitor your building parameters.
| Feature | Significance for energy management |
|---|---|
| Long battery life | Lower maintenance costs |
| Long range | Perfect for large buildings or sites |
| Cost efficiency | No expensive cabling required |
LoRaWAN scores particularly highly in large building complexes or older infrastructures, thanks to its cost efficiency and flexibility. It requires no complex cabling and makes your energy management fit for the future. Whether it’s temperature monitoring in care homes or energy efficiency in schools, LoRaWAN offers clear advantages and sets new standards. As a modern, reliable and scalable wireless technology, LoRaWAN is definitely one of the 2025 trends in energy management.
Trend 4: Sustainable heating and cooling systems – the multitaskers of building technology
Why use different systems for heating and cooling when you can have both simultaneously and sustainably? With technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal energy and ice storage, you can replace fossil fuels and reduce your energy costs at the same time. Sustainable heating and cooling systems are therefore part of the 2025 trend in energy management.
Heat pumps utilise ambient heat from the air, ground or water, while solar thermal energy taps into the power of the sun. Ice storage systems offer innovative solutions for heating and cooling energy by utilising the energy from the phase change from water to ice. These systems make your building efficient and future-proof – a perfect combination of economy and sustainability.
| System | Energy source | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pumps | Air, ground, water | High efficiency, versatile |
| Solar thermal energy | Sun | Low operating costs, CO₂-free |
| Ice storage | Water energy | Innovative, efficient for heating/cooling |
Trend 5: Thermal energy storage – your energy savings bank
Thermal energy storage systems are like a piggy bank for surplus energy. Instead of wasting energy, you store it so that you can use it later. Regardless of whether sensitive storage units store heat in water or latent storage units rely on phase changes – the benefits are enormous.
With thermal storage, you can reduce peak loads, make use of favourable energy times and use renewable energy sources even more efficiently. In buildings with high energy requirements, such as schools or clinics, this technology makes the difference between high costs and sustainable efficiency.
| Advantage | Significance for energy management |
|---|---|
| Efficient | Reduces peak loads by up to 50 |
| Cost-saving | Uses favourable energy times |
| Sustainable | Makes renewable energies storable |
Trend 6: Digitally assisted hydronic balancing – for perfectionists
Sounds complicated, but it’s a revolution for heating systems. With digitally assisted hydronic balancing, smart thermostats measure the flow rates and optimise heat distribution in the building. This not only saves energy, but also costs.
This balancing is a decisive factor for efficiency, especially in large non-residential buildings. With digital tools, you can optimise the distribution of heating energy and significantly reduce operating costs. Make sure that the thermostats are certified (TÜV) – so you get the best out of your heating system. It is important to note that the entire hydronic balancing process cannot be digitalised; individual steps are still the responsibility of the specialist. However, digital thermostats certified for hydronic balancing take a lot of work off your hands and are therefore definitely one of the 2025 trends in energy management.
Trend 7: Free cooling and natural ventilation – a breath of fresh air for your building
If you like fresh air, free cooling will be your new best friend. This technology uses cool outside air to temper rooms without the need for energy-intensive air conditioning systems. Natural ventilation complements the system by bringing fresh air into the building through windows or vents.
Free cooling and natural ventilation not only save energy, but also improve air quality and the well-being of users, making them one of the 2025 trends in energy management. These techniques are particularly effective in office buildings, schools and hotels and help to lower operating costs and reduce CO₂ emissions. With the right planning, you can create a healthy and sustainable indoor climate that inspires.
Conclusion: Your future starts now
Whether it’s zero-emission buildings, IIoT or free cooling – the future of energy management is here, and it’s waiting for you. With the right technologies and a little courage, you can not only save the environment, but also your wallet. So, what are you waiting for? Become part of the energy revolution!
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Sources and further information:
- Federal Environment Agency: Energy-saving buildings
- IEA: Net Zero by 2050
- A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector
- IG BCE Labour and Environment Foundation: Sector Outlook 2030 : The Energy Industry: Electricity and Heat
- WWF: Megatrends of the global energy transition