60% less energy – and the machines still run!

Maximising energy efficiency: a challenge for new and renovated buildings

Buildings use huge amounts of energy – for heating, air conditioning, lighting and other electrical applications. In Europe, they are the number 1 energy consumers. Reducing this footprint is crucial to save both money and the planet. GSE’s solutions can cut back energy use by up to 60% in logistics and industrial buildings.

Understanding and minimising waste with DTS and DES

To identify areas for improvement in energy consumption, we need to know where the waste occurs. We have two tools for this: Dynamic Thermal Simulations (DTS) and Dynamic Energy Simulations (DES). These complementary methods are as effective in renovation as they are in construction.

Dynamic simulations realistically analyse a building’s thermal and energy behaviour patterns over a given period. Calculations are based on customised scenarios – with varying occupancy, temperature settings, etc. – to closely approximate the building’s actual consumption and thereby optimise design choices for new projects (or determine areas for improvement in existing buildings).

Dynamic Thermal Simulation

Dynamic Thermal Simulation (DTS) analyses how a building behaves thermally, without taking into account equipment such as HVAC. It is a powerful tool to ensure that the building’s envelope provides adequate insulation and comfort and to calculate its energy requirements. It gives a clear picture of its passive energy efficiency.

Particular attention is paid to the building envelope – including the facades, roofing, floors and joinery. The quality of the materials and the precision of their installation are essential to ensure airtightness and enhanced insulation. This approach reduces thermal bridges, minimises heat loss in winter and prevents overheating in summer. It improves the building’s energy performance while enhancing indoor comfort and reducing the need for heating & air conditioning.

Here are some examples of DTS applications:

• Comparing various insulation methods
• Estimating the risk of indoor overheating in the summer
• Observing how the building’s orientation affects its energy requirements
• Assessing the effect of external thermal insulation on heating requirements and summertime comfort
• Calculating heating requirements to correctly size equipment

Dynamic Energy Simulation

Dynamic Energy Simulation (DES) complements Dynamic Thermal Simulation by assessing a building’s energy consumption, factoring in its actual use and equipment. This is an essential step for both newbuilds and renovations. DES helps measure energy efficiency and identify the corrective measures needed to predict future consumption and estimate the associated costs.

In practice, DES enables us to:

• Choose the most suitable heating technologies – such as a heat pump or a gas boiler
• Calculate air conditioning requirements
• Assess the effect of various types of ventilation on heating consumption
• Simulate how energy consumption varies according to the building’s occupancy and use
• Estimate the building’s future operating costs
• Verify that the design complies with environmental regulations

Blue Building: blue is the new green

GSE’s Blue Suite™ programme goes beyond the construction of eco-friendly buildings to focus also on societal aspects and ensure a project’s financial feasibility.

Three levels of solutions are offered, tailored to the needs & objectives of each project and client:

• Blue Building Essential: included as standard in all our buildings, this level includes proven technical solutions that exceed regulatory standards, such as low-carbon concrete.
• Blue Building Plus: focused on impactful solutions with controlled investments, this level enables energy savings of up to 60% (calculated in kWh/m²/year) for logistics and industrial buildings throughout France, whether heated to 12 or 19°C.
• Blue Building Premium: this high-end version includes the 360° integration of ambitious commitments in terms of carbon and energy, biodiversity, occupant comfort and the environmental impact of construction sites.

Calibrating BMS for performance, savings and sustainability

Building Management Systems (BMS) help optimise energy performance. Sometimes called Building Automation Control Systems (BACS), they are recommended everywhere and are mandatory in more and more markets for commercial real estate. They enable real-time monitoring and adjustment of energy consumption, based on an occupants’ habits and preferences. Complying with environmental regulations, BMS is a key tool for monitoring and achieving energy and carbon reduction targets. It also facilitates data collection, raises awareness among occupants and enables corrective actions to be implemented. In short, BMS combines performance, cost control and sustainability.

Construction in the era of sustainable buildings

It is crucial for the future of society to reduce energy expenditure, increase occupant comfort and minimise environmental impact. Aiming for carbon neutrality, the buildings of tomorrow need to achieve significant gains, such as a 60% reduction in energy consumption, which can also translate into an 80% reduction in the operational carbon of industrial and logistics buildings, measured in kgCO2eq/m²/year. These performances, which were once perceived as distant goals, are now within reach thanks to GSE’s Blue Suite™ concept. By taking action today, we are preparing for a sustainable future.