Glossary: the A to Z of sustainability

AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure)

Advanced metering infrastructure is an integrated, fixed-network system that collects, stores, analyses and presents the utilities usage data. Its round-the-clock monitoring of electricity and water usage, enables a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable approach in managing utilities.

AMI comprises two components: standards-compliant and revenue-grade AMI meters that register readings at half-hourly intervals, and a secure and robust in-building Radio Frequency (RF) mesh network that is scalable and cost efficient.

Learn how AMI enables an easier and more accurate process for tenant submetering.

As for AMI meters, there are two types: single-phase and three-phase. The type of meter required for your premises depends on your premises' voltage intake level.

Read about advanced electricity meters here.

ACMV (Air Conditioning Mechanical Ventilation)

An ACMV system controls the temperature, relative humidity, cleanliness and distribution of air in air-conditioned spaces. ACMV maintains the comfort condition irrespective of the outdoor ambient condition. For a tropical country like Singapore, this means maintaining cool indoors throughout the year.

Cooling in a building can account for up to 60% of its energy usage. Smart energy control and operations could contribute to significant energy savings and cost optimisation.

SP Digital’s GET™ Control features Thermal Comfort which reduces ACMV system costs and lowers carbon emissions. It does so by monitoring and controlling all factors that impact thermal comfort, including heat loads, set point of temperature, airflow and humidity, which are often beyond the capabilities of legacy control systems.

SP Digital’s GET™ Control also features Dynamic Chilled Water Balancing which understands, analyses and optimises the overall performance of the ACMV system, delivering energy efficiencies while enabling the chilled water system to maintain comfort using less chilled water.

Airflow optimisation

We all need fresh air. In the tropics, airconditioning systems in buildings take in warm air from the outside, in exchange for the cool air inside. It’s a process that consumes energy, so optimising the airflow will also optimise energy efficiency.

In addition to basics such as clearing and cleaning vents and filters, and sealing ducts, there are solutions that take airflow optimisation to the next level.

SP Digital’s GET™ Control features a smart damper system that divides a large open plan office into micro-zones with individual airflow control on each air-conditioning diffuser. More control and better airflow result in evenly cooled spaces for greater occupant comfort, and greater energy efficiency.

What’s more, GET Control applications such as Dynamic Airflow Balancing (DAB) leverage predictive machine learning algorithms to optimise temperature capacity by redirecting conditioned air to the spaces that need it most, a strategy which is proven to lower utility consumption.

Anomaly

An anomaly refers to an object or situation that is outside the norm - it is something abnormal or peculiar. An anomaly in utilities data shows a deviation from the usual numbers or patterns. A higher than usual level of water usage could be indicative of a water leak, perhaps from a drippy tap or burst pipe. Anomalies in electricity usage could be due to equipment fault or a change in demand.

When data falls outside the usual limits, SP Digital’s GET™ Insights will send an alert, enabling you to investigate the cause of it. If there is a fault, it can be rectified promptly.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial Intelligence is all the rage. From writing an email, to making 3D drawings for a building’s interior, AI can quickly generate suggestions and continue to process data. SP Digital’s GET™ is a suite of solutions that leverages AI and big data analyses to drive decarbonisation at scale. SP Digital’s GET™ Control, the self-learning building intelligence system for indoor air quality, leverages AI and IoT to optimise airflow and ensure even cooling of the building space.

BCA - Building and Construction Authority

Much more than a regulator of buildings, BCA is a strong advocate for sustainability, and leads in shaping a liveable and smart built environment for Singapore.

BCA aims to green 80% of our buildings’ gross floor area by 2030. BCA works closely with the construction industry to adopt sustainable practices and also provides test-bed platforms for the research and development of innovative green building solutions for the tropics. Its Super Low Energy (SLE) Programme promotes energy efficient buildings through incentive and financing schemes, while its BCA Green Mark, an internationally recognised green building certification scheme for the tropical climate, promotes the greening of buildings.

More information here.

Built environment

Singapore is among the world’s greenest cities with almost 47% of it being green space. However, the built environment contributes some 20% to the country’s carbon emissions. While new buildings can be constructed with sustainability in mind, much of the built environment can be decarbonised through greener operations such as reducing utilities consumption or switching to renewable energy sources.

Carbon capture and storage

Carbon capture refers to the process of isolating carbon dioxide (CO₂) and preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. There are currently two main strategies:

Capturing CO₂ in emissions-intensive industries through new technologies. Research is underway to use metal-organic materials to absorb the gas or membrane technology to capture CO₂ molecules.
Direct air capture which uses chemical reactions to pull CO₂ out of the air.

Captured CO₂ can be used to create new products and services, such as building materials like CO₂-mineralised concrete and to boost crop yield in greenhouses.

Carbon storage: CO₂ can be compressed and liquefied before it is transported on ships or via pipelines. It can be pumped into deep geological formations, stored on land or under the sea.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is widely regarded as an important technology to mitigate climate change at a relatively low cost.

Read more about the technological aspects of CCS here.

Carbon emissions

While carbon dioxide (CO₂) occurs naturally as a trace gas in the earth’s atmosphere and is a byproduct of cellular respiration (e.g. when we breathe out), the number one source of CO₂ emissions is the burning of fossil fuels.

Carbon contributes to greenhouse gases, trapping warm air that rises, and affecting the climate. As carbon dioxide represents almost 80% of the total volume of greenhouse gases (GHG), the term “carbon emissions” is often used to represent GHG emissions.

Carbon Tax

To bring down carbon emissions and drive investment in cleaner energy options, governments are putting a price on carbon.

Singapore was the first to implement a carbon tax in Southeast Asia, on 1 January 2019. This carbon tax currently covers 80% of our total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from about 50 facilities in the manufacturing, power, waste, and water sectors.

The carbon tax level was set at S$5/tCO₂e for the first five years from 2019 to 2023 to provide a transitional period for emitters to adjust. It was raised to S$25/tCO₂e with effect from 2024. It will be raised to S$45/tCO₂e in 2026 and 2027, with a view to reaching S$50-80/tCO₂e by 2030.

The trajectory is to accelerate the pace of transformation needed to align with Singapore's national climate goals. Businesses are compelled to invest in low-carbon solutions in order to remain competitive in the low-carbon future.

Data

Our way of life is now reliant on data: weather forecasts, road navigation, tracking of flights, shipments… down to your piece of luggage at the airport. Data is the basis of information and insights, creating smart systems and informing our sustainability strategies. Data is in every aspect of SP Digital’s suite of solutions, collated from smart devices such as smart meters in granular detail to generate valuable information for managing utilities. Read how data is monitored and analysed in GET™ Insights, and how data is the basis for empowering customers in their sustainability journey.

Decarbonise

To decarbonise is to remove or reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) output into the atmosphere. Decarbonisation is achieved by switching to low carbon energy sources, and to consume less resources in the first place. Small actions by individuals can add up such as by reducing single-use plastics, driving less, recycling old materials. You might be surprised at how much carbon an individual can emit.

As 70% of a building’s emissions are due to building operations (lights, lifts, air conditioning, machinery etc), a building can decarbonise through smart management of energy and water consumption. SP Digital’s GET™ is a suite of solutions that integrates different building systems and diverse data sources to create a seamless, sustainable utilities management experience. Leveraging digitalisation and big data analyses, GET enables building stakeholders to drive decarbonisation at scale.

Digitalise

In the past, information was kept in physical or hard copy format. Now, information is coded in digital format, and can be read, stored and retrieved by smart devices. For instance, a photograph in your smartphone is digitalised, and can be stored and retrieved remotely, wherever you may be, and whenever you choose to.

When utilities data is digitalised, it can be granular and insightful, as evidenced by GET Insights.

Digitalised dashboard: In the utilities context, this digitalised dashboard allows you to view your buildings’ utilities performance 24/7. Data visualisation provides the essential information at a glance, with half-hourly data consumption updates, and alerts on possible anomalies. Through the utility monitoring and insights dashboard, you can manage, monitor, report, analyse and optimise utilities usage, while identifying wastage and cost efficiencies to help achieve sustainability targets.

Digitalised meter reading: This does away with manual meter reading, which is time-consuming and error-prone. With the changeover to smart meters that capture and send accurate utilities usage data automatically, landlords are able to tap into an automated billing system for tenant utilities. Clearer visibility and better understanding of the utilities usage also enable landlords and tenants to collaborate on their sustainability efforts.

Digitalised utilities data: Utilities data is digitalised when smart meters are deployed and connected wirelessly with other smart devices including a central control unit (CCU). Digitalisation enables granular data collection for close monitoring and insightful analyses of a building’s performance.

Dynamic Airflow Balancing (DAB)

DAB is one of the applications within SP Digital’s GET™ Control. DAB is a proactive zone control system that remotely monitors and controls conditions in individual spaces for optimised comfort and efficiency. Predictive machine learning algorithms optimise temperature capacity by redirecting conditioned air to the spaces that need it most, a strategy which is proven to lower utility consumption.

Dynamic Chilled Water Balancing

An end-to-end solution for a building’s chilled water system to maintain comfort while using less chilled water and saving more energy. The system understands, analyses and optimises the overall performance of the ACMV system - delivering energy efficiencies, and optimising water usage.

ESG

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) refers to environmental issues, social issues, corporate governance that impacts sustainability.

Since 2016, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) has made it mandatory for all listed companies to disclose and publish an annual sustainability report.

All listed companies in Singapore will be required to make climate-related disclosures from financial year (FY) 2025, while all large non-listed companies (defined as having annual revenues of at least S$1 billion and total assets of at least S$500 million) will be required to do so from FY2027.

SP Digital extends its support for sustainability in businesses, by providing an ESG Reporting platform. It enables customers to report directly into local & global frameworks to meet compliance and regulatory requirements. Find out more here.

Electrification

Electrification means replacing technologies or processes that use fossil fuels with electrically-powered equivalents, such as electric vehicles (EV).

These replacements are typically more energy-efficient and contribute to lowering carbon emissions.

Among Singapore’s 2030 targets is the electrification of cars and boats.

Only cleaner-energy car models such as electric, hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell cars will be registered, while all new harbour craft operating in Singapore port waters are to be fully electric, capable of using B100 biofuels, or compatible with net zero fuels.

Energy efficiency

Is it possible to use less energy, yet without compromising the operations of a building? Whether it’s lighting for illumination and security, air conditioning for occupant comfort, operating machinery in manufacturing, maintaining optimal conditions in data centres and so on, technology makes energy efficiency possible. Case in point are LED lights, which are more energy efficient and more robust than incandescent light bulbs. Technology also comes into play in smart buildings, where energy saving solutions help manage costs and advance sustainability efforts.

Energy management system

An energy management system (EMS) enables better management of energy usage and performance, through the use of data and insights. Insights into energy consumption patterns enable building owners and facility managers to identify and implement energy saving measures. SP Digital’s GET suite of solutions can be integrated with a building’s existing energy management system to provide a seamless utilities management experience to optimise energy use.

Energy saving solutions

Energy is needed to drive businesses and economic growth. On the other hand, energy consumption has to be minimised, in order to achieve a low-carbon economy. To deliver value to customers and support the sustainability imperative, SP Digital provides a suite of GET™ (Green Energy Tech) solutions for smart utilities management. GET’s energy saving solutions leverage digitalisation and big data analyses to enable positive change at scale.

Fossil Fuels

“Fossil fuels” refers to hydro-carbon material that was formed in the earth’s crust from the remains of plants and animals. After being extracted and processed, fossil fuels may be burned to provide heat directly such as for cooking, to power engines such as in motor vehicles; or to generate electricity. Coal, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels.

Fifteen Minute Cities (FMC) or 15-minute cities

This urban planning concept articulated by urbanist Carlos Moreno proposes that most of daily life can be reached within 15 minutes, whether on foot, on bike or on public transport. It recently gained traction because of climate change and COVID-19. In land-scarce Singapore with its mixed-use developments, park connectors, good public transit system, the 15-minute city is attainable, furthering the aim to be a sustainable nation.

Green Buildings

Green buildings refer to buildings that are eco-friendly and sustainable, that are resource-efficient and environmentally responsible throughout its life-cycle: from planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. Green credentials of a building also take into account the indoor environment quality that supports the well-being and comfort of its occupants.

For existing buildings to become green, a first step and quick win would be through reducing utilities consumption.

In Singapore, green buildings are certified through the Green Mark Scheme, administered by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Green Leases

To meet sustainability targets, companies are looking for green features in their buildings, such as smart systems to deliver energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and the use of sustainable materials.

A Green Lease is an agreement between landlord and tenant which sets out environmental objectives on how the building is to be improved, managed and/or occupied in a sustainable manner.

Building & Construction Authority provides a Green Lease Toolkit as reference.

Green Mark

Green Mark is a green building rating system. Launched in 2005 by BCA, it evaluates a building’s environmental impact and performance. Its comprehensive assessment framework aims to promote sustainable design and best practices in construction and building operations.

A further push came in 2018 with the introduction of Green Mark for Super Low Energy (SLE) and Zero Energy.

Greenwashing

The word is derived from whitewashing which literally is the practice of applying a coat of cheap white paint over all surfaces, to give a uniform look. Metaphorically, whitewashing refers to a deliberate attempt to gloss over unpleasant facts, in order to protect a reputation. Thus, “greenwashing” is the deliberate attempt to make a company seem more green than it really is.

Greenwashing or overclaims of sustainability can have serious consequences. Businesses can be sued by aggrieved consumers for unfair practices or misrepresentation, or be penalised for violating Singapore Exchange (SGX) rules if they are listed on SGX.

The reputational damage and legal tangles can be costly and time consuming.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a chemical element; it is colourless, odourless, non-toxic and highly flammable. Green hydrogen is produced by the electrolysis of water, using renewable electricity. When consumed in a fuel cell, it produces only water, electricity, and heat. For these reasons, hydrogen is gaining traction as a clean energy source. However, transitioning to a low-carbon hydrogen economy would need investments in infrastructure for production, distribution, storage and end-use of hydrogen.

Singapore is exploring feasible options to import cost-competitive low-carbon hydrogen with the aim of hydrogen supplying up to half of Singapore's power needs by 2050.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)

HVAC refers to the technology and systems used to regulate the temperature, humidity, and air quality within indoor spaces. HVAC systems are designed to provide comfortable and safe environments by controlling airflow, heating, and cooling across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Main components of an HVAC system include central air conditioning units (Cooling), furnaces or boilers (Heating), ventilation ducts or fans (Airflow) and large-scale refrigeration (Freezing).

Often used interchangeably with ACMV (Air Conditioning Mechanical Ventilation), HVACs are deployed to deliver occupant comfort and energy efficiencies. Whether HVACs are packaged all-in-one units or split systems which are often connected to a building’s ductwork, they can be integrated with SP Digital’s GET^TM Control powered by 75F.

GET Control is a smart system designed for maximum energy efficiency and optimal comfort. It is built for building owners / facility managers, who need to optimise costs while ensuring a comfortable environment.
With advanced AI-driven controls, the system constantly adjusts based on real-time data — analysing occupancy and weather conditions. This means less energy waste and a significant reduction in your carbon footprint, hence aiding sustainability efforts in the built environment.
Not only that, the system also ensures every room or space in the building maintains the perfect temperature for its occupants within design limits —creating a more productive and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone inside.
Plus, it is fully customisable. Whether you’re managing a commercial office, retail space, or industrial building, our solution adapts to meet your needs, helping you control settings remotely, access usage reports, and get ahead of maintenance issues with predictive diagnostics.

In addition to temperature and humidity adjustments for occupant comfort, GET Control can also ensure the quality of air. Of note is the Integrated Indoor Air Quality Management (IAQ) feature which leverages on AI algorithms to deliver smart ventilation, such as monitoring and countering Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) buildup.

IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

IAQ refers to the air quality in buildings and structures, especially with regards to the health and comfort of building occupants.

The COVID-19 pandemic shone the spotlight on IAQ as a factor in disease transmission through airborne particles and droplets. SP Digital’s GET™ Control provides an Epidemic Mode which helps minimise the risk of viral transmission in air conditioned spaces, through better and smarter ventilation.

To deliver healthier air inside a building, GET Control’s IAQ algorithm takes into consideration the target and threshold values of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) at the zone level, to bring in more air when needed.

Insights

In this information age, insights are key in managing a business. Insights refers to clear understanding of an issue, based on a number of data sets. Insights on the competitive landscape, financing options, consumer sentiments… all contribute to formulating the right strategies and action plans.

At the heart of SP Digital’s suite of solutions is GET™ Insights. Using granular data and leveraging AI and IoT, GET Insights enables landlords and building managers to manage monitor, report, analyse and optimise utilities usage, so as to identify wastage and cost efficiencies to achieve sustainability targets. Learn more.

Integrated Utilities Dashboard

A dashboard shows a comprehensive overview of data from different sources. SP Digital’s GET™ (Green Energy Tech) suite has an Integrated Utilities Dashboard which shows consumption data across the different properties in a customer’s portfolio, down to each tenant’s daily and hourly trends. With the dashboard data, building owners and facility managers can manage, monitor, report, analyse and optimise utilities usage, while identifying wastage and cost efficiencies. Thus supporting the drive for value and sustainability.

IoT

The Internet of things (IoT) describes devices with sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.

SP Digital’s GET™ leverages AI and IoT to monitor a building’s utilities at a granular level, and provide insights on usage patterns and anomalies.

Just in Time (JIT)

In the traditional method of holding large inventory, the risk is of unsaleable products being dead stock and ending up as waste. On the other hand, Just-in-time is a method in which goods are received from suppliers only when they are needed.

It reduces inventory holding costs and chances of wastage, and hence is seen as the more sustainable method.

Knowledge

We’ve heard the saying, “knowledge is power”. Indeed, knowing a problem exists is the first step in solving it. In utilities management, as it is in business and daily life, the earlier a problem is known, the sooner it can be solved.

The traditional method of monitoring utilities usage is based on monthly meter readings. A month is a long time for an anomaly to go undetected, as this could rack up unnecessary costs and be a setback for sustainability efforts. SP Digital’s GET Insights deploys smart meters which provide granular data on utilities usage, enabling identification of wasteful practices and anomalies which might indicate water leaks.

Kinetic energy

Kinetic energy is the energy of a moving object, such as in running water, moving wind, moving vehicles.

For example, a wind turbine turns the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy. Kinetic energy is also in people’s movement, such as dance. In the Music of the Spheres World Tour by Coldplay, the kinetic energy of their dancing fans was harnessed through kinetic floors to help power the show.

Low-Carbon

This describes an energy source or a way of life that produces little carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas (GHG) that is a key contributor to global warming.

The most abundant low-carbon energy source is solar. Singapore’s solar deployment has grown significantly over the years, from 0.4 MWp in 2008 to around 1 GWp as of the second quarter of 2023.

Low-carbon energy sources also include hydrogen, geothermal and nuclear. However, challenges such as safety and costs will need to be addressed before these greener alternatives can be harnessed.

Microclimate Control

A microclimate is a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas.

Microclimate control refers to the management of specific atmospheric conditions for an office space, to provide a comfortable indoor environment while managing resource usage and carbon emissions.

SP Digital’s GET™ Control is a self-learning building intelligence system that utilises AI and IoT to provide microclimate control. Based on changes in occupancy and ambient weather conditions, the system’s predictive intelligence ensures energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

This innovative microclimate control system can connect to any BMS (Building Management System) without major retrofitting, aiding the move towards green buildings.

Mobility

In our daily lives, we need to travel from place to place for work and for play. In Singapore these days, 64% of local travel is on mass public transport, with the aim of the SG Green Plan to increase it to 75% by 2030.

Already, walking, cycling and active mobility is encouraged, with plans to expand the cycling network by more than double by 2030.

For private vehicles, the move is to switch over to electrification: phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2040, and requiring all newly-registered cars to be cleaner-energy models by 2030.

To support the growth of EVs, the number of EV charging points will grow to 60,000 by 2030.

Read more about Singapore’s vision for mobility.

Through the GET™ Mobility solution, SP Digital enables Charge Point Operators to manage the charge points seamlessly, with convenience and efficiency. Much of the daily operations can be monitored offsite. With smart charging, advanced algorithms in capacity management and distribution help to minimise energy costs.

Net zero

Net zero refers to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) being emitted equalling the amount of these gases being removed.

Achieving net zero requires shifting from fossil fuel energy to sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind.

GHG emissions can be offset by buying carbon credits, which involves investing in projects that reduce, avoid, or remove emissions elsewhere.

Outside Air Optimisation

The Outside Air Optimisation (OAO) application combines hardware, software and real-time weather data to provide advanced sequences of operation in a wide range of commercial buildings. It controls components including CO₂, temperature, humidity and pressure, adjusting levels to reflect the set thresholds which maximise efficiency, occupant comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ).

OCPI and OCPP

SP Digital’s GET™ Mobility is the smart EV charging management system enabling Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to onboard and configure EV charging stations, set up tariff rates, keep track of transactions, and perform monitoring and troubleshooting activities.

EV Charging is integrated with the Driver App via Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) 2.2 and CPOs can onboard a wide range of EV charge points with OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol 1.6 compliant). Thus GET Mobility helps accelerate EV adoption in Singapore, by supporting CPOs’ business with convenience, flexibility and energy efficiency.

Photovoltaic panels

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used to produce electricity directly from sunlight. Solar panels convert solar radiation into heat. We often refer to both types of panels as “solar panels” as they absorb the sun’s rays.

Quantifiable

If we want to manage, we have to measure. With quantifiable metrics, we can have an objective target to aim for; we can compare before and after numbers and know how much of a gap there is to close; we can assign a cost and calculate the financial implications. Having quantifiable metrics takes the guesswork out of an issue, and allocates resources with accuracy and efficiency. The foundation of SP Digital is data, which quantifies and enables monitoring, analysis and reporting of utilities, to optimise energy efficiency, enhance occupant experience, and advance sustainability efforts.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy from natural sources that replenish faster than they are consumed. Some examples are sunlight and wind. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are non-renewable resources. They take hundreds of millions of years to form and when burned to produce energy, they emit harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.

Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Hence the focus on transitioning to renewable energy as a way to address the climate crisis.

Renewables are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels.

Retrofit of buildings

To transition from a conventional building into a green building, SP Digital’s GET™ (Green Energy Tech) suite of solutions requires minimal retrofitting.

In GET™ Control, the range of loT equipment such as smart sensors, smart meters and dampers communicates through RF (radio frequency) mesh, unlike traditional VAV (Variable Air Volume) set-ups. Installing the new system does not need any major teardown or disruption of business operations.

Smart

The term “smart” in the context of buildings and utilities management refers to devices or systems that are automated to collect data, ‘listen and learn’ and perform decisions in a predictive or adaptive manner.

Smart buildings A smart building is enabled by IoT and AI to adjust its systems such as lighting, ventilation and air conditioning automatically, with little or no manual intervention, to provide optimal comfort to occupants, while optimising energy efficiency.

SP Digital’s GET™ (Green Energy Tech) suite of solutions turns conventional buildings into smart buildings with minimal retrofitting required. While conventional building structures often feature legacy electrical and mechanical systems, GET is able to integrate different building systems and diverse data sources to create a seamless, sustainable utilities management experience.

GET™ Control is a self-learning building intelligence system that utilises AI and IoT to optimise air-conditioning and energy efficiency, based on changes in occupancy and ambient weather conditions. The smart solution’s cloud-based AI enhances autonomous control capabilities by continuously commissioning and learning from the building’s energy usage patterns.

Smart energy solutions With digitalisation and the use of Artificial Intelligence, energy can be managed more accurately and effectively. GET™ Insights can monitor and provide visibility on the photovoltaic system (PV system), Energy Storage System (ESS) and load patterns, to manage energy usage.This smart energy solution also leverages AI to forecast load and automatically schedule ESS charge and discharge, to reduce peak consumption from the grid, and save on Uncontracted Capacity Charges (UCC).

Smart meters Smart meters measure and record utilities usage digitally, and relay the readings to the utility company and end-user.

There is no need for manual meter reading which is time-consuming and prone to human error. With smart meters, the data is accurate and granular, providing insights into utilities consumption.

SP Digital’s smart meters enable utilities consumption to be measured at half-hourly intervals. Data can be accessed remotely, 24/7, for convenience and timely action.

Super Low Energy (SLE) Buildings

Nope, SLE is not referring to the Seletar Expressway in this context, but a category of buildings.

An SLE Building (SLEB) is a best-in-class Green Mark Building that achieves at least 60% energy savings above 2005 building codes (the anchor reference for Green Mark energy savings).

It is part of the BCA Green Mark SLE programme, designed to accelerate sustainability in buildings.

Tenant Management

Managing a property consists of maintaining the building, as well as managing the occupants. In addition to daily maintenance such as fixing leaks or fixtures, scheduling safety inspections, lift servicing, fire drills and so on, the tenant management team must stay on top of compliance issues. General administration includes logging and maintaining contracts and agreements with tenants, collecting rent, supervising tenant move-in and move-out, and managing tenants’ utilities billing.

SP Digital’s GET™ TenantCare extends a landlord’s professionalism into the tenant billing process. Its automated and digitalised meter reading and utilities billing ensure a smooth and streamlined billing process. Tenant move-in and move-out are handled with ease, resulting in higher tenant satisfaction. At the same time, the solution prevents unnecessary revenue losses due to manual readings and inaccurate billings. With insights on utilities consumption, both landlord and tenants can collaborate on ways to advance sustainability efforts.

Tenant Submetering

In a multi-tenant property, a conventional method for calculating tenant utilities usage is to base it on typical use per square footage and include it as part of the rent.

Tenant submetering is a system designed to measure individual utility usage with precise measurement of each tenant’s consumption of electricity, water, gas, or other utilities. Each tenant is billed solely on the actual utility consumption.

SP Digital’s GET™ TenantCare is a smart and automated tenant submetering solution backed by SP Digital’s robust advanced metering infrastructure. It is designed to help landlords and property owners efficiently manage tenant utilities consumption. Tenants also have a more accurate view of their utilities usage.

Thermal Comfort

Thermal comfort as defined by American National Standards Institute / American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55) is "that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment and is assessed by subjective evaluation."

Thermal comfort preferences are highly individual, and can be affected by metabolism, body type and clothing. These factors make it hard to find a temperature that will satisfy all occupants in the same space at the same time.

SP Digital’s GET™ Control divides a large office space into micro zones, allowing occupants to adjust the temperature in their immediate surroundings, to achieve better thermal comfort. Central Control Units (CCU) work with smart dampers, smart nodes and sensors to monitor, manage and control the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation (ACMV) system to deliver optimal thermal comfort.

UNSDG (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. Singapore’s Green Plan reinforces the country’s commitment to sustainable development including SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action).

Utilities

Building operations account for 70% of a building’s carbon emissions. 60% is on cooling, with the rest on lights, lifts, security system and plug load - when building occupants plug in to charge their mobile devices at their work station or at the cafe downstairs.

Value Chain Emissions

Carbon emissions are prevalent throughout the value chain: from the design and construction of buildings to its operations. Greening the entire value chain is a holistic approach to sustainability.

Wastage

Sustainability is also about preventing wastage of resources. Wasted energy is when energy is produced but not used, or used inefficiently. It adds to carbon emissions needlessly. Some of the most common waste includes standby consumption which is when the equipment or appliance is not in use, but continues to consume energy.

SP Digital’s GET™ (Green Energy Tech) suite is designed to deliver efficiencies in energy and water in industrial and commercial spaces. Monitoring of granular data enables accurate and timely insights, with alerts on possible anomalies presenting opportunities to curb wastage.

WELL

WELL is a certification for healthy buildings, with a holistic approach to occupant well-being. Criteria ranges from indoor air quality, drinking water quality, light, thermal comfort, acoustics… to availability of fruits and vegetables as an indicator of nourishment.

X

X is the symbol of collaboration. In brand endorsements for instance, collaboration of Brand X Celebrity could mean involving the celebrity in different aspects of design and development, to create something new and unique. In the whole-of-nation sustainability effort, collaboration is key. One promising area is Green X Technology which leverages on innovations and technological advancements to solve our sustainability challenges. SP Digital’s Green Energy Tech (GET™) brings together data, AI, and IoT in a suite of solutions that empowers building owners and managers to optimise energy efficiency, enhance occupant experience, and advance sustainability efforts.

YES

An empathetic positive to finding solutions - and a special shout-out to youths as they take on the next lap in the journey to sustainability.

Singapore’s National Environment Agency launched the Youth for Environmental Sustainability (YES) Programme in July 2021 to engage youths and develop their environmental leadership capabilities. The initiative is in partnership with key community stakeholders and encourages active green citizenry, supporting the Singapore Green Plan 2030’s Sustainable Living pillar.

Zero waste

In a circular economy, resources are not lost as waste, as “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a norm. As Singapore has closed the water loop by recycling water to make NEWater, a similar push is being applied to waste materials. The building and construction industry has a nearly-100% recycling rate for Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste, ferrous and nonferrous metals.

The high recycling rate is due to the Demolition Protocol implemented by BCA which separates the reusable and non-reusable parts, and enables recycling and reuse. Arising from this practice is the development of several new materials, like recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), which is made up of more than 70% demolition waste.

Zero Energy Building (ZEB)

When a building consumes as much energy as it produces, it is a Zero Energy Building. This is possible through systematically incorporating innovative energy efficient and renewable technologies to different aspects of a building: from its facade to cooling and ventilation, to smart controls. ZEB is a classification in BCA’s Green Mark for Super Low Energy (SLE) buildings.

More about ZEB: here.

Word power: a glossary of sustainability in the built environment