In 2024, global energy demand soared to double the annual growth rate of the previous ten years. At 2.2% higher than the previous year, the rise is being linked to a global surge in electricity consumption. The International Energy Agency (IEA) also estimates that managing and operating buildings accounts for as much as 30% of global energy consumption, making them a major opportunity for targeted improvements. Rather than simply reducing usage, the focus is shifting toward energy management; optimizing when and how buildings consume electricity. With a global labor shortage affecting facility operations, Honeywell offers a solution through connected, autonomous building systems- powered by strategic collaboration with NXP.
Energy improvements across the board.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that we spend 90% of our time indoors , meaning the energy demands of buildings are constant – day and night. Working, playing, sleeping, living our lives in the buildings that keep us safe, sheltered and comfortable. Honeywell addresses this challenge by equipping buildings with intelligent Building Management Systems (BMS) that dynamically respond to occupancy, usage patterns, and energy costs in real time. This approach helps owners manage energy more efficiently without compromising comfort or functionality. Through the combination of automation, advanced analytics, and machine learning, Honeywell's systems optimize building performance around the clock- balancing sustainability with modern operational needs.
Shrinking the phantom menace.
Think of an office building, late at night, filled with row upon row of desks with monitors and equipment, quietly waiting for the next day’s work. Nothing to see but a sea of tiny red lights, leaking energy from standby mode, or what the experts call ‘phantom power’. Estimated to swallow up to 20% of a building’s energy use, this is also being addressed by Honeywell BMS solutions.
Real-time dynamic adjustments enhance building usage.
How does this all work? It’s already far beyond simple energy meters and automatic HVAC systems. The technology behind one of Honeywell’s latest systems, the Optimizer Suite , is NXP’s i.MX RT106x crossover MCU and i.MX 8M Plus applications processor. It is known for its scalability and security, supporting the system’s energy-efficiency and AI/ML hardware acceleration. The Optimizer Suite can link to advanced sensors measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as smoke, cooking odors, bio-effluence and pollutants. Humidity and CO2, air quality, occupancy, lighting, security, wireless access points, everything can be connected and measured. Even external systems can be linked, bringing in weather forecasting, electricity costs depending on time of day—all variables that can be brought into the system to help calculate optimal energy usage. Thus, dynamic adjustments in heating, cooling and power management can be made in real time, with minimal human interaction.
Building better ‘Building Brains’.
The collaboration between Honeywell and NXP is already helping make buildings operate more intelligently and autonomously. With NXP’s neural network-enabled, industrial-grade applications processors, the Optimizer Suite is a flexible ‘building brain,’ a future-proofed building control and automation platform. And this new technology isn’t the exclusive preserve of newbuilds, since Honeywell recognizes the power of retrofitting their solutions into existing buildings. Legacy control systems can be replaced or enhanced, sensors can be added to building interiors to monitor energy use and occupancy, air quality and temperature. All of which can be achieved while the building remains in use.
Toward autonomy.
As the world nears the reality of autonomous buildings, we can look forward to a self-regulating ecosystem where buildings themselves can do more than their occupants alone can achieve. Real-time optimization of energy use and air quality, temperature and climate, all continually monitored with reliable precision. Reduced energy use, no waste, lower bills, and an all-over enjoyable experience in that place we spend 90% of our lives: indoors.
