(Boursier.com) – DWS announces the launch of an active energy management program for real estate, with the deployment of intelligent energy optimization solutions planned on the majority of commercial real estate assets held by its funds worldwide.
Initially deployed in 42 real estate assets in 11 countries, mainly European, these energy optimization solutions will use data, sensors, artificial intelligence and engineering knowledge for better operational efficiency and functional configuration of a building. The solution also includes training systems and personnel intervention to better respond to constantly changing variables, such as occupancy levels, as well as to quickly identify and rectify equipment failures.
These solutions aim to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve energy and cost savings across all assets. This will contribute to DWS’s previously announced target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 for its entire portfolio of European office buildings.
Examples of savings achieved through this initiative include aligning equipment operation with tenant opening hours, ensuring heating and cooling systems do not work in tandem, and ensuring vacant areas are properly closed and sealed to avoid wasted energy.
Benita Schneider, Head of Real Estate Asset Management for Europe at DWS, commented: “These solutions will provide us with valuable data on how our buildings operate and how we can avoid waste, as well as tools to maximize operational efficiency. This initiative will help achieve our current sustainability goals, including our commitment to ‘Net Zero’ asset management, in order to become climate neutral in our practices. “
This program follows on from a clean air initiative in which DWS committed to installing plasma air purification technology in some 750 elevators in its European real estate portfolio. The goal is to improve the health and well-being of its tenants, especially in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
As a fiduciary partner, DWS is committed to providing ESG expertise to enable its clients to invest responsibly and contribute to a sustainable future. DWS was among the first signatories of the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2008 and was the first German asset manager to join the Net Zero Asset Manager initiative in December 2020.
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