Author: Peggy Smedley
When we kicked off the month of May, I talked about the rise of smart meters and how with that rise comes an increase in data, creating new considerations for everyone in the ecosystem. This week let’s turn our attention to power plants and data centers to continue our conversation on energy. As we know, there is a diverse mix of regulated power plants today—everything including hydro, coal, nuclear, natural gas, solar, and battery storage, just to name a few. In fact, the three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear…
Sustainability and green building have long offered the promise to be more sustainable for the environment and for the homeowner in the long run. However, there is one big hurdle that has often stood in the way: cost. Is this beginning to change? The NAHB (National Assn. of Home Builders) 2020 Green Single Family and Multifamily Homes SmartMarket Brief, released before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, found most single-family builders (86%), single-family remodelers (72%), and multifamily builders/remodelers (74%) agree building green costs more than building a traditional home, with the majority reporting a 5-10% premium. So, then the questions…
Let’s talk integrated homes. Naturally this is changing how we live in our homes—but it is also impacting the wide world of how we manufacture and source all these connected products. CEDIA recently released a study that examines the integrated home market by revenue and number of companies, areas of expertise, preferred brands by category, and typical project size. In the Fall and Winter of 2021-2022, it surveyed U.S. and U.K. markets. This unique point-of-view provided by integrators can help manufacturers in navigating who they work with, how to work most effectively with current and prospective dealers, and what to…
Smart meters are on the rise. With that growth comes an increase in data, creating new considerations for technology companies, utilities, and customers. I can’t help but wonder where we are with energy today and where we are headed in the future. Here’s the numbers. Allied Market Research suggests the global smart-meter market size was valued at $21.79 billion in 2020 and should soar to $54.34 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of more than 10.10% from 2021 to 2030, due to a number of factors in the market. Guidehouse Insights concurs, pointing to the U.S., China, and Western…
Global research shows nearly two-thirds of organizations have seen a rise in cyberattacks and about half have experienced a breach. What can be done? I have some thoughts. The numbers are very interesting when you look at the state of cybersecurity today and some of the possible solutions. Splunk’s State of Security 2022, surveyed more than 1,200 security leaders. According to the report, 79% have encountered a ransomware attack and 35% admit that one or more of those attacks led them to lose access to data and systems. So, what then can be done? I recently sat in on an…
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Have you decided what you are going to get for your mom, grandma, aunt, or sister? Consider giving that special loved one in your life a connected gift for the home or health this Mother’s Day. I had all the intention of writing a complete list, but to be very candid—after wearing and testing this health watch that Withings sent me—which has been surprisingly, very enjoyable—I wanted to share my views with you. At the end of this blog, we have put together some unique ideas for connected Mother’s Day gifts for 2022…
The COVID-19 pandemic shook up the workplace in more ways than one. Perhaps most notable is the rise of the Great Resignation—although candidly I think this would have happened with or without the pandemic. The good news is there is growing consensus about what needs to be done to address this. Last September, McKinsey reported more than 19 million U.S. workers had quit their job since April 2021, and that companies are struggling to address the problem. At the time, it suggested that many companies don’t really understand why their employees are leaving in the first place. Much work has…
Ensuring delivery is on time for construction projects can be a difficult promise. Project planning and technology solutions can certainly help, and this is where VDC (virtual design and construction) enters the equation. While VDC certainly isn’t a new concept, have we made any strides with leveraging it in the past two decades? What are we still doing wrong? Why didn’t it work on your last project? Let’s explore in more detail now. While seeds of this idea date back to the 1970s, it really began to take root in 2002, when Dr. Martin Fischer and Dr. John Kunz of…
With temperatures and energy bills rising, lowering energy costs just might be the ticket to seeing green—in your pocket when it comes to saving money on your next utility bill—all while providing some energy-efficient benefits to you and the environment. As we all know, in 2021, Americans paid 25.1% and 6.5% more for gas utilities and electricity, according to data from the U.S. BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The good news is even small changes can make a big difference. Consider these three ways to save some “green” with your appliances this year. Wait to Wash Your Clothes If you…
With Earth Day, just a few days away, on April 22, let’s explore how different vertical markets can make a lasting impact on Earth Day and every day, specifically as it relates to ESG (environmental, social, and governance), which is becoming more critical for businesses every day. History of Earth Day First, if you have been following along with us all week, then you know we are doing a little Earth Day quiz. If you know me, then you know I love a good history lesson. So, let’s answer a few key questions about Earth Day before we look at…