Decarbonization. Energy efficiency. Sustainability. Technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI).
All terms that have become part of the lexicon associated with the real estate and construction sectors. In an interview with idealista/news, Rui Ferreira, head of the Electrification business area at ABB (a multinational headquartered in Switzerland) in Portugal, says he has no doubt that “there is still a long way to go when it comes to the decarbonization of the real estate sector,” since the construction industry and the use of buildings are responsible for a significant portion of CO₂ emissions.

Not everything is being done wrong at the national level, the expert attests, although he believes it is possible to go further. “It’s important to keep in mind that consumption can only be reduced if we measure it and know how much we’re spending. To do that, we can install sensors with software that allow us to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings,” he suggests.

Among the various topics addressed in the interview is the need and importance of promoting the automation and digitalization of homes, which “begins with the creation of a ‘digital twin’ of the dwelling, involving the installation of temperature, lighting, motion, and consumption monitoring sensors.” According to Rui Ferreira, this “foundation makes it possible to integrate renewable energies, such as solar panels, with battery storage systems that can be managed intelligently, just like all other resources.”

Autonomous and digital homes

Tell us a bit about ABB’s history in Portugal. What exactly does the company do, and how does its activity impact the real estate sector, particularly the residential segment?

ABB is a global company present in 100 countries and has been in Portugal since the 1950s, directly representing three of its four business areas: Motion, Electrification, and Robotics & Discrete Automation.

The company provides equipment and software that improve electrical performance, energy efficiency, and automation in commercial and residential buildings. In the residential segment, ABB contributes to sustainability, safety, and modernization of buildings through its energy management, building automation, and electric mobility infrastructure solutions. These solutions have a direct impact on property value and the residents’ quality of life.

“ABB is a global technology leader that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive and sustainable future,” reads the company’s website. What does this mean in practice?

In practice, ABB’s commitment is to help customers overcome their challenges. To this end, we offer energy efficiency and e-mobility solutions that enable the development of smart cities.
ABB manufactures chargers for electric vehicles, which are used both in private homes and in complex charging infrastructures. The company also develops technologies that optimize energy use, improve safety, and facilitate the integration of renewable sources.

Sustainability and energy efficiency are trending topics. Is there still a way to go in the real estate sector toward decarbonization? What can be done?

Indeed, there is still a long way to go in terms of decarbonizing the real estate sector. The construction industry and the use of buildings are responsible for a significant share of CO₂ emissions.

“There is still a long way to go when it comes to the decarbonization of the real estate sector. The construction industry and the use of buildings are responsible for a significant portion of CO₂ emissions.”

Currently, there are already significant advances and measures in place, such as mandatory energy certification and urban rehabilitation programs that promote energy efficiency. However, I believe we can be more ambitious and encourage the use of integrated solutions that combine solar panels with batteries and electric chargers.

Moreover, it’s important to remember that consumption can only be reduced if we measure it and know how much we’re spending. For that, we can install sensors with software that allow us to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings.

How can home automation and digitalization contribute to reducing energy consumption and optimizing resources?

Home automation and digitalization begin with the creation of a “digital twin” of the home, which involves installing sensors for temperature, lighting, motion, and consumption monitoring. This foundation allows the integration of renewable energies, such as solar panels with storage battery systems, which can be managed intelligently, just like all other resources.

For example, ABB’s free@home solutions allow intelligent management and optimization of resources, achieving up to 30% improvements in efficiency. Moreover, photovoltaic production combined with a battery storage system can reach up to 70% self-consumption of solar energy through smart management.

What features can and/or should a “modern” home have to make it safer and more comfortable, particularly in terms of lighting and climate systems?

A “modern” home should integrate technology that enhances safety, comfort, and energy efficiency. Smart lighting is essential, allowing the intensity and use of lighting to adjust according to natural light and the home’s activity. As for climate systems, they should allow temperature regulation according to outdoor conditions and residents’ habits.

“A ‘modern’ home should integrate technology that increases safety, comfort, and energy efficiency. (...) Modern, sustainable, and autonomous homes are already being built in Portugal. However, we would like the percentage of these homes to be much higher than it currently is.”

Security is reinforced through integrated alarm systems, allowing homeowners to interact with their homes and access information from anywhere. The goal of these systems is for the house to consume only the energy it needs while remaining constantly connected.

Are these “modern,” sustainable, and “autonomous” homes already being built in Portugal? What distinguishes them from so-called “traditional” houses?

Yes, modern, sustainable, and autonomous homes are already being built in Portugal. However, we would like the percentage of such homes to be much higher than it currently is. In addition to significantly reducing the carbon footprint, these homes provide, in the medium term, economic savings and comfort levels that traditional housing simply cannot offer.

Are there differences between residential automation and automation for non-residential buildings, such as offices?

Automation in non-residential buildings, such as offices, tends to be more complex and larger in scale. This is because it involves the integrated management of various systems (lighting, climate control, security, access control, and technical equipment) that serve a large number of users with different needs throughout the day. Therefore, control systems must be more robust, with the capacity to manage multiple environments.

Residential automation, on the other hand, is simpler and focuses on optimizing the home’s individual energy consumption, integrating solutions such as solar self-production, energy storage batteries, and electric vehicle chargers.

I assume all this comes at a cost to the consumer. How much does it cost to have a sustainable, autonomous, and digital home, and how can these costs be made more accessible to the general public?

Investing in a sustainable, autonomous, and digital home involves an initial cost that can be significant for many consumers. Full automation of a three-bedroom apartment, for example, can represent an investment between €3,000 and €4,000. Installing solar panels and storage batteries can raise the cost to between €15,000 and €20,000.

“The full automation of a three-bedroom apartment, for example, can represent an investment between €3,000 and €4,000. Installing solar panels and storage batteries can raise the cost to between €15,000 and €20,000.”

However, these amounts should be considered a medium-term investment, taking into account the benefits such as a reduced monthly energy bill, increased comfort, safety, and property value. To make these costs more accessible, there are several options to consider, such as public incentives and subsidies, specific financing for energy efficiency, or phased implementation plans that allow the investment to be distributed over time.

Is it correct to say that these solutions, which enable more energy-efficient homes, also contribute to the development of smarter and more sustainable cities?

Absolutely. Smart cities are made up of smart and sustainable infrastructures and buildings. The interconnection of a network of intelligent buildings facilitates local energy production and management using renewable sources. The larger the local system — that is, the city — the easier it is to produce, consume, and manage energy intelligently, reducing waste and creating microgrids where neighbors consume the energy produced by other neighbors’ solar panels, thus reducing network losses since energy transport is almost eliminated.

Do you believe that technology and AI are also transforming the domestic environment and contributing to a more sustainable society? Why?

ABB is focused on developing AI solutions applied to the domestic environment. In a “modern” home equipped with sensors, AI algorithms can “learn” residents’ habits and act intelligently to optimize energy consumption. For example, during the day, when the house is empty, AI can automatically lower the temperature, turn off the lights, and start charging the electric car using energy generated by solar panels, taking into account the natural light available.

“In a ‘modern’ home equipped with sensors, AI algorithms can ‘learn’ residents’ habits and act intelligently to optimize energy consumption.”

These actions not only increase comfort and convenience but also reduce energy waste.

Smart houses