Smart buildings ‘running blind’ due to poor data connection, study finds

17 June 2025

Some of the most advanced energy management technologies are falling short because many buildings do not share data between their different systems, new research has found. The data, published in Energy Reports, reveals that buildings account for nearly 30% of global energy consumption – yet much of their potential for greater efficiency is locked away by disconnected and outdated technologies.

Energy efficiency experts in commercial buildings note that without proper audits and integration, even advanced technologies can’t deliver reliable performance. Most systems simply aren’t built to work together, and as a result, efficiency remains more of a theory than a reality.

Instead of just focusing on better technology, the research proposes a smarter structure. It introduces a six-layer reference model for Intelligent Building Management Systems (IBMS) – a framework that spans everything from sensors and meters to AI-powered decision-making.

The concept proposed by researchers suggests that a building’s lighting, HVAC, occupancy, and other systems must share real-time data across layers to best optimise performance.

The study claims that the biggest roadblock isn’t missing hardware – it’s missing integration. Traditional setups often rely on fixed schedules and siloed platforms. This means that key areas like HVAC and lighting, which together account for over 50% of energy use in commercial buildings, continue to operate inefficiently, regardless of how advanced the equipment may be.

Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, a company developing AI-based platforms for energy optimisation, stresses the significance of this approach. “The components for greater energy efficiency are already there; we just need to enable them to work together,” he says.

This view resonates with growing industry opinion that it’s not new technology that’s needed — it’s greater integration. According to Exergio, a well-coordinated platform can cut a commercial shopping mall’s energy use by nearly 29% and its heating demand by 36% without needing extensive retrofitting.

“Everyone wants smarter buildings – but too often, we start by chasing the newest tech instead of fixing the foundations. The future of energy efficiency won’t be defined by hardware – it will be defined by how well we integrate, align, and unlock the systems we already have,” concludes Karčiauskas.