IES
Leading the Charge towards Zero-Carbon Buildings

Did you know 40 percent of global carbon emissions stem from man-made infrastructure? This significant statistic highlights the crucial role buildings and urban areas play in the broader context of climate change, as their energy consumption and emissions greatly contribute to the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Efforts are now intensifying to achieve net-zero goals, and IES is at the forefront of this mission. A global climate technology company specialising in sustainable design and management, IES is focused on minimising the environmental impact of construction to create healthier, more resilient urban environments.

“Celebrating 30 years of innovation and dedication, IES has transformed the energy efficiency of more than a million buildings globally. As climate change remains the most pressing issue of our generation, our technology continues to drive the mission of creating energy-efficient, comfortable and low carbon buildings,” says Don McLean, founder and managing director.

With a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of buildings and cities, IES develops state-of-the-art software tools that simulate and analyse data of the surroundings. This gives architects and engineers the information needed to make smarter and more sustainable decisions during development.

Central to IES’s innovation is the use of performance digital twin technology.

This technology combines physics-based simulation, real-time data, machine learning and AI to create a scalable dynamic virtual replica from a single building to a city. By simulating various scenarios and studying the data gathered, digital twins empower stakeholders to identify and implement strategies that reduce carbon footprints and improve energy efficiency.

Using digital twin technology, IES offers the virtual environment (VE), a comprehensive toolkit designed to enhance building performance through precise modelling. The VE platform, powered by the world-leading APplication for Air Conditioning and Heating Engineers (APACHE) simulation engine, enables design experts worldwide to gain accurate whole-building performance insights. Through these precise insights, the VE platform encourages seamless collaboration among people involved in building design, retrofit and operation, guiding projects smoothly from the initial concept to operation. Integrating energy and performance analysis into every stage of the design process ensures buildings achieve optimal performance across their entire lifespan.

The real-world impact of IES technology can be seen in its collaboration with Dublin City Council on a groundbreaking project to optimise the renovation of social housing. The company created a digital twin of residential blocks on Lower Dominick Street and evaluated renovation strategies over multiple timeframes aligned with national climate targets for 2050 and beyond. Using its advanced digital twin technology, IES simulated the carbon impact and efficiency of shallow, medium, deep retrofitting and demolition with rebuild strategies. These strategies aimed to significantly reduce embodied and operational carbon emissions throughout the buildings’ lifecycle. Further, through dynamic simulations using VE software, it was identified that deep retrofitting achieved the highest reduction in operational emissions. This plan, involving a comprehensive package of energy efficiency measures, was selected as the optimal approach for minimising the building’s whole-life carbon footprint.

The success of this initiative paved the way for similar assessments across Dublin, which will support informed decision-making in future renovation projects.

IES consulting service complements its software solutions. The company offers expert guidance and strategic advice to ensure sustainable building practices are effectively implemented and optimised. Carrying over 30 years of experience and a proven track record on high-profile projects worldwide, IES consulting leverages a robust analysis engine and in-depth environmental performance metrics to enhance sustainability. From design analysis to compliance support and from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to decarbonisation strategies, the company’s consulting provides comprehensive solutions to achieve peak building performance and environmental stewardship.

With the world accelerating toward decarbonisation goals, IES leads the charge in driving the transition to zero-carbon buildings. Its all-inclusive software solutions, coupled with expert guidance, continue to pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future in the built environment.