Schneider Electric and Autodesk Collaborate to Enhance Current Practices for Building Lifecycle Management

Schneider Electric and Autodesk Inc. announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding. According to this agreement, Schneider Electric and Autodesk plan to collaborate to enhance current practices for building lifecycle management based on Building Information Modeling (BIM).

As part of the collaboration, the two companies are exploring ways to complement each other's strengths to make buildings more energy efficient from the design and construction through operation and end-of-life phases. The collaboration may include new solutions and services in the areas of energy management, building automation and control, and workspace management.

The joint efforts look to combine Schneider Electric's expertise in electrical distribution, energy and building management solutions with Autodesk's portfolio of BIM-based design and construction software, such as Autodesk Revit and Autodesk BIM 360.

Today, buildings consume about 40 percent of global energy, 25 percent of global water, 40 percent of global resources and they emit approximately one-third of GHG emissions (1). Residential and commercial buildings consume approximately 60 percent of the world's electricity. Yet, buildings also offer the greatest potential for achieving significant GHG emission reductions. The shift toward digital BIM processes is part of the solution to more energy efficient homes and buildings by delivering greater agility and long-term sustainability.

BIM is a process that begins with the creation of an intelligent 3D model to capture, explore, and maintain building data associated with planning, design, construction, and operations. The information in the model remains coordinated and consistent throughout the project and supports simulation, analysis, and collaboration for better decision-making.

1. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). http://www.unep.org/sbci/AboutSBCI/Background.asp

Keywords: Building Lifecycle Management, Energy Management, Building Automation, Workspace Management, Electrical Distribution, ARC Advisory Group.