Techem Trend Study: Sustainability and digitalization as key levers for the energy transition in the building sector

Eschborn, March 5, 2024:  Techem, one of the world’s leading service providers for smart and sustainable buildings, published the first edition of its Trend Study on the real estate and housing industry. The study examines the dynamic developments in the real estate industry and highlights the crucial role of sustainability and digitalization in the implementation of the energy transition. The trends of urbanization and mobility are also placed in relation to the real estate industry. 

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The key findings of the trend radar are:

1. Sustainability and ecological construction are playing an increasingly important role in the real estate and housing industry. Regulatory requirements and financial incentives are promoting the use of renewable energies and sustainable building materials. The trend towards energy self-sufficient operation of buildings will also grow in importance due to rising energy costs and ambitious climate targets. Financing problems and cost-benefit considerations stand in the way of wider implementation.
2. The real estate industry is in the midst of a digital transformation process. Digital platforms are gaining influence and offer opportunities for innovative solutions and services. A key trend here is building digitization. It is seen as an important lever for analyzing energy consumption in buildings and leveraging previously untapped savings potential in a minimally invasive way. Compatibility problems with existing systems and high initial investments pose challenges.
3. Urbanization will have a major impact on the real estate industry in the long term. The demand for affordable living space in cities continues to rise. The housing industry is already responding in some cases with micro-living forms. Densification and redevelopment will therefore become more of a focus in the years to come. 
4. The topic of mobility, examined here in the form of e-mobility and car sharing, is relevant for the real estate and housing industry - even if other topics currently enjoy a comparatively higher priority. However, the expansion of the charging infrastructure and the increasing importance of climate protection could reinforce the trend towards e-mobility. Car sharing will also become more important in the future in view of sustainability aspects and a general change in attitudes towards ownership. The provision of parking space for car-sharing vehicles could generate income for real estate companies, although high costs and limited space are obstacles.

Matthias Hartmann, CEO of Techem, underscores the key role of the real estate and housing industry in climate protection: “The real estate industry is aware of its responsibility to make a significant contribution to tackling global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. Our Trend Study shows the importance of sustainable and digital solutions to decarbonize the building sector and contribute to improving the environment and quality of life. In view of rising energy prices and ambitious climate targets, our industry is more than ever called upon to rethink and retrofit buildings.”

About the study

This study on the housing and real estate industry was conducted between May 2022 and April 2023 and covered several phases. Key industry trends were identified and qualitative expert interviews were conducted with 28 representatives of the real estate and housing industry. Subsequent expert interviews were used to validate the trends identified with Techem employees. Finally, a quantitative survey of real estate experts was conducted. The result is a trend radar that relates the 12 trends to the megatrends of sustainability, digitalization, urbanization and mobility and illustrates the strength of the trends’ influence on the industry.

Further information on the Trend Study and the full report can be found on the Techem website.

About Techem 

Techem is a leading service provider for smart and sustainable buildings. The company's services cover energy management and resource conservation, residential health and process efficiency in real estate. Founded in 1952, the company is now active in 18 countries with around 4,300 employees and services more than 13 million homes. Techem offers efficiency improvements along the entire value chain of heat and water in real estate. As the market leader in remote radio detection of energy consumption in homes, Techem continues to drive networking and digital processes in real estate. Modern radio smoke detectors with remote inspection and services related to improving drinking water quality in properties complement the solution portfolio for the housing industry. For more information, visit www.techem.com/corp/en.