Embedding sustainability through operational excellence

No one organization or group can alone address the challenges of climate change. Making a real difference in the sustainability of our infrastructure requires diverse collaboration. I recently represented Xylem and Bell & Gossett at ASHRAE’s 2023 Decarbonization Conference for the Built Environment, a three-day gathering that brought together designers, manufacturers, engineers, scholars and owners to discuss how we can collectively reduce building carbon emissions.

Attendees represented diverse organizations across the country – the American Institute of Architects, Building Owners and Managers Association, Facility Engineering Associates and the General Services Administration, to name a few – each with a different approach to sustainability. Some pursue green initiatives on the federal level, others through membership associations, education and networking on the local chapter level and some through investment in evolving product portfolios and new technology. 

What they all have in common, though, is a recognition of the importance of driving operational excellence to achieve change in the built environment.  

Why is operational excellence important? To Xylem, it means working systematically to continuously improve Bell & Gossett’s solutions; ensuring that over the course of their entire lifecycle, they deliver the maximum possible benefit for the environment (i.e. handprint) while minimizing their negative environmental impact (i.e. footprint). This requires standard, robust approaches to product design, material and supply chain selection, and end of life strategies to minimize embedded carbon and operational greenhouse gas emissions.

And the application of digital technologies and machine learning can dramatically boost system efficiencies further to enhance the sustainability of infrastructure. Solutions like Xylem’s optimyze™ and Avensor that feature real-time monitoring and analytics that can improve efficiency while enabling a more proactive and predictive approach to maintenance. This example of increased environmental benefit and reduced costs highlights that investments in sustainability make good business sense.

And we at Xylem strongly believe that creating a more sustainable built environment requires us to support the training and education of the industry. At Bell & Gossett’s Little Red Schoolhouse, we not only share best practices in sustainable hydronic HVAC system design and operation, but also actionable ways to embed sustainable practices in one's personal life. Looking ahead, Bell & Gossett will be sponsoring the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) at AHR Expo 2024, which supports members of ASHRAE who are early in their career. We look forward to welcoming you to Chicago!

To learn more about Bell & Gossett’s commitment to operational excellence, sustainability and our attendance at the upcoming AHR Expo 2024, visit our Building Better Futures resource page: https://www.xylem.com/en-us/brands/bell-gossett/building-better/.