New capacity for generating electricity from solar, wind and other renewables increased to a record level worldwide in 2021 and will grow further this year as governments increasingly seek to take advantage of renewable power’s energy security and climate benefits, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest report.
The world added a record 295 gigawatts of new renewable power capacity in 2021, overcoming supply chain challenges, construction delays and high raw material prices, according to the Renewable Energy Market Update. Global capacity additions are expected to rise this year to 320 gigawatts — equivalent to an amount that would come close to meeting the entire electricity demand of Germany or matching the European Union’s (EU) total electricity generation from natural gas. Solar photovoltaic (PV) power is on course to account for 60% of global renewable power growth in 2022, followed by wind and hydropower.
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A survey conducted the last two weeks of June 2022 finds that a “staggering” majority of respondents — nearly 83% — are more concerned about crime today than they were before the pandemic. TAL Global, an international risk assessment and security consulting firm based in Silicon Valley, conducted the survey, which included facilities managers (FMs) among the respondents.
Among the other findings were the following:
- 66% report their staff is more concerned about crime today than before the pandemic.
- Asked if building security is playing a role in getting employees back to work, about 38% of the respondents said yes, 38% said no, and the remainder, 24%, said they were unsure.
- These findings parallel the results of another question. When asked if building security plays a role in retaining and attracting new tenants, once again, 38% said yes, 38% no, with the remainder unsure.
- As to addressing concerns about crime and building security, 56% indicated they would “install or update cameras and surveillance systems,” 22% said they would “hire security guards,” and 37% said they plan to “install or update their alarm systems.”
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When it comes to addressing the FM skills gap, ProFMI identified 24 cross-functional competencies and FM knowledge areas required of FMs today. Many of these skills can be developed over time with on-the-job experience, but as the need for job-ready FMs grows, time is a limiting factor. Benchmarking existing knowledge and filling the gaps with training is an efficient path to a skilled workforce, notes ProFMI.
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(Originally published on fnPrime) The cost of operating and maintaining a facility is often the second largest line item in an organization’s budget, right behind salaries and benefits. When facilities managers are involved in developing their organization’s strategic plan, they’re better able to ensure that the resources devoted to the facility are used as effectively as possible. They’re also better prepared to develop strategic plans for their facilities departments that dovetail with their organizations’ mission and goals.
Yet, few facilities managers have the skills needed to effectively engage in strategic planning.
The facilities department needs to be an integral part of an organization’s strategic planning process. For effective results, facilities managers need to fully understand the business intent of the organizations they serve.
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Global building technology society ASHRAE has just issued a position document on building decarbonization and its role on mitigating the negative carbon impact of buildings on the environment. The ASHRAE Position Document on Building Decarbonization presents the Society’s positions and recommendations for achieving a reduction in emissions through the renovation of existing building stock and improvements to new building designs.
2022-23 ASHRAE President Farooq Mehboob, ASHRAE Fellow, stated, "Building decarbonization encompasses a building’s entire life cycle, including building design, construction, operation, occupancy and end of life. ASHRAE is leading the charge in accelerating the mitigation of carbon resulting from energy use in the built environment by providing this roadmap to further our Society’s mission of a healthy and sustainable built environment for all."
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(SkyFoundry white paper) Let’s think about how technology helps us deal with massive amounts of information in our daily life. Netflix uses data analytics to suggest movies you might like based on past history.
Amazon suggests things you might be interested in based on your buying history. Friends and co-workers suggest articles or stories we may be interested in. We subscribe to news feeds that match our interests — all of these are ways we navigate our data filled world. While it might be fun to surf what’s available — and we all do from time to time — there is just too much content and not enough time.
So now let’s think about our facilities. You have a control system. You have graphics of equipment systems. But there is too much to look at and properly assess just by browsing around. You don’t need to — and can’t afford to — spend your time looking at equipment systems that are functioning properly.
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Nearly three in five Americans (60%) report being concerned about the safety and security of loved ones in a hospital or medical facility (defined as “safety from physical harm, injury or danger caused by a person”), according to a March consumer survey from Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX).
With incidents of workplace violence in healthcare on the rise across the nation, the survey additionally reveals that approximately 70% of Americans believe that if nurses felt safer, they might not be leaving the profession in large numbers and 88% say individuals in a hospital or medical facility should feel as safe there as they do in airports and/or on airplanes.
"These results make it clear that Americans are justifiably concerned about workplace violence in healthcare," stated Chrystie Leonard, General Manager, GHX Vendormate. "We know violence is a contributing factor to nurses leaving the profession and rising levels of burnout which ultimately has a negative effect on patient care. More than ever, it’s vital for hospital leadership to create a safer, more secure environment for staff, patients and visitors and support policies that adopt a zero-tolerance approach to workplace violence."
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Automating maintenance operations results in more management control, enhanced FM services, and lower costs
(PropertyTRAK case study) An integrated PropertyTRAK solution for Operations Maintenance has empowered and amplified the Kansas City University staff’s ability to efficiently accomplish more. Financial benefits of more than $120,000 annually are accruing directly to the University due to the system’s capability to control staff size while extending the useful life of assets.
KCU manages 600,000 sq.ft.
Kansas City University provides medical education for physicians. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, for more than a century, in 2019 KCU added a campus in Joplin, Missouri, for a total building space of 600,000 sq. ft. Services for classrooms, laboratories, biomedical research, and a medical simulation facility are provided by a staff of 40 technicians and managers.
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New events posted this week
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