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Energy Transition and the Built Environment

We offer customers a comprehensive understanding of emerging standards and technology that help safely advance energy resilience.

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Prioritize safer, more sustainable electrification in new and existing structures

In 2022, the buildings sector emissions accounted for one third of overall emissions. To meet the target reduction outlined by the IEA Net Zero Emissions Scenario, operations emissions need to drop by 50% by 2030 — that’s just a few years away.

Our buildings — homes, stores, factories — are increasingly outfitted with power generation technology, storage and optimization technologies to reduce GHG during construction and operation.

Through efficiencies promised through smart building control systems, DC conversions and on-site storage, retooling the built environment can help achieve seemingly unreachable climate goals.

Energy transition and safety in the evolving built environment

The built environment includes the structures where we live, work, shop, play, study, etc. And, in pursuit of energy transition, buildings are also where we generate, store and manage energy that powers daily activities. The decarbonized built environment will be a powerful agent of change — but also home to new fire safety, interoperability, and data protection challenges.

At UL Solutions, we continue to shape the regulatory conversation around fire and electrical safety codes that apply to the built environment today and as structures embrace energy transition technology for a more sustainable future.

 

Safer, greener electrification of the built environment

As a company, we were founded in 1894 to advance the safer addition of electricity in structures around the world. Today, this is still a core part of our mission, combined with the pressing need for energy decarbonization in both new and retrofitted structures. From on-site wind and solar generation to hydrogen fuel blends, we meet customers where they are in their built environment journey and help them move forward with confidence.

We play a pivotal role in shaping existing fire and electrical safety standards – and remain at the center of the conversation today, side by side with regulators and industry strategists.

 

Here’s how UL Solutions helps the built environment industry identify, reduce and optimize green electrification and reduce emissions:

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Building consensus around built environment standards

We are a trusted safety science provider with brilliant engineers participating in standards panels and industry working groups to shape the future of safety in the evolving built environment.

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Tools for new and existing structures

Customers like asset owners and building firms rely on our software and advisory services to understand how to safely and securely optimize the built environment from construction through operation.

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Safety guidance that channels enthusiasm

We work with dynamic customers daily to help them understand riskin the built environment and how to focus on safety as well as sustainability.

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Transitioning to electrification

Modernizing the built environment – whether adding microgrids, EV charging infrastructure, PV systems or other technology– must start by prioritizing electrical and fire safety. Our experts help asset owners and building managers understand and identify perennial safety risks through testing, inspection and certification services for electrification technology.

 

 

 

Services, software and guidance for a safer built environment

 

 

 

Meet the experts

Dwayne Sloan

Vice president, Principal Engineering, Industrial

Dwayne Sloan is a built environment and fire protection global leader, with 35+ years at UL Solutions. He is passionate about helping the built environment community rise to the challenge of balancing sustainable, energy efficient design with maintaining building and fire safety. Dwayne is deeply involved in standards and code development and represents UL Solutions as a leader on a wide array of standards committees, including the Standards Council of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Fire Safety Standards Coalition.

Provide reassurance through rigor

When an asset owner, building manager or homeowner considers adding a solar array or a battery energy storage system, they want to feel confident in the safety of those products. Demonstrating compliance with electrical and fire safety, connectivity and other relevant regulations through services such as certification, testing and inspection to provide reassurance for asset owners, building managers and occupants.

Decarbonizing real estate

There's never been a better time to decarbonize the built environment. Renewable generation and storage technology has evolved — and governments and investors are incentivizing climate friendly technology. As your real estate assets make the switch to a fossil fuel-free future, make sure that you’re not introducing additional risk for your occupants, property and data. UL Solutions helps you mitigate risk and make progress.

Building through the lens of fire safety

For the building and construction industry, managing and monitoring safety requires looking at the entire lifecycle of the structure. In response to new risks in on-site energy production and storage, UL Solutions can work with built environment stakeholders to evaluate the placement and performance of next-generation power generation through the lens of fire protection and prevention.

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