Integrating renewable energy into building designs helps make them more energy-efficient. Here are some cool technologies that play an important part in this:

1. Solar Energy Systems:

   • Solar panels change sunlight into electricity. By 2022, there was about 1,000 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy being used around the world, which is about 10% of all the electricity we use.
   • Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) are special solar panels that can be used as part of buildings instead of regular building materials. This can save up to 40% on energy!

2. Geothermal Heating and Cooling:

   • Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) take advantage of the earth’s stable temperature to heat and cool spaces. They can lower energy use by 25% to 50% compared to normal heating and cooling systems.

3. Energy Storage Solutions:

   • Batteries like lithium-ion and flow batteries store energy from solar and wind sources. This means buildings can use renewable energy anytime they need it. The market for energy storage is expected to go over $300 billion by 2040!

4. Smart Grid Technology:

   • New sensors and communication tools help monitor and manage energy use in real-time. This can improve a building's energy efficiency by 10% to 30%.

5. Energy Management Systems (EMS):

   • EMS helps buildings use energy better by bringing together different renewable energy sources. This can help cut energy bills by up to 20%.

Using these technologies supports environmentally friendly building designs and helps meet our growing energy needs in a smart way.