The global energy management system (EMS) market was valued at $31.29 billion in 2015 and is forecast to reach $63.16 billion by 2021, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4 percent between 2016 and 2021, according to a report from Zion Research.

Verdigris, an artificial intelligence (AI) company for smart buildings, has announced the launch of Einstein, its next-generation Internet of Things (IoT) smart sensor and metering solution designed to reduce energy consumption and cost in buildings.

An analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the global energy-efficient building market from 2016 to 2020 is included in the latest report from Technavio. It reveals the top three emerging trends driving the market according to Technavio’s research analysts.

Changing customer demands, regulations and sustainability goals, and power regulation and resiliency concerns are leading building owners to realize that the guidelines they have traditionally used to assess their portfolios are changing, notes Navigant Research.

Although still emerging, the market for zero net energy homes (ZNEHs) is expected to be led by new construction in North America, notes Navigant Research. Other countries in select regions, such as Europe and Asia-Pacific, are also beginning to follow suit.

The global energy-efficient building market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6 percent during the forecast period of 2016 to 2020, according to a report from Sandler Research.

The U.S. Army announced it has surpassed the $1 billion mark in energy savings performance contracts and utility energy services contracts in less than five years. This is in response to President Obama’s challenge to all federal agencies to achieve a total investment of $4 billion before the end of 2016.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a waste and materials tracking feature in its Energy Star Portfolio Manager, which is a free benchmarking and tracking tool for commercial building owners and managers.