Integrating Smart Building Technologies and Data Science into Clean Energy Workforce Development

Context

Federal investments through the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS Act are catalyzing a surge in clean energy jobs. These roles increasingly intersect with smart building technologies — systems that optimize energy use, indoor air quality, and operational efficiency through automation and data analytics.

Opportunity

Smart buildings represent a high-growth sector within clean energy infrastructure. They require a workforce skilled in:

  • Building automation systems
  • IoT sensor integration
  • Energy management platforms
  • Data science for predictive maintenance and performance optimization

Note: Modern smart building design increasingly pairs fiber-based networking (including Passive Optical LAN/POLAN) with next-generation remote-power systems (including Class 4 / Fault-Managed Power) — understanding these technologies is becoming essential for clean-energy and smart-building workforce training.

Policy Recommendations

  1. Expand Regional Workforce Partnerships
    • Include smart building employers and technology vendors in clean energy workforce coalitions.
    • Support cross-sector training programs that blend HVAC, electrical, and IT skills with data analytics.
  2. Modernize Curriculum and Credentials
    • Fund modular training programs that integrate smart building systems and data science into existing trades.
    • Promote stackable credentials in building automation, cybersecurity, and energy analytics.
  3. Leverage Community-Based Organizations
    • Partner with trusted local groups to recruit underrepresented populations into smart building careers.
    • Provide wraparound services (e.g. digital literacy, transportation) to support retention.
  4. Use Data to Drive Equity and Innovation
    • Require disaggregated data on training outcomes in smart building pathways.
    • Incentivize programs that demonstrate inclusive hiring and advancement in tech-enabled roles.
  5. Align Economic and Workforce Development
    • Encourage Community Benefits Agreements that include smart building job creation.
    • Support local governments in adopting smart building standards that create demand for skilled labor.

Conclusion

Smart buildings are a cornerstone of the clean energy transition. By embedding data science and automation into workforce strategies, states can ensure equitable access to high-wage, future-ready jobs while advancing sustainability goals.

Further reading

  • U.S. Department of Energy — Building Technologies Office: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings
  • Inflation Reduction Act — legislation & resources: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376
  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (overview): https://www.whitehouse.gov/build/
  • Building Performance Institute (training / workforce): https://www.bpi.org/
  • ASHRAE — building systems & standards: https://www.ashrae.org/
  • NIST — IoT & cybersecurity resources: https://www.nist.gov/topics/internet-things
  • U.S. Department of Labor — apprenticeship & workforce programs: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/apprenticeship
  • CABA (Continental Automated Buildings Association): https://caba.org/

Technical whitepapers (PDF)

  • How to Power Your Optical LAN (POLAN) — Belden whitepaper (PDF): https://assets.belden.com/m/437771666e3121b7/original/How-to-Power-Your-Optical-LAN-2024-04-FL-EN.pdf
  • Class 4 / Fault-Managed Power: Belden / FMP Alliance resources and whitepapers (UL 1400 / Class 4 guidance): https://fmpalliance.org/ and Belden’s Class 4 systems white paper: https://www.belden.com/knowledge-hub/resources/class-4-systems

Research & reports

  • Rocky Mountain Institute — Electric Buildings and workforce insights: https://rmi.org/
  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) — research on buildings & workforce transitions: https://www.nrel.gov/
  • Brookings Institution — analysis on clean energy workforce and regional job programs: https://www.brookings.edu/
  • The Aspen Institute / RMI / DOE reports on training-to-work transitions in clean energy: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/
  • IEEE Spectrum / Transactions on Smart Grid — technical research and workforce skill discussions: https://spectrum.ieee.org/
  • Journal articles on smart building workforce & training (search Google Scholar for “smart buildings workforce development”, “building automation training”)

Training programs & certifications

  • Building Performance Institute (BPI) — certified HVAC, building science, and energy auditor credentials: https://www.bpi.org/
  • National Institute for Building Sciences — workforce resources & training guides: https://www.nibs.org/
  • Department of Energy — Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines & training resources: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/better-buildings
  • Registered Apprenticeship (DOL) — apprenticeshipModels adaptable to smart-building trades: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
  • Community college programs & non-credit bootcamps (search local community college offerings for building automation / IoT / data analytics)

  • Cybersecurity training (NICE Framework / CISA / NIST resources) for IoT & building controls: https://www.cisa.gov/, https://www.nist.gov/topics/cybersecurity

  • Passive Optical LAN (POLAN) resources and remote-power design: https://www.belden.com/blog/unleashing-the-potential-of-polan-remote-power-strategies and https://apolanglobal.org/
  • Fault-Managed Power (Class 4) / Fault-Managed Power Alliance: https://fmpalliance.org/ and https://www.belden.com/blog/the-fault-managed-power-alliance-where-industry-leaders-unite