Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor.
As the U.S. smart building market reached $24.66 billion in 2024, the demand for Internet of Things (IoT)-driven automation continues to rise. From environmental sensors to access control systems, smart buildings rely heavily on battery-powered IoT devices to optimize energy efficiency and streamline operations. However, this reliance introduce hidden costs—both financial and environmental. Frequent battery replacements not only drive up maintenance expenses but also create operational inefficiencies and electronic waste, posing a major challenge for facilities managers and building operators.
To sustain long-term growth and innovation, smart buildings must transition away from battery-dependent IoT solutions. Radio frequency (RF)-based wireless power presents a scalable, cost-effective alternative that eliminates battery maintenance while enhancing system reliability. By adopting this technology, real estate leaders and facilities managers can reduce operational costs, improve sustainability efforts, and future-proof their buildings.
The Hidden Costs of Battery-Powered IoT in Smart Buildings
Smart buildings are designed for seamless automation, yet battery-powered IoT devices introduce an ongoing cycle of inefficiency. Sensors monitoring temperature, humidity, occupancy, and access control require frequent battery replacements, increasing labor costs and disrupting building operations. Facilities managers often struggle to keep track of thousands of devices, leading to operational blind spots when batteries unexpectedly fail. In high-stakes environments such as hospitals, data centers, and corporate offices, a single malfunctioning sensor can compromise security protocols, disrupt energy optimization efforts, or even lead to regulatory compliance issues.
On a broader scale, the environmental consequences of battery dependency cannot be ignored. Lithium-ion mining depletes finite resources, while battery manufacturing emits large quantities of CO₂—up to 1 gigaton annually within the next decade. The disposal process further compounds the issue, as billions of batteries end up in landfills annually, contributing to hazardous waste buildup. With the smart building sector poised for exponential growth, the industry must address this unsustainable model before battery waste becomes an even greater liability. Transitioning to battery-free IoT solutions powered by RF-based wireless energy is a critical step toward cost efficiency, operational reliability, and environmental responsibility.
How RF Wireless Power Eliminates Battery Dependency
RF wireless power harvesting is transforming smart building operations by enabling low-power IoT devices to run continuously without batteries. These systems typically include a rectenna (a rectifying antenna) that captures RF signals and converts them into DC power. When combined with efficient energy management circuitry, this setup allows smart sensors to operate autonomously, drawing energy from existing RAIN RFID networks or dedicated wireless power transmitters. The result is a cost-effective and maintenance-free power solution that supports widespread sensor deployment, even in hard-to-reach or frequently changing locations.
This technology is already being applied in practical, real-world scenarios:
- Battery-Free Occupancy & Motion Detectors: Smart buildings are using RF-powered motion and occupancy sensors to automate lighting and HVAC systems. These devices help reduce energy consumption in real time by detecting when rooms are empty and adjusting systems accordingly.
- Flexible Access Control Systems: RF power enables smart ID badges with features like LED indicators, e-paper displays, and stronger encryption. Ideal for modular offices and event spaces, these wirelessly powered badges eliminate battery swaps while enhancing security and functionality.
- Air Quality & Environmental Monitoring: Schools, hospitals, and office buildings are deploying battery-free temperature, humidity, and air quality sensors to continuously track environmental conditions. RF power ensures these critical monitors remain online without manual battery changes, supporting health and regulatory compliance.
- Smart Lighting Controls: Wireless light switches and dimmers powered by RF energy offer a zero-maintenance alternative in large commercial buildings. These controls can be placed anywhere, enhancing layout flexibility without the need for rewiring or battery swaps.
As smart building adoption accelerates in North America, early adopters are turning to RF wireless power as a scalable, sustainable, and future-ready alternative to traditional energy sources.
A Competitive Advantage for Smart Building Leaders
While battery-powered IoT sensors may offer short-term convenience, their long-term impact on operating budgets and efficiency can be substantial. The recurring need for battery replacements adds labor costs, disrupts workflows, and creates vulnerabilities in critical building systems. RF wireless power eliminates these pain points by enabling sensors to operate continuously without manual intervention. This not only reduces maintenance overhead but also enhances reliability—particularly in hard-to-reach or dynamically changing spaces where battery replacement is impractical.
Beyond cost savings, RF wireless power plays a pivotal role in supporting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. With global pressure mounting to reduce electronic waste and carbon emissions, eliminating disposable batteries is a meaningful step toward sustainability. Wireless-powered IoT systems cut reliance on lithium-ion batteries and reduce the emissions tied to their production and disposal. By optimizing energy use across lighting, HVAC, and security systems, this technology also helps real estate stakeholders improve building performance metrics and align with green building standards and compliance requirements.
For smart building leaders, the shift to wireless power is more than an operational upgrade—it’s a strategic investment in future-proof infrastructure. Tenants and investors increasingly favor buildings that demonstrate environmental responsibility and technological innovation. Integrating RF wireless power not only enhances operational agility and reduces total cost of ownership but also strengthens a building’s positioning in a highly competitive real estate market. As the smart building industry accelerates toward a projected $68.67 billion in value by 2034, early adoption of scalable, sustainable technologies will define the next generation of market leaders.
Dr. Charles Greene is the chief operating and technical officer of Powercast Corp., a provider of far-field RF-based wireless power, inductive technologies, and magnetic resonance. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and specializes in RF, antenna design, and RFID. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Greene is a co-inventor of over 100 patents and has numerous other foreign and pending applications in the wireless power and RFID fields. He has published numerous articles and presented at various industry conferences in the U.S., Europe, and Japan.