FEATURE DATA COLLECTION MANAGEMENT Simplifying the complex
Say the words ‘energy reporting’ to most building managers and it will often mean endless spread sheets, complex systems, and a lot of time wasted. With the rise of smartphones, tablets and technology in our everyday lives, we are getting used to information being presented in a simple way, which extends to energy reporting too. Here, Steve Harris, UK Sales and Marketing Director of Schneider Electric’s buildings division, discusses the demise of the complex user interface, and the rise in simplicity in how we view and access energy information
I
n terms of managing a building’s efficiencies, ‘big data’ is the word on the
industry’s lips. We know that by 2020, it is predicted that more than one third of all data will live in or pass through the cloud. We also know that, with more than 30 billion¹ devices connected to the Internet of Things, data production will be 44 times greater by 2020. But, for a building or energy manager – what does this all really mean? Currently, many businesses monitor
their building’s processes via a series of spreadsheets and separate systems, all working in silo. This disjointed approach makes the whole process of monitoring efficiency far more complex and time consuming than necessary. Building managers of today are left overwhelmed with large volumes of data delivered from each of these systems within their buildings – much of which is duplicated – on a daily basis. The prospect of translating this amount of information into actions is daunting and in effect, many are left data rich, but information poor. But it doesn’t need to be this complex – there is simplicity in integration. Today’s intelligent plug and play building management systems are able to draw information in from all parts of the building – as well as from numerous sites – and incorporate external factors, such as weather predictions into the mix. This data is then organised into relevant, actionable reports, displayed on clear and simple interfaces which are tailored to suit that particular user. But the iBMS is just one piece of the jigsaw. Achieving a truly holistic view of a
building relies on receiving information from all processes – from energy monitoring, to power monitoring, access, controlling comfort and tracking costs, all make a real difference to a business’s bottom line. All systems need to be monitored, along with the iBMS, from a central point, to enable a complete window into their world, from anywhere at any time.
22 SPRING 2014 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT The company’s EcoStruxure solution
architecture unites each of a building’s domains as one, bringing power, data, process and machines, building control (iBMS), and physical security together. This enables building managers to optimise energy efficiencies across each domain and take a top-down view of their entire building or enterprise, from a single dashboard which can be controlled remotely from a smart phone or tablet, or onsite from a PC. There is no doubt that the future will
Figure 1:
Schneider’s iBMS StruxureWare Cluster
Traditionally, this level of integration
has come at a premium cost during both the installation and operational phases, as well as being slow to roll out. This has meant that only larger enterprises have adopted such solutions and, even with significant investment, it hasn’t been possible to fully integrate it into the existing system. This is no longer the case. The rise in sophisticated remote
controlled technology, cloud-hosted data and the ‘Internet of Things’ means this is now a reality for all businesses and building managers.
Reference: 1. Guardian
A SMART SOLUTION Schneider Electric’s SmartStruxure solution and SmartStruxure Lite solution iBMSs have the ability to provide the right information to the right people at the right time, maximising energy savings and employee comfort. Additionally, the company’s Building Analytics service offers an interesting feature in the fact that it makes recommendations based on three metrics: occupants’ comfort, maintenance impact, and energy cost. Integration is the key – and it doesn’t just stop at the BMS.
give rise to more stringent carbon reduction targets and energy performance standards for the UK’s building managers and that big data will have an increasing role to play in achieving these. Emissions from buildings currently account for 36 percent of total UK GHG emissions, and the Committee on Climate Change predicts that there is scope for emissions reductions by 2030 of 74 percent in this area. While budgets remain some way behind
where they were before the economic downturn, businesses are tasked with doing more, for less and building managers must look for increasingly innovative, long term methods of lowering overheads in order to drive better efficiency. The question is now no longer ‘if’ but
‘when’ building and business managers will upgrade their monitoring systems and embrace digital technology. Gone are the numerous complex reports. In their place are simple, user-friendly dashboards which can be tailored to each individual user to provide them with the right information, at the right time, wherever they are, enabling companies to succeed through looking ahead, anticipating and planning. The future of simple energy management is already here for the taking.
Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.co.uk 0870 608 8 608
Enter 207 / ENERGYMANAGEMENT
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