ENERGY MANAGEMENT
system takes away the need for manual data collection, saving time, money and increasing the accuracy of data. A connected aM&T system also allows an FM to access data in real time and monitor sites from one dashboard, as well as removing the burden of manually creating energy use reports.
The next step towards a “smart” system is where the aM&T works automatically with the building information system (BIS) and building management system (BMS) to not only monitor energy use across buildings and zones but to understand how this relates to the people using the building.
This then opens the door to setting and testing BMS profiles that will react automatically to the BIS and aM&T. What is more exciting yet, would be for the BMS to automatically improve profiles without an FM having to check every iteration for incremental improvements. This is the difference between a smart system and self-learning system.
However, smart systems are rarely implemented. This is not due to technology but the lack of a solid business case in most situations.
At the moment, the data from an aM&T system is most likely acted on manually within the BMS by an FM with energy training. aM&T systems are very cheap to install, and when coming to an unoptimised BMS, there are significant gains of over 20% in energy savings to be made through better BMS profiles. There are excellent integrated systems available but these savings are more than enough for most without the need for further BIS and BMS integration considering the costs involved rise steeply.
To make fully integrated systems worthwhile, they need to be considered at the start of a procurement exercise; it is far easier to make use of new technology if the energy management goals in a procurement document are set out over a longer period and are the responsibility all stakeholders, not just the FM.
www.tomorrowsfm.com
A common mistake when procuring smart systems can also be over- measuring, and while the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), has captured the attention of futurologists, when it comes to energy management in the workplace this is likely to be a step too far.
I once helped a research and design company, tasked with increasing their energy efficiency. The client was insistent, despite our best advice, on measuring everything, right down to individual pieces of lab equipment. The data produced was fantastic but, in the end, not particularly useful. Because lab equipment contributes little to overall energy use, the real- time dashboards in their labs barely flickered while they were in the office. The same would apply to PCs, telephones or desk lamps. The moral of the story is to think and plan ahead to measure what matters and not everything with a cord.
“THERE ARE
SIGNIFICANT GAINS OF OVER 20% IN
ENERGY SAVINGS TO BE MADE THROUGH BETTER BMS PROFILES.”
For most businesses, it is more pragmatic to concentrate on putting in place sub-meters, measuring energy use from the biggest consumers of power, the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) systems. Smart connected technology will have a bigger impact on HVAC systems. From ensuring heating and cooling systems are not running in parallel, to reusing canal water as a coolant and heat from machinery to warm nearby offices.
As an example, a client of ours operating a leisure centre saw regular one AM spikes in their gas usage thanks to the cleaning staff powering through the hot water to steam clean the showers. It remains the role of the energy management specialist to examine this data and understand the material and behavioral reasons behind them.
The barriers to integrated systems will fall over time as automated systems become more affordable. This will help with the adoption of smart sensors and IoT devises. For example, smart sensors within an HVAC will help plan and predict when vital machinary is due to fail. There is also the option of not only automating the use of energy but also the drawdown of energy from the grid and micro-renewables. We will see the emergence of new local high capacity battery technology that can save energy from the grid at a cheaper rate for use later.
Smart buildings do not stop at the fabric of the building. At Bilfinger Industrial Automation Services they have been working with a logistics company to examine their energy use throughout their business including warehousing and operations. Automated controls that can switch off conveyor belts when not in use save energy and unnecessary wear and tear.
As a facilities manager with an eye on the future, I would recommend first of all making sure that the aM&T system is up to standard and future proof. Next, a sub-metering project will provide valuable insight and a platform for future technology. To get the buy-in you need, a useful method is to choose the five zones or buildings that are causing you concern or where you think the most gains can be made. HVAC controls are an area where automation and smart management offer disproportionate savings and are a shrewd area to prioritise for investment. With a more integrated approach, a forward thinking company looking holistically at energy management over the long term has the potential to remove an additional 20%of energy use over enhanced BMS profiling alone.
The future of automated energy management will be challenging, require innovation but if we focus on where we can make the biggest savings we can drive the industry into the future.
www.uk.bilfinger.com TOMORROW’S FM | 31
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