INDUSTRY COMMENT: BCIA Net gains: a clearer strategy for change I
BCIA President Graeme Rees discusses government changes, industry trends and the value of data in building management
n a significant move in February the Prime Minister announced the disbandment of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of his cabinet reshuffle. Since the United Kingdom
left the European Union, the department for BEIS has been responsible for setting the environmental, Net Zero and sustainable goals for the future. In its place, three new departments have been established; the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; the Department for Business and Trade. Time will tell if the decision will be a success, but it is my belief that with a renewed focus on Net Zero, it will bring with it a clearer strategy for positive environmental change.
I am pleased to report that statistics taken
from the BCIA’s Market Information Services (MIS) indicate a continuing growth trajectory for the sector, which is hopefully a sign of growing awareness for the value of building controls in contributing to better management of energy efficiency in buildings. The MIS analysis of the market lets BCIA members see trends, market growth and segmentation and can be used to support business development plans and evaluation. MIS data is only available to BCIA member companies and is not shared externally.
I am optimistic that the new government
departments will help galvanise investment in Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) and present an opportunity to illustrate the huge contribution building controls can make. With a very strong set of MIS results the full year for 2022 saw the highest set of figures recorded to date, and the opportunities are undoubtedly there for the building controls industry to build on its position of strength.
Delivering genuine value
One of the BCIA’s objectives is to raise the awareness of building controls in communities beyond the traditional space. There is a value proposition for a huge range of players in this market, including facilities management providers and mechanical contractors, such that the data provided by buildings does deliver genuine value when structured, presented and used appropriately. Data in buildings provides a constant
source of learning. The systems available now, with remote connectivity and analytical tools, can be checked thousands of times in one hour, whereas years ago they would perhaps be checked annually by one person with a toolbag. Data analytical tools give us the advantage of being able to monitor what is happening and predict maintenance requirements before they cause a serious disruption. Retailers were initially ahead of the curve in using data to their advantage because
retail science is all based on data. Where are people spending most money? Which area of a shop has the highest footfall? In office buildings data can now tell us where footfall is concentrated in particular areas and which areas of the building are less busy, and this is where data analysis begins to pay for itself – and more! I have heard it suggested that for every pound that is spent on energy in a building, £10 will be spent on the equipment over the lifecycle of the building, but £100 is spent on the staffing, operations and productivity of the business. This comes from a “serve the people, not the building” approach, but if we serve the building correctly we can also serve the people and much more cost efficiently too.
Difficult to judge
I wrote this column a few days before the BCIA Awards ceremony and dinner, which once again gave the judging panel plenty to think about such was the quality of entries this year. To see the examples of innovation and talented people leading the way in building controls gives me great pride to be a part of this sector and I’ll discuss more about the awards evening itself in the next issue.
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5/5/23 11:01 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2023 7
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