INDUSTRY COMMENT
The Smart Buildings Show recently brought together many of the top industry leaders and decision-makers, keen to encourage tighter scrutiny on the challenges the BEMS (Building Energy Management Systems) sector is facing and positively shape the future of the built environment
O
ne of the most anticipated conferences was a BCIA-hosted panel debate, that identified the challenges of turning existing buildings into smart buildings. The lively discussion, chaired by
BCIA President Stacey Lucas, featured input from Jon Belfield, InTandem Systems’ Managing Director, Andrew Cooke, Co-Director of Industrial Decarbonisation and Energy Trading at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Joanna Harris, Sodexho’s UK and I Hard FM Ambassador, and Tony Small, Head of Engineering Services at University of Liverpool.
Although the industry is continually investing in and developing technology to improve building quality and enhance energy efficiency, bringing older buildings up to a smart building standard can be a real challenge. However, the regeneration and update of existing buildings isn’t a burden, it’s an opportunity. There are
abandoned or unoccupied buildings across the UK that could be better used, increasing the need for these to be purposefully monitored and managed through the implementation of smart technology.
Building controls can help, but the industry is going to need to do more, whether that’s improving education on the benefits of building controls, or the government working hand-in- hand with industry leaders to define and shape policy.
This need is exacerbated by the fact that there are around two million commercial buildings that are currently not ready to be net zero carbon by 2050. Unfortunately, it isn’t just as simple as starting retrofitting work now (although that is urgently needed) - it’s also about raising awareness, developing policy, talking a holistic approach, and considering the financial implications of the implementation of building automation systems.
The UK government’s decision to set the target of net zero by 2050 was a brave one. While it did not necessarily know how best to achieve this, what it did do was kickstart people into action and set the wheels in motion for organisations and building owners to truly consider reducing carbon emissions and identifying environmental impacts. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, introduced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, is certainly a highly useful tool in encouraging the owners of public sector buildings to reduce carbon emissions through switching to cleaner heating and the use of smart technology. However, it is also imperative that the government works closely with BEMS industry leaders and decision-makers to help define policy and put plans in place to enable the better implementation of smart technology in buildings in the coming years. The discussions had between government officials and the BCIA offer encouraging signs in this regard. Indeed, the panel discussion at the Smart Buildings Show highlighted the government’s desire to work closely with the BEMS sector in any way it can.
Alongside close collaboration between industry leaders and policy-makers comes the need for a holistic approach through digitisation, too. Having multiple systems in one building can often lead to competing priorities, making it harder to have a clear and defined energy efficiency strategy in place. However, having one simple and easy-to-use BEMS platform will enable better tracking of data, more energy efficient performance, and more accurate and reliable decisions made by building owners or facility managers.
One of the biggest challenges of digitising buildings is the financial implications. Many building owners and facility managers only consider the initial outlay, with some deeming the implementation of BEMS to be too expensive. However, the ongoing energy, and bill, savings can soon outweigh the initial cost.
Utilising the latest advancements in technology, such as BEMS and digital twins, and working with building controls specialists can give building owners a great insight into not only the implications of retrofitting an existing building into a smart one but also a clear trajectory of what can be done with the building.
Indeed, the recent implementation of smart technology at a UK university led to a 22% reduction in energy consumption in the first year, saving around £180,000 in energy expenditure. This significantly outweighed the initial cost of the retrofitting project.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk 01245 324900 |
sales@smithsep.co.uk SmithsEP.co.uk | @SmithsEP_UK | #ThinkSmiths
SMTHS_BSEE_CASPIAN_128x358mm_SEPT_2024.indd 1 Smiths EP hp BSEE
Sep24.indd 1 09/08/2024 16:37 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2024 7 12/8/24 20:19
- Engineered for a 20% increase in heat output* - EC only fans for improved efficiency - 5-year guarantee - Manufactured in the UK
- Greater energy savings when specified with Smart Control
* Average increase across Caspian product range
Caspian®
Fan
Convectors now redesigned to boost heat output by 20%
A single heating solution for a variety of applications - high, low or ceiling mounted installation
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
