FACILITIES MANAGEMENT


DRIVING SUSTAINABILITY FOR FM


Powerstar containerised BESS on-site


controlled with AI-driven asset prioritisation - again, helping facilities managers to optimise energy management, site-wide. At Rotherham General Hospital, for example,


a BESS installation from Powerstar has had a significant impact on its carbon footprint and energy costs – so much so that it was shortlisted in the edie Awards 2023 for Energy Project of the Year. The costs involved in unnecessary energy wastage through traditional UPS – around 10% of total capacity as compared to 1% for BESS – made a strong financial case to turn to a modern alternative. The solution offered by Powerstar, the HTM-06-


something of a win-win for FM, for both commercial and public sectors. In isolation, solar arrays are neither flexible nor particularly efficient as a standalone solution for reliable on-site power generation – potentially producing more energy than needed when it’s sunny (which equates to wasted energy) and lacking productivity when weather conditions don’t meet energy demand. This is where BESS works in tandem with on-site renewables to help facilities managers realise the optimum benefits from investment in energy management technology. BESS represents one of the most commercially


compelling energy technologies currently available, helping to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions while also offering opportunities to generate new revenue - particularly relevant in a time of economic turbulence. Storing energy generated on-site from renewables such as solar PV is one function of a BESS. Energy security – the threat of rolling blackouts,


and the reality of brownouts which already cause disruption to businesses across the UK – is paramount. In this context, the capability of BESS to provide Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a critical operational benefit. Equally, BESS can save money by shifting the time for purchase of Grid supply, meaning companies can purchase energy off-peak, store that purchased power, and then use BESS-stored energy at peak times. In addition, its flexibility allows companies to engage in Grid Balancing services, meaning the potential to generate a new revenue stream through storing energy to be supplied to the Grid when needed, or even draw down Grid supply when there is excess. Combining solar arrays with BESS and with smart


microgrid technology offers the optimum solution, especially for complex FM requirements. While the microgrid will be connected to the Grid to ensure ongoing energy demands, the microgrid’s energy management software enables facilities managers to balance the mix of Grid-based power with renewable energy generated on-site from solar, helping balance the nuance of budgets and carbon emissions, including on-site energy generation, storage, and demand. Multiple power flows can be


www.essmag.co.uk


01 compliant BESS, provides the Hospital Trust with the same instantaneous load support as a traditional UPS but also offers protection site- wide, rather than limited to specific, itemised equipment. The new solution also enables the Trust to engage with Grid balancing – generating new revenue for the Trust – while also storing renewable energy generated on-site from solar PV arrays to be


used as and when needed. For Rotherham General Hospital, this BESS solution represents energy savings of around £225,000 per annum, while


eliminating approximately 190 tonnes of CO2e and offering a current potential for about £100,000 in new revenue through Grid balancing services. Considering the current demand for cost effective energy, alongside the ongoing requirement to strive for sustainability, the case for technologies that help facilities managers in both public and private sectors is compelling. Implementing sustainability strategies for FM, particularly in the midst of an energy crisis, represents a necessary environmental decision, and a sound business strategy. To find out how much your business could save by


implementing new energy management technology, use Powerstar’s new Energy Saving Calculator tool: https://powerstar.com/energy-saving-calculator/.


Powerstar T: 0333 230 1327 www.powerstar.com


SMART WAYS TO INCREASE BUILDING EFFICIENCY I


traditional method of making buildings more energy-efficient was to focus on roof insulation and double glazing. Modern smart buildings have technical systems to control a range of functions, from HVAC and lighting, to media controls, security and access controls. Digital tools allow occupants or facilities managers to control key functions such as heating and lighting, so the optimal use of energy is much easier to determine and put into effect. By automating control over heating and lighting, you


avoid heating and lighting rooms that are not in use. Sensors can be used to monitor usage, occupancy and environmental conditions, automatically adjusting lighting and HVAC systems accordingly. And, with access to data about the building’s usage and energy consumption, continuous improvement is a possibility. In fact the system gets more efficient over time as the data gathered allows for further optimisation. However, this optimal outcome is more difficult to achieve unless all technical systems are integrated under one platform. These can then be coordinated with each other in real-time, and continuously optimised through integrated energy metering and cloud connectivity. PC-based control aggregates all data points in one system, generating synergy effects. It is only this type of integration that enables sustainable, energy-efficient construction and living in the sense of a green building – with control software for all functions and software libraries for all technical systems. Investment in building automation delivers benefits across the entire value chain. Architects can


make ground-breaking green building concepts a reality, while investors enjoy investment security thanks to energy-efficient buildings that can be repurposed for many years to come simply by making software enhancements. Given the potential for the usage of buildings to change over their lifetime, this flexibility will be key to more intelligent building design. For system integrators and specialist engineers, a quality automation toolkit makes the


implementation and engineering processes much simpler. A smart built environment, with PC-based control of technical systems, delivers significant savings in energy, especially when all systems are integrated under one platform. However, we need to move beyond the financial incentives. Building automation will be vital in ensuring the energy consumption and environmental impact of the built environment can be reduced to more sustainable levels.


Beckhoff Automation T: 01491 410539 www.beckhoff.co.uk


n the EU, buildings are responsible for 40% of total energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. Heating and cooling are the biggest users of energy in buildings, and the


ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Spring 2023


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