BUILDING ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS


As buildings transition to clean energy, optimised energy infrastructure is required to maximise the benefits of renewables. Socomec’s ‘prosumer’ project at our Benfeld headquarters demonstrates how solar energy can be harnessed effectively to maximise self- consumption. As both a producer and consumer,


Converting performance into financial gains


With rising electricity prices, controlling consumption and improving energy performance have become key to the profitability of buildings. Gaining access to a full view of energy data is an effective way to prioritise actions and pinpoint inefficiencies, says Colin Dean.


Colin Dean www.socomec.co.uk


T


Managing director of Socomec UK


delivers both economically and environmentally. By investing in gold-standard energy management technologies, businesses can lay the foundations to improve their financial performance and achieve their sustainability goals.


oday, building operators face the critical task of managing and maintaining an energy infrastructure that is both


profitable and sustainable. The latest revision of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) introduces tightening energy efficiency standards, recognising that buildings account for nearly 40% of Europe’s energy consumption and approximately 35% of greenhouse gas emissions. Coupled with energy shortages and rising electricity prices, consumption management is more important now than ever. Sustainable energy consumption


starts with using energy wisely, by maximising efficiency in power hungry facilities. In doing so, businesses are better placed to take full advantage of the opportunities created by renewables and emerging technologies like AI. The positive news is that adopting energy efficient approaches


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Modern metering systems As in all cases, knowledge is power. The first step to optimising a building’s energy efficiency is getting clear insights into how energy consumption is distributed and where the inefficiencies lie. Accurate energy monitoring and


metering is especially important for buildings with multiple tenants, where operators have the added responsibility of billing consumption fairly and transparently. Against rising energy costs, operators need to ensure confidence in the data from all parties. Without reliable energy insights, trust breaks down, compromising business relationships and leaving business leaders ill- equipped to meet environmental and commercial KPIs. For this reason, meters installed


for consumption billing are bound to comply with international standards such as the EU Measuring Instrument Directive (MID). The MID sets out strict requirements for the accuracy


of metering equipment, ensuring fair sub-tenant billing. The most advanced MID-certified measuring instruments achieve a Class C rating – the strictest category defined under EN 50470- 3 – correlating to 0.5 per cent accuracy across a wide measurement chain. This means that even when operating conditions vary, the total measurement error across the system does not exceed half a percent of the actual consumption. For building operators, implementing tech of this calibre ensures complete trust in the accuracy of the data, and is vital to having a clear picture of overall energy performance.


Smarter energy storage Energy supply is not always dependable, and many businesses are rightly concerned about how fluctuations could affect operations. Reliable power supply is vital for keeping core systems online, safeguarding sensitive data and protecting occupants, with even brief interruptions having severe consequences for productivity and revenue. The onus is on building operators to adopt solutions that not only secure continuous power, but also promote responsible and sustainable energy use.


we are able to bank surplus electricity generated on-site during the day via photovoltaics (PV). From there, advanced storage systems enable the company to unlock clean energy’s full potential by delivering it at the right moment, such as during peak hours. This system ensures that electric vehicle charging stations are able to operate seamlessly year-round, powered solely on solar energy between May and September, and continuing to perform effectively during the winter. This kind of self-consumption not only ensures that power never stops, but also that none is wasted in the process – making the prosumer model increasingly attractive to building operators.


Financial gains Besides the positive environmental impact, a move towards energy efficiency also opens doors to significant financial gains. Energy shortages have driven electricity prices up, making it crucial for operators to align building energy management with long-term business goals. However, energy infrastructure is often overlooked in business strategy – seen as a complicated overhead expense rather than an opportunity for transformation. With increasingly advanced, modular energy management technology now available, energy autonomy doesn’t have to be complex. Modern metering solutions can flag revenue losses by alerting building operators to energy-intensive elements, while peak shaving limits power consumption and demand on the grid when it’s most expensive during peak hours. We’re entering a new era where


energy autonomy doesn’t require a total overhaul of infrastructure, but the changes made count for everything. What’s certain is that business


leaders will struggle to turn a profit without reviewing how their facilities are powered and investing in systems to optimise performance. Forward- thinking organisations are now reconciling their drive for profitability with the shared responsibility to reduce ca rbon footprints, recognising that business success starts from the ground up. ■


EIBI | OCTOBER 2025


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