In recent years, expectations have evolved over smart buildings and office spaces, spurred by a focus on sustainability goals for the built environment. Facilities managers must now better align business operations with sustainability best practices.
The trend has shifted from adopting Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to developing environmentally responsible spaces. Whereas previously, businesses often looked towards automation to update old systems and unlock new functionalities, now many businesses are adopting technology that helps prioritise the reduction of costs and power demand.
Simultaneously, the modern workforce seeks seamless and coordinated experiences within their office environments, with adaptive spaces that respond to occupant preferences while maintaining optimal energy usage. For example, IoT devices, such as smart lighting systems, have increased in popularity in recent years due to their energy efficient capabilities.
When LED lighting is connected to a building energy management system (BEMS), it can be controlled based on various factors such as schedules, motion or sound. The lighting can turn on and off automatically, without interaction, helping to reduce energy waste.
With such capabilities, BEMS have become indispensable tools, offering the ability to fine-tune IoT operations and create safer, smarter workplaces that help work towards sustainability benchmarks.
Cracking the code: navigating energy efficiency challenges
Facilities managers often experience similar challenges with building energy management. A common issue is a lack of investment, often leading to underutilisation of a BEMS, which can inhibit the system’s potential and often hinders the effectiveness of energy-saving strategies.
Manual intervention poses another hurdle as set points and time schedules are frequently overridden. In this case, HVAC equipment operates manually without centralised control. Sensor-related issues, ranging from incorrect positioning to non-functioning or missing sensors, make matters worse.
Ad hoc projects, such as those involving variable speed drives (VSDs) and standalone components, may not be integrated into the BEMS, creating disjointed energy management. The stagnation of BEMS strategies, without regular reviews or updates, can further impact facility managers from improving standards.
For example, indoor air quality, a crucial aspect of occupant comfort, is often neglected due to a lack of standardised measurement and control regimes. Maintenance lapses, shown by dirty filters and failed components, can contribute to suboptimal system performance.
Insufficient data availability also poses a significant challenge. Without accurate analysis and benchmarking, facility managers may not know where to look to improve their building’s performance.
Along with insufficient data, old control panels with failed components not only jeopardise operational efficiency, they can also introduce potential safety and well-being risks.
BEMS: enabling instant access to accurate data
To help overcome challenges in modern buildings, a BEMS can communicate with IoT and edge devices, such as sensors and actuators, to provide detailed insights on air quality, space utilisation, and building energy performance. Integrating supervisor software empowers BEMS users to drive air quality improvements through filtration and dynamic ventilation, improving the use of spaces while minimising energy consumed.
By improving the use of space and connecting different technologies, BEMS applications can foster a responsive office environment. An example would be a building with interior and exterior sensors for detecting ambient light levels, and actuators that control window shutters.
With this set-up, and with BEMS coordination, facilities managers could program the actuators to reposition shutters based on sunlight levels and room occupancy. This would let the most amount of natural light into an occupied room based on actual conditions and user preferences.
Furthermore, the energy efficient potential with BEMS can be improved with advanced AI and machine learning (ML) algorithms. By examining historical data of a building’s occupancy levels throughout recent years, facilities managers can be better informed when deciding to adjust factors like heating, ventilation and temperature levels.
Looking ahead: BEMS capabilities to pave the way toward an automated future
Implementing a BEMS that utilises AI and ML can help facilities managers find innovative ways to work towards sustainability goals and meet user demands. By analysing real-time data and predictive modelling, the technology allows for precise control and connectivity of building systems.
Integration of AI aside, energy-efficient IoT devices enable immediate access to data, empowering facilities managers and building owners on their path towards sustainable operations. It all begins by putting the right systems in place — and the BEMS lies at the heart.
Author: Anthony Dann is Senior Design Partner at Trend Controls Systems.