IoT Insider Editor Kristian McCann speaks with Matthew Margetts, Director at Smarter Technologies, on the critical topic of energy management in buildings, a subject of growing importance in today’s environmentally conscious world. With a focus on how emerging technologies, combined with implementation strategies, can help we monitor, control, the conversation explores how to optimise energy use in commercial and residential spaces.
“Energy management is about understanding your utilisation, but at a granular level, and being able to adapt and change that to suit equally, it’s about being able to introduce renewables and on-site generation capability,” says Margetts.
Margetts sheds light on the intricacies of energy management, discussing various aspects such as the elements of a building’s energy usage that can be managed, including lighting and individual computers. He addresses why energy management has become increasingly crucial for energy managers, property managers, and businesses, especially in the context of rising energy costs and environmental concerns.
The conversation explores the components of an effective energy management strategy and the nature of energy monitoring systems. Margetts explains the concept of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) and their role in optimising energy usage in commercial and residential buildings, and HVAC systems and individual computing devices. Margetts explains the immediate impacts of optimising these systems, highlighting: “office blocks have HVAC units. Now they operate based on the assumption that there are people in rooms. Are people actually using those rooms? Are they coming in? Are they set up to actually come in and operate at the right times?”
Furthermore, Margetts discusses the variation in smart building implementations, tailored to different types of buildings like schools, hotels, or residential blocks. He highlights the latest advancements in smart energy management technologies and their contributions to improved energy efficiency. The podcast also features compelling case studies showcasing how energy management solutions have significantly reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in large commercial buildings.
A key part of the discussion focuses on the role of renewable energy sources in building energy management strategies, along with the associated technical challenges and benefits. Margetts also elaborates on the application of AI and machine learning in energy management for predictive analytics, fault detection, and adaptive control in buildings.
The episode culminates with an insightful conversation on the potential impact of city-wide adoption of smart energy management principles, the importance of demand response programmes, peak load management, and the future trends and challenges in smart energy management for buildings.
To listen to this insightful conversation with Matthew Margetts and to gain deeper insights into the world of smart energy management, tune into the IoT Insider Podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at the link below.
Energy managment: how to implement an effective strategy – IoT Unplugged
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