Unlocking Energy Savings: A Deep Dive into Building Energy Management Systems

As the demand for energy continues to grow, so does the need for efficient use of energy resources. Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) have emerged as a solution to help organizations manage their energy consumption, reduce energy costs, and improve sustainability.

This article will discuss the importance of BEMS and how you can improve energy efficiency in buildings.

What is a Building Energy Management System?

BEMS can monitor and control various building systems such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and other energy-consuming equipment. BEMS use data from sensors, meters, and other sources to analyze and optimize building energy usage.

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Importance of BEMS

More and more building owners and managers are turning to BEMS data and other energy management tools/software/platform as energy efficiency increasingly becomes a C-Suite agenda in 2024 and beyond.

BEMS provides facility managers and building owners with real-time information on energy consumption, enabling them to make data-driven decisions to improve energy efficiency. The importance of BEMS cannot be overstated.

Here are some key reasons why BEMS are crucial for any organization:

1. Energy Cost Savings: One of the most significant advantages of BEMS is energy cost savings. By monitoring and controlling energy usage, BEMS can help reduce energy consumption, which translates to lower energy costs for the organization. Studies show that BEMS can result in energy savings of up to 30% in commercial buildings.
2. Improved Energy Efficiency: BEMS can help identify energy inefficiencies in building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and other equipment, and provide insights on how to optimize them. For example, BEMS can detect underutilized areas of a building and adjust heating and cooling systems accordingly, leading to improved energy efficiency.
3. Environmental Benefits: BEMS plays a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings, which is essential for achieving sustainability goals. By reducing energy consumption and emissions, BEMS help organizations meet regulatory requirements and environmental certifications, such as LEED, BREEAM, and Energy Star.
4. Better Comfort and Productivity: BEMS can also help improve occupant comfort and productivity by maintaining optimal indoor temperature and lighting levels. This leads to a better working environment and increased employee satisfaction and productivity.
5. Remote Monitoring and Control: With the advent of IoT and cloud-based technologies, BEMS can now be monitored and controlled remotely, enabling facility managers to manage and optimize building systems from anywhere. This allows for more flexibility and responsiveness in managing energy usage.

Components of building energy management systems

BEMS consist of various components that work together to collect and analyze data, control systems, and communicate with the building's various equipment and systems. Here are some of the essential components of a BEMS:

1. Sensors: These devices monitor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality, and provide real-time data to the BEMS.
2. Controllers: These devices are responsible for regulating and controlling the building's various systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and power.
3. Data Management Systems: These systems collect, store, and analyze data from the various sensors and controllers in the BEMS.
4. Visualization and Reporting: BEMS also provide real-time visualization and reporting of energy consumption, system performance, and other relevant data. This data helps building managers identify areas of inefficiency and take corrective action.
5. Integration: BEMS need to integrate with other building systems such as fire alarms, security systems, and elevators to ensure seamless operations.

Suggested read: How to Reduce Energy Costs and Improve Profits with Total Energy Management Approach

Key benefits of BEMS

BEMS not only help reduce energy consumption and costs but also improve operational efficiency and sustainability. Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits we haven't already discussed in this article:

• Improved occupant comfort: BEMS can monitor and control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and air quality.
• Enhanced equipment lifespan: By optimizing equipment usage and reducing wear and tear, BEMS can help extend the lifespan of assets.
• Compliance with regulations: BEMS can help buildings comply with energy efficiency and environmental regulations, such as LEED certification or the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in the European Union.
• Increased property value: Buildings with BEMS installed may have a higher market value, as energy-efficient features are becoming increasingly desirable to buyers and tenants.
• Improved financial performance: By reducing energy costs and optimizing building performance, BEMS improves operational cost savings and financial performance for building owners and managers.
• Reduced carbon footprint: BEMS can help buildings reduce their carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
• Increased visibility and control: With real-time data and analytics, BEMS can provide building owners and managers with greater visibility into their energy usage and control over their building systems.

Here's an example of how you can use BEMS to optimize HVAC systems in your building:

1. Adjusting temperature setpoints: BEMS can collect data on indoor and outdoor temperatures, as well as occupancy levels, to adjust temperature setpoints. For example, if a building is unoccupied during certain hours, the BEMS can automatically adjust the temperature setpoint to reduce energy consumption.
2. Scheduling equipment: BEMS can be used to schedule HVAC equipment to operate during specific hours when needed. The BEMS can turn off HVAC equipment during non-peak hours or when the building is unoccupied.
3. Identifying equipment malfunctions: BEMS can monitor the performance of HVAC equipment and detect any malfunctions or inefficiencies. By identifying and addressing these issues early on, the building owner can prevent larger, more expensive problems down the line.
4. Monitoring energy consumption: BEMS can collect data on energy consumption from HVAC systems and provide insights into the energy usage patterns of a building. This data can be used to identify opportunities for further energy savings, such as identifying inefficient equipment or scheduling maintenance.

Suggested read: Overcoming Barriers to Net Zero: How EMS Frameworks Can Help Your Business Achieve Sustainability

Common challenges of implementing BEMS

Here are some of the main challenges that organizations may face when implementing a BEMS:

1. Complexity: BEMS can be complex and require specialized design, installation, and operation knowledge. Organizations may need to invest in training and expertise to utilize the benefits of BEMS fully.
2. Data Management: BEMS generate a large amount of data that needs to be managed and analyzed. Organizations may need to invest in data management tools and expertise to maximize BEMS.
3. Integration: BEMS need to be integrated with existing building systems and infrastructure. This can be challenging, especially if the building systems are older or not designed to work with BEMS.

Navigating complex integration at every system/store/building level to derive data insights is arduous and impossible to scale. Further, the lack of visibility into insights traps potential energy savings in data silos at every level.

"The key to effective building energy management is data analytics. By leveraging advanced analytics, building managers can gain real-time insights into energy usage patterns and identify areas for improvement."

- Lisa Rennie, Director of Product Marketing at Johnson Controls

You need a cloud-supervisory platform that centralizes all energy usage data in real-time and in one place and allows you to deploy and control optimization strategies at a portfolio level.

Optimize BEMS at scale with a cloud-based supervisory platform

Facilio's Connected Buildings Solution provides a comprehensive solution for organizations seeking to reduce energy consumption and improve sustainability.

By leveraging real-time data analytics and advanced machine learning algorithms, the platform can quickly identify areas of energy waste and recommend optimized energy usage.

Here's a quick section to help you navigate the solution that matters most to you:

• Utility tracking & benchmarking
• Energy analytics & BI
• Fault detection & diagnostics solution
• Cloud-based energy optimization

Facilio's ability to monitor energy consumption across multiple locations remotely makes it an ideal solution for organizations with a diverse portfolio of buildings or facilities.

Centralized management allows organizations to prioritize energy efficiency initiatives and capitalize on energy-saving opportunities. One of the platform's greatest strengths is its automation capabilities, which streamline energy management tasks and increase efficiency.

It also helps you realize cost savings from energy initiatives in only weeks, not years. How, you ask?

With its remote control and command capabilities, you can deploy energy optimization strategies across systems and sites and switch strategies on/off as you need. This helps you understand what the most effective strategies are and scale with zero complexity.

What works in building A can be replicated for buildings B through Z - helping you realize the maximum value from your energy initiatives.

Neat, right?  

FAQs

How much can organizations save with BEMS?

BEMS can help organizations save up to 30% on energy costs, depending on the building type and energy usage patterns.

Can BEMS be retrofitted to older buildings?

Yes, BEMS can be retrofitted to older buildings, but the process can be challenging and may require specialized knowledge and expertise.

What type of organizations can benefit from BEMS?

Any organization that uses energy in buildings can benefit from BEMS, including commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, and government buildings.

How long does it take to see a return on investment for BEMS?

The return on investment for BEMS varies depending on the building type and energy usage patterns. However, most organizations can see a return on investment within 1-3 years.

Facilio's customers, however, recover their cost of investment in only a couple of weeks from deployment and start realizing greater energy savings compounded across sites in under 10 months.

How can organizations get started with BEMS?

Organizations can get started with BEMS by conducting an energy audit, identifying areas for improvement, and selecting a BEMS provider that meets their needs and budget.

How much does a building energy management system cost?

The cost of a building energy management system (BEMS) can vary depending on the size and complexity of the building, as well as the specific features and functions of the system.

According to a report by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the average cost of a BEMS installation for a commercial building ranges from $2.30 to $3.50 per square foot.

However, it's important to note that the cost of a BEMS should be viewed as an investment in energy efficiency and cost savings in the long term. By optimizing building systems and identifying areas for improvement, a BEMS can help reduce energy consumption and ultimately save on energy bills.

It's also worth considering any potential rebates or incentives offered by utilities or government programs that could help offset the initial cost of a BEMS installation.

What are the 4 components of energy management plan?

The four key components of an energy management plan are:

1. Energy Assessment: This involves identifying and quantifying energy consumption, determining where energy is being wasted, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
2. Goal Setting: This involves establishing energy reduction targets and identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress toward meeting these goals.
3. Implementation: This involves implementing energy-saving measures, such as upgrading equipment, implementing energy-efficient technologies, and improving operational practices.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: This involves tracking energy consumption and performance against established KPIs, identifying areas for improvement, and making adjustments to the energy management plan as needed to continue making progress toward established goals.