Understanding the barriers to energy management in intelligent buildings and how to overcome them can assist stakeholders in developing more effective methods for energy reduction.
Fremont, CA: In the future, intelligent building energy management systems will likely attempt to boost energy cost savings, energy supply stability, human health and safety, and power generating flexibility. On a large scale, this means that building energy management systems will likely control sections of cities via microgrids that incorporate renewable energy generated on-site or nearby and energy-efficient materials. Not all energy management, however, will take place on this scale. Rather than that, lowering energy use will need the implementation of smart technology and techniques in specific buildings.
However, there are some challenges in managing energy in intelligent buildings, such as:
EMSs must provide a particular comfort level to building residents, as everyone has a distinct definition of what constitutes a comfortable environment. Creating a comfortable environment and boosting energy efficiency are frequently viewed as mutually exclusive goals, particularly in commercial high-rise structures. However, with the correct EMS, building operators can apply techniques that enable them to meet both objectives concurrently.
Intelligent building management systems are useful for determining which systems and equipment require preventative maintenance. Without service contracts in place to address minor but necessary repairs, these issues can potentially escalate into much larger ones. Certain EMS providers provide their own service contracts that are integrated directly into their software, allowing you to submit work requests and follow resolutions from the same BMS you use every day.
Conflicting interests between building owners and tenants, or even between different tenants, can exacerbate the difficulty of managing energy. Generally, those responsible for electricity bills would favor energy-efficient solutions that reduce costs, whereas occupier businesses will prioritize staff and client comfort. The visibility provided by a comprehensive building management system with solid energy management capabilities enables organizations to more efficiently manage these competing priorities and even work toward making everyone happy at the same time.
