With the rising costs of utilities and increasingly stringent Government regulations on energy, facilities managers need to overcome increasing challenges to ensure their buildings are managed efficiently and cost effectively. Schneider Electric's Building Systems and Solutions division shows how an intelligent building system can help achieve these goals:
However, building owners and managers are not only influenced by the need to comply with regulations. In addition, there is the need to reduce operating costs from a practical point of view. Evidence shows that operating costs typically amount to almost three times the capital required in acquiring the building. Moreover, these figures do not reflect increases in utility bills that are reported to be as much as 30%, or maintenance costs that can also be twice the capital build costs.
Becomes intuitive...
Investing in systems that will help organisations to comply with Government regulations can improve the energy efficiency and performance of buildings and help reduce operational costs. For example, traditionally maintenance roles have been reactive, but with intelligent building control systems in place, maintenance becomes intuitive and can be planned and scheduled. The advantage of this is that maintenance can be budgeted, rather than considered only when the need arises - a practice that often results in maintenance works being delayed or even ignored.
Through the intelligent integration of a building's services, it is possible for a single system to monitor gas, electricity, water, air and steam. All these utilities can be tracked, and monthly reports automatically generated, providing all the information required, whenever it is needed. The days of filling in missing data points because of network errors are over. Similarly, this data can be accessed via a web browser, allowing immediate access to diagnostics and remote device interrogation.
Indeed, the integration of building services also has benefits during the initial phases of a building's infrastructure. Not only can the management and control be regarded holistically, but also cable runs and shared networks can reduce installation costs. This requires commissioning management to address the control needs earlier than usual in the specification process, but the advantages of doing so are significant.
Control through the web:
Remote access to such detailed diagnostics allows the facilities manager to easily track and control all of a building's utilities. It is possible to preset lighting and heating controls via the web browser and to alter these settings should the need arise. For example, if someone is working overtime on a Sunday, the facilities manager can simply turn on the heating and the lighting from a laptop at home, or anywhere else in the world.
Through careful metering and recording of a building's utilities, reporting becomes easier. With all the information available via a web browser, it is no longer necessary to physically go to each meter and note the readings. Moreover, an intelligent metering system provides real time data that allows facilities managers to easily identify trends and to mitigate and diagnose problems effectively and efficiently.
With the ability to capture events and with greater access to diagnostics, it is simple to identify where, when, and more importantly, why an unusual reading occurred. For example, it is possible to determine whether a power quality problem lies with the utility supplier or within the building. Such a system could also determine whether suppliers have provided equipment that adheres to specified rates. Transients, which can damage electronic equipment, can be pinpointed and power quality issues highlighted. This is particularly important in factories, hospitals, data centres and so forth, where electrical disruptions can lead to unexpected financial loss and can even compromise safety. By effectively monitoring electrical and piped utilities, equipment life can be increased and trend information can be used for further cost saving advantages.
Easy implementation of energy saving policies:
It is equally possible to quickly identify areas where energy is being wasted and to implement effective energy saving policies that help buildings comply with regulations. Moreover, empirical studies of metering solutions show an average of 5% reductions in utility bills in a diverse range of buildings. But the financial rewards do not stop here. Savings in the region of 2-5% can be achieved by better equipment utilisation, and as much as 10% savings potential can be reached by improving systems reliability.
Over a building's lifetime, millions of pounds may be invested in equipment and the energy that runs it. An intelligent building system will greatly benefit facilities managers by helping them comply with regulations and giving them the flexibility and visibility needed to implement other energy and cost saving policies.