Building Energy Management Systems

Building Energy Management Systems

Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) have the ability to save energy and improve productivity by creating a comfortable working environment (savage 2009).

A flexible, easy-to-use, networked BEMS is an important tool for the implementation and monitoring of energy conservation measures. “Through its direct digital control capabilities, the BEMS provides occupants of a facility with a comfortable, precisely-controlled environment. The energy-saving opportunities available through a BEMS help address the needs for energy and environmental improvements (savage, 2009).

Building Energy Management Systems can sometimes be computer systems which is designed specifically for the automated control and monitoring of those electromechanical facilities in a building which yield significant energy consumption such as heating, ventilation and lighting installations. The scope may span from a single building to a group of buildings such as university campuses, office buildings. Most building energy management systems also provide facilities for the reading of electricity, gas and water meters. The data obtained from these can then be used to perform self-diagnostic and optimization routines on a frequent basis and to produce trend analysis and annual consumption forecasts (en.wikipedia.org).

Building Management Systems

A Building Management System (BMS) is a computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls and monitors the building’s mechanical and electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, fire systems, and security systems (en.wikipedia.org).

The basic functions of a BMS are:

• Controlling
• Monitoring
• Optimizing
• Reporting

Benefits of BMS include;

For Building tenant/occupants

• Good control of internal comfort conditions
• Possibility of individual room control
• Increased staff productivity
• Effective monitoring and targeting of energy consumption
• Improved plant reliability and life
• Effective response to HVAC-related complaints
• Save time and money during the maintenance

Building owner

• Higher rental value
• Flexibility on change of building use
• Individual tenant billing for services facilities manager
• Central or remote control and monitoring of building
• Increased level of comfort and time saving
• Remote Monitoring of the plants (such as AHU’s, Fire pumps, plumbing pumps, Electrical supply, STP, WTP etc.)”.