When we think about Building Energy Management Systems or BEMS for short, we tend to think about hardware installed within a building that measures and controls energy related equipment such as heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting. Building Energy Management is now integral to optimising how buildings operate.
But building energy management is now much more than that, with the advent of 5G and lower data and hardware costs, it is now possible and cost effective to both monitor and control beyond simple pieces of equipment.
Consideration should also be given to thinking beyond just energy and the possible inclusion of environmental data and even health and safety improvements are all now realistic, with next generation building energy management solutions.
Industrial internet of things or IIoT for short, sometimes just IoT is the next generation which provides an advanced new dynamic to building energy management.
The Industrial Internet of Things refers to interconnected sensors, instruments, data collectors and other devices that are all networked together. Although this data can be transferred into the cloud, with the addition of Edge Computing means running fewer processes in the cloud and moving those processes to on premise.
Layering AI Technology like a net over all and any data provides the most advanced approach to energy management available at a cost point that is far lower than traditional hard wired solutions.
Implementing effective Building Energy Management strategies can lead to substantial energy savings.
We combine RPA, IIoT and Artificial Intelligence to deliver the most advanced energy management solution available.
Edge AI Platform and Energy Management Solutions
Edge AI platform brings a groundbreaking dimension to IIoT and edge computingOur Edge AI platform brings a new and groundbreaking dimension to IIoT and edge computing by embedding AI as close to the source of streaming sensor data as possible.
With a highly compact solution it delivers unprecedented low latency for onsite data processing, real-time analytics, ML and AI capabilities.
It delivers the industry’s lowest total cost for computing requirements, communications services, and cloud processing and storage.
By introducing and layering Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the top of energy and building data it is possible to manage energy in ways that just a few years ago were not conceivable.
A comprehensive approach to Building Energy Management can also enhance sustainability within a business.
Combine existing data feeds from traditional BEM’s or add new data points to gather as much or as little as required and allow the machine learning capability to manage energy in new and exciting ways. The possibilities are endless when combined with additional non-energy data such as temperature points or foot-fall.
The ability to collect data on a scale never before imaginable has become reality with the implementation of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
And the incredible power of this technology will explode with the addition of 5G as the granular level of data will allow companies to capture thousands of snippets of data every second from every single data point.
Data isn’t limited to just sending as it can also receive instructions remotely and in real time, so we are not just talking about data collection, we are talking real time control also.
Building Energy Management - Reporting Solutions
Building Energy Management Metering and DataOur Building Energy Management solution is modular based and allows for the initial integration of your building level data supplied either from a smart meter or a half hourly meter. From this base level you can now start to look at where your energy is going beyond the meter and start to implement solutions to manage and control your energy costs and consumption levels. This includes devices that can capture remote data from source with multiple data streams captured from a single source.
Building Level Reporting
Starting with your building level data we can integrate real time statistics to enhance your reporting.
> Add additional energy management tools as you need them.
> Measure and control your servers and PC network.
> Add peripheral equipment such as printers, fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, vending machines
> Socket level requirements, no problem , we can give you reporting and control down to individual socket level, so you can include individual pieces of equipment, such as vending machines, machinery, equipment, fridges, chillers.
> Include internal or external lighting down to room level if required.
> Multilevel energy dashboards to assist with staff engagement or customer engagement.
> Enhanced real time energy reporting dashboards, ideal for use in reception areas.
> Display energy use in £, kWh or carbon.
> Display the real time true cost of your energy, and compare this against previous hours, days, weeks or months.
> Covers electricity, gas and water real time energy reporting.
Advanced building energy management control or smart meters are the next generation of metering.
Smart meters will bring about the end of estimated utility bills and meter readings, and provide customers and energy suppliers with accurate information on the amount of electricity and gas being used.
Smart energy meters will empower customers to make choices on how much energy they use. Suppliers will install two-way communication systems that display accurate real-time information on electricity use in the business, both to the consumer and back to the energy supplier.
We provide a range of building energy management smart devices, energy metering and data collection solutions, all aimed at putting you back in control of your energy consumption and ultimately energy costs.
Electricity supplies with a demand of less than 100kW are not obliged to have half hourly metering equipment installed and are known as non-half hourly (NHH) supplies.
The charges for these services are often recovered via the chosen electricity supplier’s bill. However, there is an active and extremely competitive market for smart electricity meter operation services, within the UK for both (NHH) and (HH).
Many building energy management customers, particularity those with multiple sites can achieve significant cost savings and service enhancements by sourcing a national agreement.
If you think smart energy metering will increase your costs, reconsider.
Smart energy metering has reduced in price significantly over the last twelve months and the difference between the cost of monthly manual reads and the cost of obtaining remote reads and online half-hourly data has narrowed dramatically.
According to the Carbon Trust, introducing smart meters can actually save you money.
Last year, they undertook smart energy metering trials and the results showed that smart energy meters, when combined with consumption data and energy-saving advice, gave potential average savings of 12% a year.
In addition, smart energy meters or smart electricity meters enable:
> Flexible electricity tariffs that measure consumption over set time periods
> Suppliers will be able to differentiate their tariffs and services through offering alternative means of displaying energy consumption, i.e. through mobiles, the internet or via digital TV
> Improved accuracy of forecasting energy demand at different times of the day
Energy Metering
Building Energy Management - Metering SolutionsEffective Building Energy Management can provide valuable insights into energy consumption patterns.
Having already established your typical daily and monthly energy consumption’s through our site level energy services highlighted in our reporting section. The next course of action is take a look at your building level energy reporting and how you can measure and control everything within your business.
This can help establish areas that you are wasting energy or help to put you back in control of how energy is used within the business.
In simple terms our site level reporting captures and measures all energy used up to the front door, and our building level reporting captures, measures and even controls energy within the building.
But the most significant thing about our site level energy reporting is that it is in real time and covers electricity, gas, water and any other form of energy that you would like to manage and control.
This is extremely powerful, as most if not all site level reporting through a standard half hour meter or smart meter is at best day plus one.
This is widely regarded as the industry standard and something the the regulator Ofgem endorses. but its not uncommon for companies to only have access to weekly or in some cases monthly data.
Fact Sheet
Project Managed Smart Meters
We provide a wide range of project managed smart meter solutions from site surveys, sub metering, water meters and standard smart meters.
We manage both the pre-install requirements, installation and then provide online data management solutions. Installation of your smart meters and related setup can be a rather lengthy and complex process.
However our simple building energy management solution means all you need to do is request the service for your own electricity supply, and we will manage the whole of the process for you, from installation booking, through to delivery and provision of your new smart meters.
Then once you are up and running we will even provide access to your own online account through our Catalyst Energy Advantage™ solution and with over 150 standard reports you can easily identify all areas of energy waste, which will help you manage your energy consumption more effectively.
In addition to this you won’t have any more estimated bills as we will also arrange for your meter readings to be sent directly to your energy supplier, even if your not one of our customers.
Smart Meter Key Benefits
> We support every type of electricity profile with our smart meters
> Fully managed service, we take care of everything for you
> No more estimated billing
> Online access to your supply data through the Catalyst Energy Advantage™
> Easily identify all areas of energy waste with over 150 standard reports
> Schedule automatic management and exception reports
> Find out the best and worst performing buildings in your organisation
> Charges are added to your current electricity contract
Fact Sheet
Mandatory Smart Meters
New license conditions for the supply of electricity and gas were introduced on April 6th 2009. These new conditions were an essential building block in the Government’s carbon reduction program for the UK. Under these changes, all Profile Class 05-08 electricity meters, and all metered gas consuming over 732,000 kWh a year, must be replaced by smart meters.
The new metering standards for all Profile Class 05-08 meters will be CoP10 for whole current and CoP5 for CT meters (Current Transformer Operated Meter).
Any smart meter installed as from the 1st January 2009 must comply with this new metering code of practice.
According to the then Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the new meters must ‘store measured electricity consumption data for multiple time periods; and at least half hourly’ and they must ‘provide remote access to such data by the licensee’. DECC also stated that ‘timely’ access to the data from the meter must be given to the customer and government guidance is that ‘timely’ should be day + one.
But, just because suppliers will now have to give you access to your smart meters data, it doesn’t mean they should let you have it for free.
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is advising the public sector not to sign up to a supplier contract where metering is conditional on the agreement.
They believe this ‘limits competition and the ability to negotiate energy contracts in the future’.
Continuity of data is fundamental to achieving carbon savings. So, the best route is to go appoint an independent provider of metering and data services such as Catalyst. This will allow you to change supplier without being bound by any metering and data service, and without losing any of your meter data during the supplier change over.
The Government believes proprietary metering systems are not good for market choice. Therefore, DECC are calling for open systems, so that any data collector can collect from any metering system, just like in the half hourly market.
The benefit of having open systems is that it will greatly improve consumer choice. Mandatory smart metering affected around 170,000 electricity meters and 40,000 gas meters in the UK.
If this included your organisation, then it’s in your interest to switch to smart metering sooner rather than later, because the half hourly meter data you will have access to will enable you to see exactly where and when energy waste is occurring.
It’s only when you have this detailed information that you can start to introduce effective measures to eliminate waste, reduce carbon emissions and improve your companies carbon footprint.
Currently, there are 110,000 meters in the half hourly market.
The requirement for mandatory smart metering in electricity Profile Classes 5-8 and annual gas usage of 732,000 kWh or over means a tripling in the number of half hourly meters by 2014. Any organisation which has introduced half hourly metering and which uses more than 6,000 megawatt hours a year (or around £1/2m at today’s prices) will now be caught in the net of the Carbon Reporting.
Business Gas Smart Meters & Gas Consumption Data Management
The problem with traditional gas meters only provide a range of estimated meter readings over a given period of time, and allow for no visibility in gas consumption use or the ability to compare gas usage over a given parameter or time frame. In addition to this you have to rely on the supplier correctly invoicing you for the consumption that they think you have used, with no way of validating this request.
In addition to these standard building energy management problems, if you want to capture your gas consumption into a visible consumption report, and then cross check this against a series of different metrics, you may face some if not all of the following problems.
Initially before you can begin capturing any building energy management data from your meter, you need to ensure that your meter has a pulsed output facility, and that it is activated. In some cases it may be necessary to replace your meter entirely, to ensure this capability. In some cases you may have to absorb the cost of this exchange or you may be fortunate to have your meter replaced under the guaranteed pulsed output scheme. Once your meter is pulsed output enabled then a logging device can be attached to begin capturing your consumption data.
This data if the supplier is in a position to accept it (as currently not all suppliers are ready to receive this direct data) can be used to ensure that you are only billed for what you have used.
The final problem with building energy management is the location of your meter, as the most common form of data transfer is using GSM mobile technology; however as we all know, this isn’t always practical depending on the location of the meter. So you may have to look at radio packet data transfer or even a physical phone line to ensure your data is transmitted correctly.
Our Gas Smart Meter Solutions
We provide an independent building energy management approach to gas smart meters, buy combining a range of products and services from different providers to deliver a final solution that fits your requirements.
> Confirmation that your meter has a pulsed output
> Confirmation that your meters pulsed output facility is activated
> Advice and recommendation for meter exchanges
> Advice on the right type of meter, and solution for your location
> Online data provision and compressive suite of reports
Smart Meters For Water
We can do this with Smart Water Meters, Data logging and Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) also known as Smart Metering are effective water management tools. Data loggers are deployed to monitor water consumption and provide remote water meter reading at strategic points on site.
The information from the smart water meter is fed back into our web based reporting service so that leaks & other unusual water consumption can be immediately identified.
Benefits of Smart Water Meters
> Return on Investment typically less than 12-months
> Billing on actual meter readings, reducing water charges
> Rapid rectification of water leaks
> Successful Monitoring and Targeting Program reduces water consumption
> Measure site against site
> Control cost and manage future budgets
Detailed analysis of water usage can be broken down by building, department, tenant, equipment or shift. Automatic Meter Reading determines usage over time, identifies peaks, compares sites and correlates use with the offending equipment or personnel. It provides leak monitoring and helps leak detection and prevention.
Online Water Bill Monitoring and Targeting
Information gathered from AMR needs to be used effectively if it is to become a successful component of a comprehensive water monitoring and targeting program. Our web based reporting system reports:
> Entire property portfolio bench-marked for water consumption
> Web access to water smart meters consumption figures
> Flow rate comparisons and analysis
> Immediate SMS and email alerts when consumption exceeds expectation
> Ability to evaluate the effectiveness on environmental projects
Smart Meters for Building Energy Management
We can arrange for smart meters for NHH electricity, gas and water. In addition to this we can provide monthly data reports or online account access. Simply complete this form or speak to our energy team and we will arrange to send you a formal contract for signature, along with the terms and conditions. If you need any additional information or would like a formal quote for your smart meters, please contact us. Another area we can assist in is business power gas meters showing business gas total consumption and volume information. Some direct power company smart meters offer this facility, however obtaining your consumption data can be a difficult and tricky business.
Energy Dashboards
By prioritising Building Energy Management, businesses can significantly reduce wastage.
The third and final element to our modular based energy management solution is the ability to provide your business with energy dashboards. So where ever you decide to capture your energy consumption from, such as just the companies computers or a vending machine.
> You are able to view from a huge library of reports all designed to help you administer energy management and help lower your carbon emissions.
> Easily set up multi user access and report by different levels in the organisation from site, cost centre, department and users.
> Set your own energy targets to measure performance and include a set of energy alerts for both over and under consumption to measure leaks, overloads, potential failures or power outages.
> Real time reports to include your energy data in carbon, power and cost.
> Automate your energy reports to simplify your reporting process.
> Our energy dashboard software is also versatile.
Reception Energy Dashboards
Engage staff and customers further into your efforts to manage and control your business environmental impact with an energy dashboard. Designed to be displayed in foyers and receptions areas or through any web browser throughout your business.
> Real-time dashboards that present energy data in an easy to understand format for your staff, customers and stakeholders.
> The dashboard presents multiple level views on energy use from the main utility meter down to individual users and equipment.
> Divide areas of your business in to various cost centers.
> Identify energy champions who are responsible for there own cost centers.
Real-time Energy Dashboards
Our energy dashboard solutions display your on site energy consumption in real time, and allow you to build your own reports based on your required criteria. Micro focus your efforts on individual pieces of hardware or equipment to truly identify your key business operating costs. An energy dashboard is an essential tool in controlling and managing your energy cost and lower your businesses carbon emissions.
Utilising Building Energy Management tools can streamline energy procurement processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Building Energy Management System (BEMS)?
A Building Energy Management System (BEMS) is an intelligent control system that monitors and manages a building energy systems including HVAC, lighting, and hot water. It uses sensors, controllers, and software to optimise energy use automatically, typically reducing energy consumption by 15-30%.
How much can a BEMS reduce my energy costs?
A properly configured BEMS typically reduces energy costs by 15-30%, with some buildings achieving up to 40% savings. Returns depend on the building type, existing controls, and occupancy patterns. Most BEMS installations achieve full payback within 2-4 years, making them one of the highest-ROI energy investments available.
Which buildings benefit most from a BEMS?
BEMS deliver the greatest returns in buildings over 1,000 square metres with significant heating, cooling, or ventilation loads - including offices, hotels, hospitals, schools, retail units, and manufacturing facilities. Any site where energy systems currently run on fixed timers or manual controls is a strong candidate.
Can a BEMS integrate with my existing building systems?
Modern BEMS use open protocols such as BACnet, Modbus, and KNX and can integrate with most existing building systems including boilers, chillers, air handling units, lighting controls, and sub-meters. A site survey identifies compatibility and the optimal integration approach before any works begin.