Benefits of installing a BEMS
A Building and Energy Management System (BEMS) is a Microprocessor Based Control and Monitoring system
for Building Services. It is typically consists of BEMS Controllers distributed throughout the site with a central
control and monitoring station, the Front End.
A correctly functioning BEMS will be a convenient tool for the operator and will ensure occupant comfort whilst
minimising energy usage and subsequent costs. Below are some of the features and benefits of a BEMS;
however this is just a brief insight into its capabilities.
- Plant Operating Times easily adjustable from central location. Improves time management of maintenance staff and increases likelihood of plant being turned off when not required, thus offering energy savings
- Optimum Start Programmes ensures that the BMS “Learns” on a daily basis the amount of time the HVAC systems take to reach temperature set points depending on outside temperature. Therefore, it can anticipate when to bring on plant ahead of the occupancy time in order to reach the desired conditions. This is also provides energy savings as the plant will not be running excessively to preheat the building for occupation
- Weather Compensation Routines. The temperature of the heating System will modulate as a function of outside temperature
- Occupancy and Demand Based Control can greatly reduce running costs
- By fine tuning temperature set points and heating loops the facilities manager can also provide further energy savings
- Utility usage is easily achievable through logging of meters on the BEMS. This will be the measuring stick for the BEMS
- Datalogs of temperature readings can be logged on the BMS PC and represented in graphical form. Building performance can be viewed from this and decisions can be made to reduce operating times/set points to reduce energy usage
- If any plant monitored by the BMS develops a fault, an alarm will be activated on the BMS PC. Also, critical alarms can be mailed to the facilities manager. This results in a reduced plant down time and minor faults can be rectified quickly without any discomfort being experienced by the buildings occupants
- A log of all plant alarms can is kept on the BMS PC. This can be used to establish time lines of faults occurring and provide useful information when diagnosing why faults occur and in what order they occurred
- Over time the facilities staff can decide to add further items to the BMS. BMS controllers are freely configurable so it can be adapted to control and monitor virtually anything: Additional temperature sensors can be added to monitor building performance, electrical/Gas/Water meters (with the appropriate equipment) can transfer information to the BMS, Lighting control, Serial communication with 3rd party systems, etc
- Wireless devices can be easily integrated into the BMS to allow easy addition of devices onto the BEMS in an existing Premises
- With Web based Software it is possible for operators to access the BMS via the Web. They will be able to adjust time schedules, change set points and view a list of alarms from a remote location. Access will be password protected