What are the emerging trends and technologies in BMS and energy conservation?

Sensors don't need to be smart. Installed in the correct places, they can provide your BMS and/or energy manager with valuable insights into what is going on in your building. Remember, while AI and analytics can improve what is already working, sufficient sensors can often point professionals to the root cause of what is not working well. Sensors are the eyes and ears of your building, no matter what sensor technology is used, getting more data out of the space, will help you get the most out of the building.

How these emerging technologies can help: Smart sensors provide accurate wireless data to BMS platforms for improved control. IoT integration allows for remote accessibility and increased energy efficiency. Energy analytics optimize operations in real-time through machine learning and AI. Demand response and load management balance the electrical grid and adjust energy consumption. Predictive maintenance reduces energy waste and extends equipment lifespan. Occupant engagement through IoT devices conserves energy actively. BMS platforms integrate renewable energy sources for sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

One way to get started is by installing on site renewable's. On site renewable's allow businesses to generate their own electricity and potentially achieve long-term cost savings, reducing reliance on grid-supplied power and minimizing vulnerability to energy price fluctuations and power outages. By storing distributed energy onsite with a battery energy storage system utilizing a microgrid, loads can be managed dynamically, leading to peak demand savings, load distribution optimization, and enhanced grid impact.

At Schneider we have gone through this journey ourselves with our own Technopole office building in Grenoble, France. The goal was to update the existing office building to meet sustainability targets and meet highest LEED certification status. Through Data-driven design and build via BIM modeling and energy simulation, we’re able to manage energy according to the occupancy of the premises, which become a source of savings when they are empty. This happens regularly because there is a lot of mobility on the site, employees’ time being divided between their office and the laboratories. As a result: - Save 92,000 euro in energy costs per year - Achieve hightest LEED cerificate in France - ROI of 4.3 years on renovation costs

While this is clearly the future, I urge caution with Predictive maintenance and digital twins. Predictive maintenance uses machine learning to look for the differences from a baseline to deliver a prediction of failure based on variation from that initial baseline. However, if that baseline is taken from already failing equipment, it may lead to disappointing results. Digital twins should help you simulate intended improvements or prompt you to investigate deviations from simulated running costs from actual running costs. While the concept is relatively new, not every manufacturer or Digital Twin provider will have available data for running costs for all the equipment you have, so treat the technology accordingly.

Business continuity and IT professionals are making cybersecurity for BMS systems and PLC programs a much higher priority than before. I've experienced more concern and attention in the last two years with particularly with respect to software upgrades and current vulnerabilities.

We are far behind the 8-ball on cybersecurity in the BMS/Controls sector. We may not have experienced major impacts yet, but they will come. When the bad actors figure out how best to monetize attacks on these systems, they could become lucrative targets.