Schneider Electric provides Energy Management Advice for commercial buildings.

In commerce, it is estimated that as much as 90% of all building controls currently in use are deficient when it comes to energy efficiency. Energy audits by qualified experts from Schneider Electric, are readily available undertake auditing.

For most commercial and industrial consumers there is a lack of understanding of how power is used, coupled with general ignorance of what technologies are available to manage and save energy. One important area is to understand how energy consumption can be reduced by using electrical control technology and Building Management Systems (BMS).

Three key areas

Apart from building management systems, there are also advanced heating, ventilating and air conditioning controllers, boiler controls and even lift drive systems that can all contribute to maximising efficiency.

There are three areas to be addressed in commercial energy use being:

– The planning of energy efficient buildings and systems in new developments

– The refurbishment of existing buildings and systems to make them more energy efficient

– The use of buildings; and the energy saving regimes of the owners, tenants or occupiers

New buildings

There is evidence that new projects are being designed with energy efficiency in mind. Some of this comes from the initiatives of architects, building services engineers and building owners. To an increasing extent, particularly where large corporations are likely to take tenancy of the building, there is a requirement from the occupiers – who want to exercise corporate governance over environmental issues.

Building refurbishment

In building refurbishment there is the challenge of communicating what is possible. Much attention is usually applied to glazing and insulation in such projects, but energy control and management must also rank high on the agenda if the modernised building is to satisfy its potential for energy efficiency. The retrofitting of electrical and building management systems is easily implemented during refurbishment projects, but the stakeholders, such as building services engineers and facilities managers, need to understand what can be done.

Occupiers

Occupiers of buildings often believe they have little or no control over the infrastructure of that building. Yet, there are some simple steps that can be taken to understand their energy consumption and take steps to reduce usage. One factor that appears to be a general impediment is the lack of understanding as to where energy is used and when. Here, simple metering can provide a wealth of data that can bring about easy changes and huge energy reductions. Heating, ventilating and lighting unoccupied areas is very common. Uncontrolled external lighting and lighting internal spaces even when there is adequate daylight are also frequently encountered.

Once identified, excessive or unnecessary energy use is easily alleviated by simple controls or a more disciplined behaviour among the occupants of the building. Again, this is an area requiring a change in the hearts and minds of those in charge of businesses.

Schneider Electric offers a complete solution, from an initial energy survey to assess energy efficiency at your site, and through to a project management service. The UK’s nationwide contact line is 0870 608 8 608

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