Things To Remember While Implementing An EMS

Modern industry requires an uninterrupted supply of energy at a reasonable price. The rising energy consumption in facilities is a concern that needs to be tackled with expertise. Establishing energy efficiency is not just crucial for the environment but also for sustainable production in manufacturing companies. This is the point where effective energy management plays a crucial role.

A well-designed and well-implemented EMS acknowledges the role of energy as a vital business input. It sets up durable processes to monitor and achieve best practices for the optimal use of energy resources. Many users still don’t find the application of energy management systems necessary. This mindset needs to change if the aim is to achieve a sustainable and environment-friendly future.

Why is there a need to implement an energy management system (EMS) in facilities?

Energy savings is becoming paramount for future organizations worldwide. It is the reason why EMS is gaining popularity with time. Especially in large and more complex buildings, the integration of system operations with a single building energy management system offers greater control and improves energy savings by a significant percentage. As a result, building managers get real-time control of the building operations and monitor a wide range of connected systems, environmental conditions, energy consumption, and much more!

An efficient energy management system can save around 10-30% of energy in buildings without compromising on occupants’ safety and comfort. It collects and analyzes all this data to deliver a more comfortable and energy-friendly environment in the building. If there is any malfunction in equipment, it triggers alarms that allow for predictive maintenance to occur. Modern EMS drives automation that is important for optimizing day-to-day building operations.

Implementation of EMS in facilities not just helps the users to achieve their savings goals but also ensures sustainable and long-term energy efficiency goals. With this advanced technology, building managers can also ensure:

• Low carbon footprint
• Climate neutrality in their facilities
• Operational efficiency
• Increased productivity
• More added-value services

EMS can be implemented at different levels of an organization, depending on the size and structure.

How to implement an energy management system in the building?

EMS needs to be continually assessed and fine-tuned with building performance. It means replacing batteries with sensors, checking connections, checking the operation of valves, upgrading software, and much more. It centralizes and analyzes the energy-related data that allow building managers to make informed decisions about immediate and future energy-saving possibilities. But before managers go ahead with implementing EMS, there are certain things that they need to keep in mind:

1. Availability of submetering systems in buildings

It’s important to analyze whether buildings have energy submetering systems or not. These digital meters allow EMS to understand the consumption profile of installations and buildings, leading to successful prediction of future energy consumption. At the same time, they also deliver information for real-time energy analysis for timely detection of anomalies and costly equipment failures.

If the digital meters are not installed in the building, first install new submetering systems before implementing an energy management system.

2. Align the scope with existing business processes

Every building is unique. It’s vital to align the EMS with existing business priorities and systems. The focus should be on making continuous improvement efforts.

The EMS must ensure compliance with legal and contractual building energy requirements. Also, it should be adapted to integrate with existing compliance systems. Building energy performance should be incorporated with the organization’s design and procurement practices for allocating new products, facilities, equipment, and processes.

Time frame is another vital consideration in the implementation of EMS. It can range in the short, medium, or long term. Make sure EMS is implemented at the right time for proper resource allocation and optimum energy utilization.

3. Analyze the budget

Implementing a well-designed building management system demands a considerable amount of investment. Considering the budget constraints decides the final choice of an EMS.

The energy demand of every building will differ. Before choosing an EMS, it’s vital to analyze the everyday energy demands of the building. Though it seems to be a tedious task, it will be worth it in the end when the implemented energy management system delivers successful results.

The investment in EMS turns out to be profitable as it delivers high ROI in energy efficiency as compared to the cost incurred on it.

4. Establish consistency in energy management

Like any other business management system, continuity and consistency are vital to implementing EMS successfully. It includes consistent application of action plans, consistent monitoring of energy use and efficiency, evaluation of project performance, and planning for future energy assessments.

A systematic method needs to be established to gather and store all information related to EMS. It should ensure accountability and transparency and allow for future evaluation and review. After the implementation of EMS, it should be reviewed on a regular basis to improve its performance with time.

Want to implement an Energy Management System? Connect with Zenatix!

Now you know what to consider before implementing EMS, you can make an informed decision. If you are still unclear about which EMS is ideal for your building, Zenatix is here to help you out! Our advanced IoT solutions will help you implement the right EMS so you can spend your time generating leads instead of running behind the service person to fix the everyday building problems.