What does automated building monitoring and control have to do with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Building Energy Act?
When the EPBD was introduced in 2002, it aimed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings across the EU as part of the wider plan to reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels. Today, as part of the EU Green Deal and the ‘Fit for 55’ package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, we face major challenges. ⏳
Time is running out. As traditional energy refurbishments alone are too expensive, take too long and only pay off after years, the key to maintaining the value of properties lies in operational efficiency. However, modern building management systems are only found in newer buildings. In fact, 95% of all buildings first need to be prepared for technologies such as AI in order to predict energy consumption and anomalies and enable predictive maintenance.
Meanwhile, according to Section 71a of the German Building Energy Act, all existing non-residential buildings with a heating or air conditioning system with a rated output of more than 290 kW must be equipped with energy monitoring technology that provides data via a common and freely configurable interface to an energy management system by the end of 2024. A ‘building automation and control system’ must also be introduced.
The solution? Smart buildings.
IoT-based networks can be implemented in existing properties without existing building management systems so that data from sensors throughout the building can be collected and stored in the cloud to make fact-based decisions in real time.
With the Remote Operational Control System (ROCS) from workcloud24, we have demonstrably achieved impressive savings:
- Shopping centres: 49 % less energy consumption
- Offices: 39 % savings
- Schools: 39 % reduction
- Hotels: 25 % savings
With such a system, we monitor systems such as heating, ventilation, cooling, lighting, lifts, security and energy consumption in real time and enable automated troubleshooting. In this way, we improve performance, reduce costs and minimise the carbon footprint.
The configuration of the system is determined depending on the application in accordance with DIN V 18599 Part 11, whereby individual requirements in accordance with DIN EN 15232 ‘Energy efficiency of buildings’ may only be omitted if ‘the planner can adequately justify that the use of a function in a particular case does not bring any benefit.’
In this respect, although the national regulations provide clear requirements for technical equipment and automation, they leave room for interpretation.
Irrespective of this, a remote monitoring and control system is an indispensable tool for modern property management.
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