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Advanced energy management integrates smart grid analytics, demand response, and SCADA/IoT sensors to optimize loads, enable peak shaving, enhance power quality, and coordinate renewables, storage, and microgrids for efficient, resilient electrical systems.

How Advanced Energy Management Works

Advanced energy management systems involve control systems and processes. Control systems can be as simple as a residential thermostat, to very complex computer controlled systems for multiple buildings, to industrial process control. Their diligence and repeatability can also serve to maintain the savings of project improvements for years, further justifying their existence by providing economic return to the customer. Advanced energy management systems include control technology and control mode categories, basic input and output instrumentation, and the practical need to temper “things possible” with the skill level of the operators who will inherit it. The importance of advanced energy management system controllability and user-friendliness as primary design parameters will be stressed. Industry overviews of energy management systems highlight common architectures and integration paths useful during early design.

The following is a very important first statement before any discussion about control hardware: “The type of advanced energy management systems hardware used in optimization is less important than the understanding of the process and of the control concepts that are to be implemented.” The main goal should be to become clear about the process fundamentals and what should happen—then the parts and pieces are just details. This discussion of different available hardware types is a familiar but sometimes laborious and dull part of any controls text. Remember that automatic controls are really nothing more than machines that do for us what we would do ourselves if we had nothing better to do; they do work for us like any other tool, and they are only as clever as the people who craft them. As a complement, primers on energy management controls summarize control modes and device families that support these concepts.

The field of automatic control in advanced energy management systems is similar in that we continually adjust some device to cause a particular measured variable to remain at a desired state. In facilities practice, deploying a building automation system provides the supervisory layer that implements such setpoint maintenance and scheduling.

Examples:

• The need to throttle heating and cooling equipment sized for maximum load that is effectively over-sized at part load conditions. Within building energy management systems these strategies are automated through reset logic and variable speed control for stable part-load operation.

• Varying occupancy, and systems attendant to the occupants (lighting, ventilation). Guides on energy management emphasize occupancy-based control sequences that tie lighting and ventilation to real-time demand.

• Varying product throughput rate through manufacturing facilities. Establishing an enterprise energy management program helps align throughput-driven process controls with measurable performance targets.

• Varying demands, and the need to maintain level or full state for water or fuel reservoirs, feed or coal bins, etc.

• Coordination: Organizing or sequencing multiple processes in a logical and efficient manner is an important aspect of automatic control applications.

• Automation: Human beings can make very good manual controllers because we can think on our feet and consider many variables together, but most control tasks are repetitive and suitable for mechanization. Introductory references explaining what building automation is clarify how routine tasks are delegated to algorithms while operators focus on exceptions.

Automatic operation allows people to provide oversight of advanced energy management system operations and more effectively utilize their time.

• Consistency: Manual control by people can be effective, although we are not all that repeatable and are sometimes forgetful. Using machinery for automatic control adds the improvement of consistent, repeatable operations. The repeatability and consistency feature of automatic control is very important in manufacturing.

• Conservation: Supplemental enhancement control routines can be incorporated to reduce energy use while still maintaining good control. It is important to note that control systems do not necessarily reduce energy consumption unless specifically applied and designed for that purpose.

Advanced energy management automatic controls are useful for basic regulation and quality control of processes and environments. They can also be leveraged for energy savings through optimization. Properly applied, these energy management systems are reliable and cost effective.

From: Energy Management Handbook, 7th Edition, The Fairmont Press

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Building Automation System Fundamentals

In an era of rapidly evolving technology, smart buildings have become crucial to modern infrastructure. With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), facility managers are increasingly adopting advanced systems to monitor and control various parts of a building's performance. One such solution is the Building Automation System (BAS), which focuses on improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort and reducing maintenance costs. For an overview of foundational concepts, resources like what is building automation can help contextualize these systems for stakeholders.

The primary purpose of a building automation system is to streamline the operation and management of a building's critical subsystems, such as Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security, and energy management. In addition, a centralized control platform enables facility managers to optimize resource utilization and respond to changing conditions more effectively. To understand device-level orchestration, guidance on energy management controls clarifies how setpoints and schedules are coordinated across platforms.

A typical BAS comprises three main components: input, controller, and output. Input devices like sensors to measure environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, and light levels. Controllers process this information and use pre-defined algorithms to determine the best action. Output devices, including actuators and relays, then implement these decisions by adjusting various systems, such as modifying the temperature in an HVAC system.

In practice, the data path often feeds into building energy management systems that aggregate trends for analytics and reporting.

There are numerous benefits to implementing a building automation system. First and foremost, it can significantly improve energy efficiency. By monitoring and controlling various systems, including HVAC, lighting, and energy management, a building automation system can ensure that resources are only used when necessary, leading to substantial cost savings. Moreover, intelligent building control system algorithms can identify inefficiencies and take corrective action, enhancing overall performance. When paired with disciplined energy management practices, these optimizations translate directly into measurable Key Performance Indicators.

In addition to improving energy efficiency, a BAS also enhances occupant comfort. By monitoring environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and air quality, the system can always maintain optimal conditions for occupants. Furthermore, many systems allow users to customize their preferences via a user interface, empowering them to create a comfortable environment suited to their needs. Organizations that formalize a energy management program often align comfort objectives with operational targets more consistently.

Another significant advantage of a BAS is its ability to integrate with IoT devices. As the IoT ecosystem expands, more devices and sensors are being developed, providing valuable data for building management. By incorporating this information into the building automation system, facility managers can gain deeper insights into building performance and make more informed decisions. This increasingly connected architecture enables advanced energy management workflows that leverage predictive models and fault detection for continuous improvement.

A wide range of building automation control systems is available on the market, catering to different needs and budgets. These include Energy Management Systems (EMS), which focus specifically on monitoring and controlling energy usage, and Building Management Systems (BMS), which offer a more comprehensive integration of various subsystems. In addition, some solutions provide systems integration capabilities, enabling facility managers to combine multiple systems under a user interface. Choosing among various energy management systems requires assessing scalability, interoperability, and cybersecurity posture for long-term success.

As technology continues to evolve, so will the capabilities of building automation systems. From advanced HVAC control to robust security systems and energy management solutions, a building automation system can potentially transform how buildings are managed and maintained. By implementing these systems, facility managers can achieve significant cost savings, improve occupant comfort, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

A building automation system is essential for modern facility management. They provide centralized control over various subsystems, improving energy savings and efficiency, occupant comfort, and reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, as the IoT ecosystem expands, these systems are set to become even more powerful, offering deeper insights and more advanced control over building performance. So whether you are a facility manager looking to optimize your existing infrastructure or an architect designing the next generation of smart buildings, embracing the potential of building automation systems will undoubtedly lead to a more efficient and sustainable future.

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Understanding the Role of Energy Management Controls in Power Systems

Energy management controls are conservation tools implemented to control heating, energy consumption, lighting systems, heathing ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Modern Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems, which can accurately control building systems, have become very cost-effective in recent years. As a result, they are replacing traditional manual and electromechanical building control systems in retrofitted buildings and being installed in almost all new commercial and institutional facilities. However, maximizing energy efficiency requires strategic facility management control methods for controlling the HVAC, power and communications systems. For a deeper look at modern strategies, the overview at advanced energy management explains integration trends across HVAC and lighting.

Regardless of the technology used, deciding which energy management control mode to apply is important. It is important to understand that these modes can be implemented using many available technology types. In many cases, simple on-off control is adequate and very appropriate. In other cases, the desired effect can be on with modulating controllers. The following are basic control modes. The accompanying diagrams will illustrate typical system performance. Practical frameworks for selecting modes are discussed in energy management systems resources available to facility teams.

The term system capacitance refers to the rate of response of a system to a stimulus. Systems with a large capacitance tend to resist change, and the effects of control are felt more slowly than with systems of smaller capacitance. Comparing the effect to a flywheel or relative mass is a good way to describe this concept. Another useful example to illustrate system capacitance is an instantaneous electric water heater (small volume of water) compared to a standard residential tank-type water heater. Upon energizing the heater elements, the water temperature in the tank unit changes much more slowly because it has more mass, and we say it has greater system capacitance. Understanding capacitance helps in tuning building energy management systems for stability under variable loads.

The term gain is a control term synonymous with sensitivity and is usually an adjustable amplification value used to tune the devices. For example, if a quicker response is desired for a small input change, the gain is increased in a stronger output reaction from the controller. These parameters are typically adjusted within a centralized building automation system interface to synchronize responses across equipment.

On-off Energy Management Controls

Also called two-position control, this rudimentary mode is used with either on or off equipment. A nominal setpoint exists but is only achieved in passing. A range of control values must be tolerated to avoid short-cycling the equipment, and temperature ranges are often fairly wide. In the case of equipment that cannot be modulated, this is often the only choice. The smoothness of control depends strongly upon the system capacitance; systems with very low capacitance can experience short cycling problems using two-position control. In practice, on-off strategies often reflect principles introduced in what is building automation guidance that relates simple control to overall system behavior.

Floating Energy Management Controls

This hybrid combination of on-off and modulating control is also called incremental control. As with on-off control, there is a control range (cut-in/cut out). However, unlike on-off control, floating control systems can maintain a mid-position of the controlled device instead of being limited to full-on or full-off. The controlled device holds its last position between the cut-in and cut-out thresholds. The process variable is not under control within this range, and it floats with the load until it crosses a threshold to get another incremental nudge in the correcting direction. This control is tighter than simple on-off control, and although tight than true modulating control, it is inexpensive and reliable. Equipment items from small HVAC terminal units to 1000 HP water chiller inlet vanes are controlled in this manner with good success. Note that floating control is limited to processes that change slowly, and floating control actuators are usually selected as slow-moving. Selecting floating control as part of a broader energy management approach can reduce wear while maintaining comfort within acceptable bands.

Proportional-only Control (P)

This is the basic modulating control and what most commercial pneumatic and analog electronic systems utilize. It is an error-sensing device with an adjustable gain or amplification. A control output is issued to regulate a process, and the magnitude of the output is directly proportional to the size of the error. This type of control is economical and reliable. However, a characteristic offset (residual error) is natural with this type of controller, and the size of the offset will increase with load. This offset occurs because an error must increase (further off setpoint) before an output increase can occur.

If the proportional energy management controls are too sensitive (gain set too high), the controller’s response will be excessive, and oscillation or hunting will occur. When this occurs, the controller output (and the equipment connected) will oscillate up and down, open and closed, etc., and the control action will not settle out. Training and commissioning within an organized energy management program help operators set appropriate gains and avoid persistent hunting.

Conclusion

Automatic energy management controls are useful for basic regulation and quality control of processes and environments. They can also be leveraged for energy savings through optimization. Properly applied, these systems are reliable and cost-effective. Returning to the chapter's intent, the stated purpose of this chapter was to focus on the application of automatic system controllers as a tool to achieve energy savings. The reader should review the titles of each section, reflect on the key topics taken away, and decide if the stated objective was met. It is hoped that the reader has gained insight into how automatic energy management controls can help achieve energy goals. Therefore, they will endeavour to put these systems to work, optimizing processes and saving energy.

From: Energy Management Handbook, 7th Edition, The Fairmont Press

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Energy Management Program optimizes electrical loads via SCADA, submetering, and analytics, driving energy efficiency, demand response, peak shaving, load forecasting, and power factor correction to reduce kWh, cut OPEX, and improve power quality and reliability.

Energy Management Program Fundamentals

An energy management program is increasingly important in industrial, commercial, and institutional power systems due to growing concerns about energy efficiency, costs, and environmental impact. Implementing an effective energy management program (EMP) can help businesses save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and achieve sustainability goals. This article will delve into the key components of an energy management program and discuss how it can benefit businesses in various sectors. To understand the broader scope of best practices, resources on energy management provide context for implementation across sectors.

An effective EMP typically includes energy efficiency measures, energy audits, energy conservation strategies, building automation, energy monitoring, demand response initiatives, sustainable energy policies, and the implementation of EM systems. Facility management plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of such programs. For teams new to these concepts, a concise primer on what is building automation can help align terminology and roles.

One of the primary goals of an energy management program is to increase energy efficiency. This can be achieved by identifying areas where energy is wasted and implementing measures to reduce energy consumption. For instance, energy-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems can significantly reduce energy usage in commercial and institutional buildings. Incorporating energy management controls enables precise scheduling and setpoint optimization for measurable savings.

Energy audits are a vital component of an EMP, as they help identify areas of energy waste and provide recommendations for improving energy efficiency. These audits involve a thorough assessment of a facility's energy consumption patterns and equipment performance, which can lead to the implementation of cost-effective energy-saving measures. Audit findings are often operationalized through energy management systems that track KPIs and verify results.

Energy conservation strategies are another crucial aspect of an energy management program. These strategies aim to minimize energy consumption without compromising operational efficiency. Examples of energy conservation measures include optimizing equipment performance, implementing energy-saving operational procedures, and promoting energy-conscious behavior among employees. Modern analytics and automation in advanced energy management support continuous improvement in conservation programs.

Building automation systems play a significant role in energy management programs by allowing for the centralized control and monitoring of various building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and security. These systems can help optimize energy usage by automatically adjusting settings based on factors like occupancy, time of day, and weather conditions. Selecting an open-protocol building automation system improves interoperability with meters and sub-systems for broader control.

Energy monitoring is essential for tracking the effectiveness of an energy management program. By continuously measuring and analyzing energy consumption data, businesses can identify trends, pinpoint inefficiencies, and implement corrective measures to optimize energy use further. Many organizations centralize this function within building energy management systems to visualize trends and trigger alerts.

Demand response initiatives can help businesses in industrial, commercial, and institutional power systems participate in energy markets by adjusting their energy consumption in response to market signals, such as electricity price fluctuations or grid reliability issues. This can help businesses reduce energy costs and support grid stability.

Sustainable energy policies guide businesses in adopting cleaner energy sources and reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, such as oil and gas. Examples of sustainable energy sources include solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Integrating these sources into a facility's energy mix can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote long-term sustainability.

EM systems support energy management programs by providing a platform for monitoring, controlling, and optimizing energy usage across a facility. These systems can help businesses identify opportunities for energy savings, improve equipment performance, and reduce energy costs.

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Industrial Automation Communication Explained: What You Need to Know

In the early 20th century, process control systems and the manufacturing systems were designed based primarily on the mechanical technology and with analog devices. After the period, the pneumatic control technology and the hydraulic power were introduced. The pneumatic control technology made it possible to control remote systems by a centralized control system. These technologies are still very common.

At the beginning of 1960, a digital computer was for the first time really applied as a digital controller. The term direct digital control (DDC) was used to emphasize that the computer directly controls the process. In the 1960s, the application of a minicomputer was still a fairly expensive solution for many control problems. In the meantime, programmable logic controller (PLC) was developed and it replaced the conventional, relay-based controller, having relatively limited control functions. In addition, many technologies were developed for machine tools and discrete production processes. The numerically controlled (NC) machine tool became to be controlled by computers and the robot was developed in this period.

With the more widespread use of digital computers and the associated technologies, industrial communication networks became to be developed with or converted to digital transmission. Proprietary digital communication networks for industrial use started in the 1960s as computers for automation systems were first linked together.

In mid 70s, the first distributed computer control system (DCCS) was announced by Honeywell as a hierarchical control system with a large number of microprocessors. Since its introduction in mid 1970s, the concept of the DCCS spread widely in many industrial automation systems such as power plant control systems, manufacturing systems, etc. The installation of distributed control systems in the newly planned plants or replacement of existing analogue or centralized control systems is presently a common decision of enterprise management. In sectors like power generation, advanced energy management strategies leverage DCS data to optimize load balancing and maintenance planning across units.

The use of local area networks to interconnect computers and automation devices within an industrial automation system has become popular since 1980. The high capacity low cost communication offered by local area networks has made distributed computing a reality, and many automation services. The 

As deployments expanded, many organizations realized that the benefits of industrial networks include lower downtime, scalable integration, and improved data visibility across operations.

industrial automation systems are often implemented as an open distributed architecture with communication over digital communication networks. Achieving high availability requires the right mix of industrial network components such as managed switches, protocol gateways, and ruggedized edge controllers.

It is now common for users connected to a local area network to communicate with computers or automation devices on other local area networks via gateways linked by a wide area network. Similar architectures now extend into transportation, where smart city automated level crossings depend on resilient networking to coordinate sensors, barriers, and central oversight.

As the industrial automation systems becomes large and the number of automation devices increases, it has become very important for industrial automation to provide standards which make it possible to interconnect many different automation devices in a standard way. Considerable international standardization efforts have been made in the area of local area networks. The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) standards permit any pair of automation devices to communicate reliably regardless of the manufacturer. To plan these interoperable systems, designers often reference hierarchical levels in industrial networks to align plant-floor operations with supervisory and enterprise layers.

Industrial networks span many manufacturing applications. Standard industrial networks using digital communication technologies cover a wide range of manufacturing applications. In many applications, the types of devices and performance determine the type of network. Contrast the needs of two devices -- a proximity sensor used on a conveyor belt compared to a control valve used in a petroleum refinery. The proximity sensor has a single function - to transmit a Boolean on/off signal indicating the proximity of an object. We can accommodate this signal in a few bits of data. Diagnostic information from the sensor is probably limited to a single "health" indicator, which again requires very little data. However, we can expect the control valve to provide very sophisticated control functions and diagnostics, such as number of cycles since last servicing, packing friction, and ambient operating temperature. These parameters can be extremely critical in an environment such as a refinery -- failures can result in dangerous situations and costly downtime. Clearly, the proximity sensor and the control valve have different network requirements. Therefore, different types of industrial networks must address a variety of different needs. We must select the right network to address our specific application requirements.

What is an Industrial Network? By definition, an industrial network requires geographical distribution of the physical measurement I/O and sensors or functional distribution of applications. Most industrial networks transfer bits of information serially. Serial data transfer has the advantage of requiring only a limited number of wires to exchange data between devices. With fewer wires, we can send information over greater distances. Because industrial networks work with several devices on the same line, it is easier to add a new device to existing systems. Comparing fieldbus, Ethernet, and wireless backbones, understanding transmission methods in industrial networks helps engineers match latency, bandwidth, and environmental constraints.

To make all this work, our network must define a set of rules -- a communication protocol -- to determine how information flows on the network of devices, controllers, PCs, and so on. With improved communication protocols, it is now possible to reduce the time needed for the transfer, ensure better data protection, and guarantee time synchronization, and real-time deterministic response in some applications. Industrial networks also ensure that the system sends information reliably without errors and securely between nodes on the network.

For the lower level communication network for industrial automation, the industrial local area network solutions such as MAP are too expensive and/or do not reach the required short response times, depending on the application. The fieldbuses have been, therefore, developed to meet these requirements, and many efforts are now being made to make fieldbus standards for industrial automation applications. The same field-level connectivity principles underpin a modern building automation system where HVAC, lighting, and security integrate reliably across facilities.

Read More: Hierarchical Levels in Industrial Communication Networks

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