Latest Building Automation Articles

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.

What Is Advanced Energy Management?

A control-and-analytics approach to optimize electrical loads, integrate renewables and storage, and improve reliability.

✅ Load forecasting and demand response reduce peaks and costs.

✅ SCADA, IoT, and EMS enable real-time monitoring and control.

✅ Optimizes power quality, peak shaving, and asset utilization.

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

Related Articles

• Building Automation Channel

Energy management enhances power systems via smart grid controls, demand response, load forecasting, SCADA, and IoT sensors to improve energy efficiency, peak shaving, power quality, and renewable integration across industrial and utility operations.

What Is Energy Management?

Energy management is the control of electrical loads and assets to optimize efficiency, reliability and cost.

✅ Predictive load forecasting and peak shaving strategies

✅ SCADA/EMS integration with IoT sensors and analytics

✅ Demand response, power quality, and DER coordination

Energy management (EM) is a crucial practice today, as it helps businesses and individuals reduce their carbon footprint, save money, and contribute to a more sustainable future. By incorporating key elements such as efficiency, demand response, building automation, audits, smart grid technology, HVAC optimization, conservation, renewable energy, monitoring, and analytics, a comprehensive EM program can lead to significant savings and environmental benefits. As the world continues to face the challenges of climate change and dwindling resources, EM will remain an indispensable tool for creating a more sustainable and efficient future. For organizations starting out, an energy management program can provide a structured roadmap for setting goals and tracking performance.

Energy management is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps reduce carbon emissions and the overall environmental impact of energy use. Second, it saves money by lowering costs and making facilities more energy efficient. Third, EM practices contribute to businesses and organizations' long-term sustainability and competitiveness. Modern energy management systems offer centralized dashboards and automated alerts that help sustain these gains over time.

Building automation is one of the primary ways energy management systems improve efficiency in buildings. These systems utilize sophisticated technology to control and optimize energy use in various systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and security. By automating these systems, buildings can operate more efficiently and effectively, reducing waste and saving on costs. For broader context, guides on building automation fundamentals can help teams understand integration points with HVAC and lighting controls.

Energy management in industrial facilities requires a combination of best practices, including implementing EM systems, regular audits, and data analytics. By monitoring and analyzing data, asset managers can identify areas of inefficiency, implement targeted improvements, and track the success of their energy management strategies. As operations mature, adopting advanced energy management practices can unify analytics, forecasting, and optimization across multiple facilities.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal, can be integrated into energy management systems to improve sustainability further and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. For example, a facility may use solar panels to generate electricity during peak sunlight hours, reducing the need for grid-supplied energy and reduce energy costs. Additionally, renewable energy can be used with energy storage systems to provide backup power during high demand or grid outages. Well-designed building energy management systems coordinate on-site renewables with storage and loads to maximize self-consumption and resilience.

An effective EM strategy comprises several key components, including a thorough understanding of use, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a focus on energy-efficient technologies and practices. For example, businesses can implement energy-saving measures, such as retrofitting lighting systems with energy-efficient LEDs, upgrading HVAC systems to more efficient models, and improving building insulation to minimize heat loss. Upgraded energy management controls enable granular scheduling, sensor-driven setpoints, and measurement and verification to prove savings.

Smart grids and demand response play a critical role in EM by enabling a more flexible and responsive approach. Smart grids use advanced technology and real-time data to optimize electricity generation, distribution, and energy consumption. On the other hand, demand response programs incentivize consumers to reduce or shift their energy use during periods of high demand, helping to balance the grid and lower overall costs. When paired with a capable building automation system, demand response signals can trigger coordinated load shifts with minimal occupant disruption.

Audits are an essential part of energy management, as they provide a comprehensive assessment of a building's performance and identify opportunities for improvement. During an audit, an EM professional evaluates the consumption of a facility, typically an office building or industrial plant, and recommends cost-effective measures to reduce use and costs. These recommendations may include upgrading equipment, implementing energy-efficient practices, and addressing inefficiencies in the building's design or operations.

Related Articles

• Building Automation Channel

Benefits of industry networks include collaboration, knowledge sharing, standards alignment, and vendor partnerships that accelerate innovation in electrical engineering, grid modernization, smart manufacturing, and safety compliance across power systems and automation ecosystems.

What Are the Benefits of Industry Networks?

They enable faster innovation, standards compliance, risk mitigation, and scalable solutions through shared expertise.

✅ Accelerates compliance with IEEE, IEC, UL standards and codes

✅ Improves interoperability across SCADA, PLC, and smart grid systems

✅ Enables supplier benchmarking, risk sharing, and joint R&D

Modern control and business systems require open, digital communications. Industrial networks replace conventional point-to-point RS-232, RS-485, and 4-20 mA wiring between existing measurement devices and automation systems with an all-digital, 2-way communication network. Industrial networking technology offers several major improvements over existing systems. With industry-standard networks, we can select the right instrument and system for the job regardless of the control system manufacturer. Other benefits include:

To understand how device-level buses, controllers, and enterprise systems coordinate, resources like industrial automation communication outline protocol choices, latency tradeoffs, and integration patterns. Selecting between Ethernet, fieldbus, and wireless options benefits from comparing transmission methods for industrial networks with respect to determinism, noise immunity, and distance.

• Reduced wiring -- resulting in lower overall installation and maintenance costs
• Intelligent devices -- leading to higher performance and increased functionality such as advanced diagnostics
• Distributed control -- with intelligent devices providing the flexibility to apply control either centrally or distributed for improved performance and reliability
• Simplified wiring of a new installation, resulting in fewer, simpler drawings and overall reduced control system engineering costs
• Lower installation costs for wiring, marshalling, and junction boxes

Delivering these benefits also depends on choosing switches, gateways, and physical media from a well-architected set of industrial network components that match environmental and reliability requirements. Designers often map sensors, controllers, and supervisory systems across the hierarchical levels of industrial networks to balance real-time control with plantwide visibility.

Standard industrial networks offer the capability to meet the expanding needs of manufacturing operations of all sizes. As our measurement and automation system needs grow, industrial networks provide an industry-standard, open infrastructure to add new capabilities to meet increasing manufacturing and production needs. For relatively low initial investments, we can install small computer-based measurement and automation systems that are compatible with large-scale and long-term plant control and business systems. This standards-based approach aligns closely with how a building automation system aggregates HVAC, power, and security data for unified operations. For teams expanding beyond production into facilities integration, understanding what building automation entails helps frame networking requirements and data governance.

As energy costs and sustainability goals rise, leveraging advanced energy management over the same industrial network can drive measurable efficiency gains and carbon reporting accuracy.

Related Articles

• Building Automation Channel

What is building automation? An integrated BAS/BMS using sensors, PLCs, and SCADA to control HVAC, lighting, power distribution, VFDs, and safety systems, improving energy management, demand response, monitoring, reliability, and analytics.

What Is Building Automation?

A BAS/BMS that controls electrical systems for efficiency, safety, and performance.

✅ Controls HVAC, lighting, and power via PLCs, sensors, and actuators

✅ Enables energy management, demand response, and load shedding

✅ Integrates SCADA, metering, and VFDs for reliability and safety

What is Building Automation?

Building automation is crucial in creating sustainable, efficient, and comfortable living and working environments. By incorporating advanced technologies like IoT and data analytics, building automation systems can optimize energy consumption, enhance occupant comfort, and promote cost-effective building management. As technology continues to evolve, building automation's potential benefits and applications are set to expand further, making it an essential aspect of modern building design and operation. For foundational context on how organizations plan, monitor, and optimize consumption, consult this energy management primer that aligns with modern building objectives.

Building automation refers to the centralized building control system for various systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security systems, and other related subsystems. The main objective of a building automation system (BAS) is to optimize energy consumption, enhance the comfort of occupants, and ensure that the building operates efficiently and cost-effectively. A concise primer on system architectures and typical functions is provided in the building automation system overview, which clarifies scope and capabilities.

A BAS comprises interconnected components and subsystems, including sensors, controllers, and user interfaces. Sensors measure temperature, humidity, and occupancy, while controllers use this information to regulate various building systems, such as air conditioning and lighting. User interfaces enable facility managers and authorized personnel to monitor and adjust system settings as needed. To understand how setpoints, scheduling, and feedback loops are orchestrated, explore energy management controls guidance that illustrates controller strategies.

One of the primary benefits of building automation is its ability to reduce energy consumption and enhance energy efficiency for building owners. A BAS can optimize energy usage and minimize waste by continuously monitoring and adjusting building systems based on real-time data. For example, automated control of lighting and HVAC systems can help maintain optimal temperature and lighting levels while conserving energy when spaces are unoccupied. This leads to lower utility bills and a reduced carbon footprint. These practices are often formalized within building energy management systems frameworks that standardize analytics and reporting.

Building automation also promotes cost-effective building management system by reducing maintenance and operational costs. A well-designed BAS can detect and address potential issues before they escalate into expensive problems, allowing facility managers to maintain building systems and extend their life expectancy proactively. Additionally, building automation control can help maximize the productivity and comfort of building occupants by maintaining a consistent and pleasant indoor environment. When aligned with enterprise objectives, broader energy management systems can integrate with BAS workflows to coordinate maintenance and savings.

The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a significant role in the development and advancement of building automation. IoT output devices and sensors provide a wealth of real-time data that can be analyzed and leveraged to enhance building performance further. This integration allows for more precise control and monitoring of building systems and the developing of new, innovative energy management and conservation solutions. This data-driven approach enables advanced energy management techniques that support predictive control and optimization.

What is Building Automation?

Building automation is also closely linked to facility management, as both disciplines aim to optimize the operation and maintenance of building systems. By integrating building automation with facility management software, facility managers can monitor and control various building systems more effectively, streamline maintenance tasks, and make data-driven decisions to optimize building performance. Interoperability relies on reliable industrial automation communication methods that allow platforms to share telemetry securely.

The future of building automation technology holds exciting possibilities, including the development of increasingly intelligent and interconnected systems. In addition, advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics will enable BAS to become even more efficient and responsive to changing conditions, resulting in greater energy savings and reduced environmental impact.

Related Articles

• Building Automation Channel

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) professionals optimize energy efficiency, manage sustainability programs, and reduce operational costs through advanced analysis, auditing, and strategic planning for industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities.

Industrial automation communication connects PLCs, sensors, drives, and SCADA via protocols like PROFINET, Modbus, OPC UA, and Ethernet/IP, enabling deterministic control, interoperability, diagnostics, safety, and IIoT data across electrical systems and networks.

What Is Industrial Automation Communication?

Networked real-time data exchange between PLCs, sensors, HMIs, and SCADA using standardized industrial protocols.

✅ Supports deterministic Ethernet (TSN) and legacy fieldbus integration

✅ Enables real-time control, diagnostics, and predictive maintenance

✅ Interoperates via PROFINET, Modbus, EtherNet/IP, and OPC UA

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

Related Articles

• Building Automation Channel