1. Building Automation Systems and their role in Energy Management
Steven E. Jones
The S4 Group Inc.
© 2017The S4 Group, Inc.

2. Early Building Automation Systems (post pneumatic systems)
A network of dedicated computers, controllers, sensors, valves, fans, etc.
Focused on Occupant comfort, i.e. Heating and Cooling
Primarily Non-residential
Every manufacturer used proprietary technology
The strategy: Get into a building at any cost, bill for service, and support forever
Little, or no, emphasis on efficiency

3. The Evolution of Building Automation Energy Efficiency Driven By The Convergence of Stove Piped Systems
Heating
Cooling
Air Flow
IAQ
Security
Lighting
Occupancy
Parking
Free Cooling
Electronic Signage
Daylighting
Fire & Smoke Control
Emergency Communications
Transport
Door and Window Status
Communications
Employee Comfort
Building to Grid
Demand-Response
All Monitored, Controlled, and Coordinated by the BAS!

4. Free Cooling Economizer technology has been available for many years
Renewed interest because of its ability to deliver cooling without chillers running
Needed to improve IAQ
Technology is necessary to control CO2 levels
Opening the windows is not always practical or possible!
Utility companies are offering significant incentives
Immediate cost savings
Better IAQ resulting in higher employee productivity
Possible incentives depending on location

5. Lighting Upgrades Conversion to LED saves bundles (low hanging fruit)
Occupancy detection can save even more by interfacing to other subsystems
Daylighting and skylights minimize the demand
Automated blinds and translucent controllable windows let nature do the heavy lifting
Again, utility companies are offering incentives
Immediate significant cost savings
Possible incentives depending on location

6. Energy Storage Technologies
Ice storage leverages off-peak rate hours
Battery storage technologies minimize the load on the grid during peak rate hours
Flywheel Technologies
Use the stored energy during peak hours
Reasonable approaches when alternative energy sources are not available
Converting / storage uses more energy but results in lower rates

7. Alternate / Renewable Energy
Solar
Wind
Waves
Hydro Electric?
Co generation
Fuel Cells
Good for the environment
Love / hate relationship with power companies
Remove dependence on grid power generation
Supports off-grid installations
Provides backup capacity
Incentives or selling excess power to the grid may be a source of income

8. Demand Response
Automated curtailment or decrease in demand on command from the utility
Better understanding of usage through power metering and BAS helps make good decisions
Helps utility shave peak loads and avoids construction of new generation capacity
You are moving demand not lowering overall energy usage
Significant incentives for participation (even if you are not called upon to decrease demand)

9. Improved Metering and Monitoring
Improves control decisions and algorithms
IoT has a big play here
Wireless technology allows metering where previously not possible
Huge increase in data volumes (Big Data)
Opens the door for analytics, energy management, continuous commissioning, and other value added applications
Occupancy detection and integration to access control / security systems can return big benefits
You cannot control what you do not monitor!

10. Cloud Based Systems
Energy Management
Analytics
Continuous Commissioning
Hotel Property Management Systems
Tenant Management Systems
Driving the need for Tagging technology
Cost effective
Universal access
Accelerating change driven by IoT and Big data
Examples: ecobee wireless stats, Comfy, SkySpark, Coppertree, Opendiem, Cube, and a growing list of others
Applications provide the potential to improve operational efficiency
Training and commitment to utilize determine what is actually realized

11. System Re-commissioning
Correcting shortcuts taken during the installation process can result in significant savings
Retro-commissioning of older systems can bring them back into optimal operational condition and save money
Continuous commissioning applications tune HVAC systems and controls in real time producing optimal results
Investing in tuning up your installation can significantly improve efficiency

12. Standards Facilitate Efficiency and Interoperability
The Building Automation industry was formed around proprietary solutions
This started to change in June of 1987 when the first meeting of Standard Project Committee (SPC) 135P took place at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
Standards facilitate efficiency, interoperability, competition, and innovation
To be effective, standards need to evolve to meet new needs and demands

13. Building Automation Control network
The Promise of BACnet
Building Automation Control network
BACnet ensures interoperability between devices of different manufacturers if
all participants in a project agree on certain BACnet interoperability building blocks (BIBBs) defined by the standard. A BIBB defines the services and procedures that have to be supported at the server and client end to implement a particular system requirement.
The protocol implementation conformance statement (PICS) accompanying a device lists all supported BIBBs, object types, character sets and options in communication.
an ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO standard protocol

14. BACnet International's Objectives
Support BACnet conformance certification
Sustain and fund the BACnet Test Lab (BTL)
Promote interoperability and compliance with the BACnet Standard
Disseminate the latest information about BACnet technology
Maintain a single Web site that displays all BTL listed products
Organize educational events that teach about BACnet standards
Publicize successful BACnet implementations
Market and promote the use of BACnet
Work with other BACnet Interest Groups and other organizations to promote and improve BACnet 
New Offering: BACnet Training Institute

15. Legacy to Open System Migration (Gateway and Router Technologies)
S4 Group offering
Johnson Controls’ Metasys® has been a market leader for many years
Historically based on proprietary protocols
Tightly controlled documentation for legacy protocols
The S4 Open: BACnet-N2 Router publishes all available information to BACnet.
Enables development of single seat operations
Enables the use of modern applications on legacy systems
Facilitates the transition to open technologies
Discussions underway with utility companies about potential rebate program involving S4 integrations
Enabling technology that facilitates cost effective upgrading legacy buildings

16. Share your Ideas and Experience
What has worked for you?