BMS Net Zero - Measurement and Verification
Part 3 - If an energy-saving can not be proven, then there is no saving!
If a BMS engineer downloads a smarter control strategy, and the fans run slightly slower, and the pumps run slightly slower, but, that saving can not be proven to the building owner, then there is no saving.
Measurement and verification is extremely important. This is more important than the software code. Do not change a single setting, parameter, or download a new control strategy until you know exactly how you are going to prove the power reduction, and how you are going to analyse the performance of your tuning.
This is where we start to separate who is really serious about putting in the hard work. This part 3, M&V, is why BMS optimisation projects fail.
Call to Action
What you need to do over the next few weeks:
Share the part 1 introduction video, if you don’t then we are wasting our time. You have the ability to save energy in your buildings, and you have the ability to save energy in other buildings by getting more people on board.
Watch the previous, part 2 video, where to start (I know you already watched it, watch it again to reinforce the concept).
Watch this part 3 M&V video again (I know you just watched it, watch it again, this is important).
After you have studied your existing optimal start, VAV and FCU control strategies.
And, you have worked through the free online courses.
And, you have started roughing in your new design.
Then, start putting together a simple (one-page) measurement and verification plan that describes what new points you need to build.
What new calculated points do you need to create?
What new virtual meters do you need to create?
What trend data do you need to collect before you make a change (the performance of the current control strategy)?
What trend data will you collect after the change (to prove the energy reduction)?
What new tuning points do you need to create?
Do you need a new graphic? Do you need to create new dashboards?
Have you worked out exactly how you are going to test the performance of your control strategy change?
How will you know that the change worked, or did not work?
After you know exactly what new visualisation and tuning points/pages/dashboards you need, start building them.
Do not start making software changes yet!
Featured - Latest published online course
BMS for mechanical consultants course
This course was developed by a BMS consultant for mechanical consultants involved in Building Management System projects. Learn how to reduce risk to your company, your client, and the BMS contractor.
Self-paced online course.
12 hours of video lessons.
Training manual (+90 pages).
BMS design examples.
A sample of Lifecycle Controls BMS specification clauses are provided to assist with learning. You can use these in your own specification.
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Free control strategy mini courses
Create a free account in our Learning Management System and complete the free chilled water control system mini-course. A certificate is provided at the end of the course. A copy of the control strategy is provided as a Microsoft Word document for you to modify in your own BMS designs.
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Bryce Anderson
I am an independent Building Management System consultant based in Australia. I started in the BMS industry in 1998 and initially worked for BMS companies for the first 15 years of my career (2 years in South Africa, 9 years in London, and 4 years in Melbourne). In 2014 I transitioned into BMS consulting, saw a massive gap in the lack of specialist BMS consulting, and started Lifecycle Controls in 2017.
My focus is currently on BMS technical training, coaching, and B2B consulting for BMS companies and mechanical consultancies. Because, fixing one project at a time was making no difference. Training thousands of engineers will :-)
