Avoid the pitfalls of the BACS Decree

Convictions and best practices for a successful BACS.

The future of our planet depends in part on our ability to rethink the way we produce, use and manage energy. In this new era, the new uses of our commercial buildings occupy a central place. Once seen as mere infrastructure, our buildings are now the focus of attention, and are seen as one of the major levers for meeting the energy challenges ahead.

The advent of the intelligent building is upon us. Tomorrow, it will incorporate advanced technologies that will enable us to optimize energy consumption and the overall management of our human uses in real time, for greater productivity and greater well-being. This transformation is accelerating under the effect of regulatory imperatives (BACS/Tertiary) and growing economic pressures, making optimization of energy consumption a necessity.

In this respect, the 2020-2030 decade is a major period that will have been marked both by an energy market shaken by rate hikes, and the obligation for operators and owners of tertiary buildings in France to implement an energy management system (BMS) to reduce their consumption and achieve the objectives of the tertiary sector decree (-40% by 2030).

The multiplicity of these factors is helping to reduce our carbon footprint, and should be seen as a real boost to the ecological transition. Nevertheless, in view of the urgent regulatory requirements for professionals to rapidly equip themselves with an energy management solution (BMS), a number of questions need to be anticipated in order to succeed at this stage, which requires – let’s talk about it – sometimes substantial investments.

To avoid the pitfalls that could result from incorrect implementation of the BACS decree, professionals must ask themselves what their objectives are. This question can be summed up as: What’s a BMS for?

The essential role of BMS

Building Management Systems (BMS) are automated control systems that enable centralized management of a building’s installations and equipment. BMS technologies are increasingly used in companies to manage energy and optimize equipment consumption. In fact, BMS can help companies improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, thereby reducing the costs associated with energy consumption. In large buildings, for example, heating and air-conditioning systems sometimes operate simultaneously, irrespective of indoor and outdoor temperature, thus causing consumption to soar. Now, however, it is possible to smooth out the complexity of energy management by simply providing the necessary tools to the professionals in charge of operations.

BMS enables real-time monitoring of building equipment, data analysis and fault prediction. This enables proactive, rather than reactive, equipment maintenance. This technique is based on real-time data analysis, enabling breakdowns and failures to be predicted before they occur. This significantly reduces equipment downtime and improves building availability.

Above all, BMS is the first step in building energy management. It enables precise analysis and feedback of energy consumption data, which can help building managers make informed decisions on energy operations and implement strategies to reduce energy consumption. The results are often remarkable: according to a study conducted by Actu Environnement, implementing BMS can reduce energy consumption in buildings by up to 30%.

Democratizing access to energy data

A first conviction is essential to the success of the BACS decree: energy data must be freely accessible to all organizations. This accessibility will enable players in the real estate sector to better understand and identify their areas for improvement. By providing organizations with accurate information on their energy consumption, they will be able to make informed decisions to reduce their carbon footprint.

The first step in any energy transition project is therefore simple: to be able to visualize and understand the energy consumption of your sites. With this in mind, free tools are available that enable you to analyze and compare the energy consumption of your buildings at a glance, and issue alerts if you exceed your subscribed power.

An open BMS: a must!

Another cornerstone of success in implementing the BACS decree lies in adopting an open BMS. This means incorporating the ability to easily add IoT (Internet of Things) devices, such as water sub-meters, to more accurately monitor energy consumption.

Interoperability with future uses and business tools is also essential. An efficient BMS must be able to adapt to changes in the equipment installed base, integrating new technologies as they are developed.

The need for continuous management

A BMS, which is in fact a technical foundation, is not limited to the initial installation. To produce concrete results, it needs to be managed on an ongoing basis. This requires both human expertise and embedded intelligence. Professionals must closely monitor energy data, identify anomalies and adjust parameters accordingly to maximize energy savings.

In the key stages of your energy optimization actions, the first step is to access the data via specialized software or platforms, followed by the installation of a BMS. This is followed by expert advice and recommendations to identify and correct pockets of waste. And the ultimate step in your transition? 24/7 energy management of your buildings using intelligent algorithms.

A homogeneous BMS fleet is needed to meet tomorrow’s challenges

Finally, to succeed in your energy transition, it’s essential to have a homogeneous BMS installed base. This enables rapid, agile mass changes, such as the implementation of an energy-saving plan. What’s more, a homogeneous installed base makes it easier to control demand on a building-wide scale, thanks to mechanisms such as capacity shaving and NEBEF (Notification d’Échanges de Blocs d’Effacement), which enables consumption shaving to be traded on the electricity market. It thus provides a complementary economic space to the balancing mechanism.

What’s next? The integration of artificial intelligence tools “as we go along” will facilitate and optimize fleet-wide management.

In the face of all these challenges, external players specializing in energy management provide an effective response. They ensure precise management of equipment, activating it at the right moment. This approach not only complies with legal requirements, but also improves operational efficiency, reduces energy costs and promotes comfort in the workplace. The buildings of the future will be smarter, more economical environments, where technology and expertise come together to create an optimal working environment.

Successfully implementing the BACS decree is essential to meeting current and future energy challenges. By following the key principles of data democratization, openness, continuous piloting and homogeneity of the BMS installed base, real estate professionals can not only achieve the objectives of the tertiary decree, but also make a significant contribution to the ecological transition, while realizing significant savings. Implementing an efficient BMS is one of the major levers of our energy future.

At the dawn of a new era for commercial buildings, energy is becoming intelligent, serving both the economy and the well-being of occupants.