WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF ENERGY VISION? HOW DIFFERENT IS IT FROM OTHER BMS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MARKET?

Energy Vision is a new software platform that has been created to monitor the total energy usage of a building. Details, like how energy is being used, how much of it is being used and where it is being used, get recorded. Other data, like peak time and off-peak time uses of energy, are also recorded. The difference between Energy Vision and other platforms is that the user can control the system. So, if temperatures are turned down or shut down due to human negligence or ignorance, one can control it and rectify the changes, thus allowing better control and better management of energy usage.

The most important feature of this product is that it provides the user with accurate information on a real-time basis, as the performance is taking place.

Facility managers or building owners, who are managing a building, can analyse the trends of how the energy is being used in different parts of the building and implement measures to control it in a more efficient manner. The software can also be customised to the user’s specific needs. It is available in different versions appropriate to the size of the site and the number of metered values to be collected.

Energy Vision incorporates all of the essential functions for monitoring the energy efficiency of buildings and installations. This user-friendly tool for energy benchmarking and analysis is completely integrated with a web and graphics technology, and with clear graphics and diagrams; the information is more easily understood. And with the consolidation, evaluation and visualisation of the building energy data, one will be able to realise reductions in energy costs substantially.

The major benefit of this platform is that it allows the user to identify waste of energy and implement measures to avoid the waste, thus optimising its usage. One is also able to compare buildings and estates effectively.

HOW DIFFERENT IS ENERGY VISION FROM A CONVENTIONAL BMS?

A typical BMS is pre-programed to respond to certain conditions. But in the case of large buildings and different parts of the facility, one cannot predict what the conditions are and the situations that may arise. However, with a product like Energy Vision, one can monitor and view the process in real-time and make changes concurrently. And depending on what type of control one wants to achieve, one can alter the sequence of operation – that is, either shut it down or slow it down, thus enabling you to monitor the systems in a more efficient and real-time way.

RETROFITS ARE GAINING MOMENTUM IN THE UAE. CAN ENERGY VISION BE USED TO RETROFIT EXISTING BUILDINGS IN THE REGION?

Although ideally the product is meant for a new facility, even in a retrofit scenario one can install Energy Vision, since it is compatible with most systems that exist.

HOW CRITICAL IS IT FOR BUILDING OWNERS TO INVEST IN A BMS?

Higher usage of energy results in higher costs, and the wear and tear of equipment is much more. Hence, building owners need to be more conscious towards investing in a BMS. However, one must also understand that apart from energy usage, a building owner or manager must also be conscious towards the comfort and convenience of the building occupants. Therefore, while trying to achieve energy efficiency, one also must pay attention to these two factors; and a BMS plays a critical role to enhance them, along with reducing the carbon footprint.

The seriousness of an investment in a BMS is usually in commercial towers, buildings, hotels, malls and airports, owing to its direct link to the return of investment. And in newer buildings, there is a constant demand for high-end systems and software solutions for better energy management than before.

ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD IS THAT A BMS IS NOT INSTALLED, COMMISSIONED OR MAINTAINED AS PER STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. WHAT IS THE STRATEGY TO COUNTER THIS ISSUE?

The problems that you just stated generally come from the inexperience of the people, engineers or the companies who are carrying out the commissioning, engineering, initial design or the programming work. At Honeywell, we partner with both direct and indirect channel partners and businesses. We also have a regional training centre, where we regularly train our partners, and we also monitor the projects, monitor the feedback and stay in touch with the end-users and consultants. Based on the feedback and evaluations, we continually upgrade the skills sets of our partners to ensure that they can deliver the correct value to the customer.