IBM unveiled a new software programme, yesterday, which it said would result in smarter buildings with more responsible energy consumption.
The
Intelligent Building Management software offers
facilities managers a set of analytical tools to detect anomalies in a
building’s energy use and equipment. According to IBM, the software is its most comprehensive
energy efficiency building solution to date. It can iron out many of the problems preventing commercial buildings from meeting more energy efficient levels, such as ensuring the air conditioning is not cooling a room that also has the heating on, the company said.
"Organisations are struggling to find ways to reduce their buildings’ energy use," said IBM Smarter Buildings vice president David Bartlett. "IBM sees a tremendous opportunity to help organisations listen to and make sense of a building’s operations by applying a real-time, analytic approach."
Globally, buildings consume one third of the world’s energy and by 2025, buildings will be the largest consumer of global energy. In the UK non-domestic buildings are currently responsible for about 17 per cent of all UK carbon emissions.
IBM which has been testing its Intelligent Building Management software at a number of sites in the US, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, estimates that smart buildings software could reduce energy uses by up to 40 per cent and reduce maintenance costs by 10 to 30 per cent.
How it worksThe Intelligent Building Management software works by detecting wasteful energy use to be corrected. It does this by collecting data from building control systems and sensors, analysing buildings’ energy consumption data such as use of boilers, air ducts, lights, water pipes, chillers, computer rooms, external temperature monitors and management systems.
Through its analysis, the software can also identify mechanical repairs and replacements that need to be made. According to IBM, the software can automate work-orders containing the makes, model numbers and histories of parts needing to be replaced for a building’s maintenance staff. Repairs can be done quickly and efficiently in this manner, the release suggested.
The IBM Intelligent Building Management software, which links with building-management systems such as Johnson Controls Metasys and Siemens APOGEE software, will be generally available through IBM direct sales and authorised Tivoli resellers this month.
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