Commercial buildings:

With the BACS decree, the rise of Building Management Systems (BMS)

Commercial buildings:

With the BACS decree, the rise of Building Management Systems (BMS)

What are the objectives of the BACS decree issued in July 2020?

The BACS decree, published in the summer of 2020, transposes the 2013 European directive on the energy performance of buildings into French law. It aims to improve France’s environmental footprint, particularly in the commercial real estate sector. The stakes are high, as the “residential and commercial” building sector has been France’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases since 2009 (20% of national emissions), behind the transportation sector (30%).

Specifically, this decree requires managers of commercial buildings larger than 5,000 m² to install building management systems by January 1 2025. For new buildings, this requirement will apply to building permits filed on or after July 21, 2021. Preparations for these changes are therefore underway.

The goal is to reduce energy consumption in buildings, thereby lowering energy costs and reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. The goal is to reduce energy consumption by 25% in commercial buildings equipped with heating and/or cooling capacity exceeding 290 kW: offices, shopping centers, factories, etc. By installing a building management system (BMS), a building can expect to save 15 to 23 K€ on a 100 K€ bill. Progress has already been made in this area, as a building from 1960 consumes an average of 15 € per m², compared to 8 € for a building from the 2000s and 4 € today. But further progress was needed, and that is the very purpose of the decree.

What Does the Future Hold for Building Automation?

“ “The BACS (Building Automation Control System) Decree, the Tertiary Sector Decree, and the ‘France Relance’ plan—everything seems to be contributing to the development of Building Management Systems (BMS), also known as ‘building automation solutions.’ This neologism, which combines the words “real estate” and “IT,” aptly describes the goal of these innovative solutions: to leverage digital technology to intelligently manage buildings (smart buildings) in order to optimize their energy consumption.” ”

Philippe Detourbe Automation and Building Management Systems Expert at Equans France

What is a building management system (BMS)?

This is a computer system that allows for the remote control of all equipment in a building, such as energy metering, the management of heating, cooling, and lighting systems, elevators, and so on. This solution consists of sensors for detection and control connected to programmed electronic boards housed in metal cabinets, which are in turn connected via Ethernet cables to a control station that manages the systems. The building manager operates this platform after receiving training on the system.

This building management system (BMS) measures specific data, configures the systems, and records energy consumption. An alarm system alerts users to energy deviations, outages, or malfunctions.

What are the key factors in the development of building automation solutions?

Growth in the building management systems (BMS) market has already been significant for several years[1]. However, a much sharper increase is already anticipated in the coming years, with the gradual implementation of the two BACS decrees and Tertiary Eco-Energy Program. This program, which took effect in October 2019, requires owners and tenants of commercial buildings larger than 1,000 m² to achieve energy savings of 40% by 2030. In addition, the economic recovery plan adopted in September 2020 allocated 4 billion euros to the energy-efficient renovation of public commercial buildings (particularly schools and universities). This funding directly supports building renovation work as well as equipment for managing and regulating energy consumption—that is, building management systems (BMS).

To achieve the ambitious goals set by the Eco-Energy-Tertiary program, the BACS decree, and the stimulus plan, more efficient management solutions must be implemented by integrating them into existing systems—without having to completely overhaul what is already in place. It is also necessary to support commercial building owners who are seeking affordable, user-friendly, and sustainable solutions. Equans France addresses this dual challenge by providing services across the entire value chain (analysis, auditing and consulting, installation and integration, staff training, operation, and maintenance). Our solutions offer multi-fluid and multi-site energy monitoring and analysis and work in all types of buildings (hospitals, hotel complexes, and data centers). For all these buildings, the goal is the same: to optimize building management systems to reduce GHG emissions and our clients’ energy bills.

[1] +5% in 2019 according to the Union of Climate Control and Automation (ACR)