As energy costs rise and the push for energy sustainability grows around the world, businesses are striving more than ever to balance sustainability and profitability. Traditional energy management methods do not cut it anymore, so they are relying on technology solutions like Energy Management (EMS) and Building Management systems (BMS).
While both systems are beneficial for facility management and energy management, they play different roles. The difference between EMS and BMS may be quite confusing for businesses. In this blog, we are going to explore that and simply break down what BMS does and what EMS does, so you can simply understand the key differences and how to use both solutions.
What is an Energy Management System?
An energy management system is a technology solution designed to monitor, control, and manage energy consumption. Its core components include: data collecting sensors, control systems, analytics, and software, as well as user interfaces that enable monitoring and decision making.
How Does an Energy Management System Work?
Energy management systems monitor energy consumption and output by using installed sensors to collect real-time data that users can effectively analyse to spot energy inefficiencies. An EMS also helps users control, optimise energy assets, loads, and take intelligent actions concerning their energy consumption data and insights.
What is a Building Management System?
A building management system is an automated system that is fixed in buildings to keep track of electrical and mechanical equipment, such as HVAC systems, lighting equipment, lifts, access control, etc.
How Does A Building Management System Work?
The BMS central hub is used to control all electrical components of a building. With the use of a BMS, facility managers can use a computer or mobile device to control heating and ventilation systems remotely, eliminating the need to walk from building to building or room to room to switch equipment on or off or adjust settings manually.
What is the Difference Between EMS and BMS ( EMS VS BMS)?
Both EMS and BMS play pivotal roles in keeping a building’s energy use intensity low and achieving energy efficiency for a building. But those roles are quite different. A building management system is all about controlling, managing, and automating the physical amenities in the building. On the other hand, EMS focuses on gaining insight by monitoring energy output and consumption, helping users identify waste, how much they spend, showing real-time energy data, and recommending changes to optimize sizing and load distribution to boost energy performance.
BMS VS EMS: Which Do You Need?
Do buildings need both an EMS and a BMS? Or do you have to choose between a BMS and EMS?
Well, while it is very beneficial to integrate both tools or systems, you can start with systems that align with your immediate needs. Combining both systems allows a facility manager to gain a holistic outlook on the building’s performance, which helps to identify areas of inefficiency and helps them take corrective actions on time. If your immediate need is to amp up energy efficiency, employing an EMS should be your first step, especially if you need to cut down energy waste and excessive spending on energy. However, if your priority is to gain the ability to control and automate the function of appliances and amenities in the building, then a BMS might be your best bet.
Pai Enterprise: An Energy Management System Built For True Energy Efficiency
If you are considering an EMS, it is important to choose one that doesn’t just collect data but actually helps you act on it. Pai Enterprise is built to collect accurate data and give intelligent insights. Pai Enterprise is built to give businesses a clearer, more intelligent view of their energy performance, using real-time insights to help them cut waste, reduce costs, and stay ahead of inefficiencies before they escalate.
With Pai Enterprise, you get visibility into how your generators, grid supply, and other energy assets are performing at any moment. It helps you identify anomalies, monitor diesel usage, track generator runtimes, and pinpoint energy-dense activities, so you are not making decisions in the dark.
Whether you are managing a single site or multiple branches, Pai Enterprise supports you with the data and tools you need to optimize your energy operations and move closer to true energy sustainability.