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FAQs about Building Rating Systems
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What is Local Law 97 or LL97?
Local Law 97 (LL97), also known as the Climate Mobilization Act, is a landmark legislation passed by the New York City Council in 2019 as part of the city’s efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. LL97 aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions from large buildings, which are major contributors to the city’s overall carbon footprint.
Key provisions of LL97 include:
Emission Limits: The law sets strict carbon emission limits for buildings larger than 25,000 square feet, based on occupancy type. These limits are phased in over time and become increasingly stringent, with the ultimate goal of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, compared to 2005 levels.
Building Performance Standards: LL97 establishes performance standards that buildings must meet to comply with emission limits. Building owners are required to improve energy efficiency and implement measures to reduce emissions, such as upgrading heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, improving insulation, and installing renewable energy systems.
Emission Penalties: Buildings that exceed the prescribed emission limits are subject to significant penalties, calculated based on the amount of excess emissions. Penalties increase over time to incentivize compliance and encourage early action to reduce emissions.
Reporting and Compliance: Building owners are required to report their energy usage and emissions annually to the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB). The DOB monitors compliance with LL97 and enforces penalties for non-compliance.
LL97 represents a significant regulatory measure aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainability in New York City’s built environment. It underscores the importance of reducing carbon emissions from buildings, which account for a large portion of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and emphasizes the role of the real estate sector in achieving climate goals.
What is Energy Star?
ENERGY STAR is a program developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the labeling and recognition of energy-efficient products, homes, and buildings. ENERGY STAR building ratings are a key component of this program and are used to evaluate the energy performance of commercial buildings.
The ENERGY STAR building rating system compares a building’s energy performance to that of similar buildings nationwide, taking into account factors such as size, location, and operating characteristics. Buildings that meet certain energy efficiency criteria are eligible to receive the ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies superior energy performance and environmental sustainability.
To obtain an ENERGY STAR building rating, building owners and managers typically undergo a process that includes benchmarking their building’s energy usage, implementing energy-saving measures to improve performance, and verifying compliance with ENERGY STAR requirements. The EPA provides guidelines and tools to help building owners assess and improve their energy performance, including the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an online tool for tracking and benchmarking energy use.
ENERGY STAR building ratings are widely recognized as a symbol of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Buildings that achieve ENERGY STAR certification benefit from lower energy costs, increased market value, and enhanced reputation for sustainability. Additionally, ENERGY STAR-certified buildings contribute to national efforts to reduce energy consumption and combat climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.
What is NABERS?
NABERS, short for the National Australian Built Environment Rating System, is a pioneering framework designed to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of different classes of commercial buildings. NABERS is a federal government initiative managed by the NSW government.
Unlike qualitative green building rating systems, NABERS provides performance-based methodology relying on independently verifiable quantitative data. It doesn’t judge buildings on the materials used, the comfort levels, or `green’ features. Instead it takes the rating inputs and applies an empirically derived climate sensitive algorithm to produce a normalised consumption benchmark for the building in question and a building rating from 0 to 6 stars.
Inputs to the rating typically include dimensions such as lettable area, building hours or other means to establish occupancy, electricity, natural gas and water consumption. The system relies on independent authorised NABERS assessors to establish the inputs using the methodology and each rating is taken through some level of audit process to test the veracity of the inputs.
Rating systems are available for office buildings, hospitals, data centres, shopping centres, aged-care, apartment buildings, hotels, schools, warehouses and cold storage. A separate carbon neutral certification is also available for offices, hotels and shopping centres.
These star ratings empower building owners, tenants, and investors to make informed decisions regarding property investments, leasing agreements, and sustainability initiatives. Because of its quantitative performance based approach it is a global stand-out and has been imported into the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand.
Does Bueno help with NABERS Ratings?
Annual NABERS rating energy ratings are necessary for compliance and to verify the sustainability performance of a building. Yet by the time the rating is certified, the rating data can be many months old. For many clients Bueno provides monthly tracking of the estimated NABERS rating for each site. This tracking provides a level of surety around the building performance, a kind of insurance policy to manage rating risk. Furthermore it highlights the improvement in building energy and water performance each month as energy and water efficiency opportunities identified by Bueno. Based on monthly tracked ratings Bueno is then able to provide an estimated NABERS Portfolio rating.
A significant amount of time, money and team effort goes into achieving high performing buildings. Through its world leading service Bueno provides peace of mind to know that this performance is not only being sustained, but that valuable resources are being directed with care and diligence to improve upon this building performance. To this point Bueno employs a number of staff that have worked as NABERS assessors, auditors or were involved at some stages in the technical development, protocols or intrinsic modelling behind NABERS.
What is Green Star?
Green Star is an internationally recognised built environment sustainability rating system founded by the Green Building Council of Australia. The Green Star rating system provides a framework for evaluating the design, construction, and operation of buildings and precincts based on a range of sustainability criteria. These criteria broadly cover climate impact, enhancing health and quality of life, restoring and protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, driving resilience in building fitouts and communities, and contributing to market transformation and a sustainable economy.
More specifically the system drives sustainable building practices in energy efficiency, water usage, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation. Certification levels under Green Star include Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Achieving higher certification levels demonstrates a greater commitment to sustainable building practices and environmental stewardship. Green Star certification is widely recognized and sought after in the Australian construction industry, serving as a benchmark for sustainability and promoting the development of green buildings and communities across the country.
The Green Star system provides four means of certification: Green Star Buildings – building design and construction, Green Star Performance – building operational performance, Green Star Interiors – building fitouts, and Green Star Communities – precinct level planning and development.
Does Bueno help with Green Star Ratings?
Bueno helps at the design, construction and operation components of the Green Star certification process. Green Star Performance ratings are heavily weighted by the building NABERS energy and water rating outputs. When the Bueno platform and service is in use at a site, then it is making an ongoing contribution to the performance outcomes that lead to higher Green Star ratings. Performance ratings also gain points for thermal comfort
During the design and construction phases having Bueno on board may support the award Green Star points in a number of different categories. These all go toward achieving a targeted Green Star rating. Some of the categories that can award points are Building Information, Metering and Monitoring and Tuning and Commissioning.
What is GRESB?
GRESB, which stands for Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, is an industry-leading organization that assesses and benchmarks the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of real estate portfolios worldwide. GRESB provides a standardized framework for measuring and reporting on sustainability practices within the real estate sector, allowing investors, asset managers, and property owners to evaluate and compare the sustainability performance of different properties and portfolios.
GRESB collects and analyzes data from participating real estate companies and funds, evaluating their performance across a range of ESG factors, including energy and water efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, occupant health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, governance practices, and resilience to climate-related risks. The assessment process is comprehensive and covers various types of real estate assets, including office buildings, retail properties, industrial facilities, residential complexes, and more.
The GRESB assessment provides participants with valuable insights into their sustainability performance relative to industry peers, helping them identify areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance their ESG practices. GRESB scores and benchmarking reports are widely used by investors, asset managers, and other stakeholders to inform investment decisions, engage with portfolio managers, and drive sustainability initiatives within the real estate industry.
GRESB plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainability best practices within the global real estate sector. By providing standardized ESG data and benchmarks, GRESB aims to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable built environment and drive positive environmental and social outcomes across the real estate industry.
Does Bueno help with your building or portfolio GRESB Ratings?
Yes, Bueno can help improve GRESB ratings for real estate portfolios by providing valuable data and insights that contribute to better sustainability performance. The Bueno Building Analytics Platform enables building owners, asset managers, and property teams to collect, analyze, and optimize data related to energy efficiency, environmental impact, and other key sustainability metrics.
By leveraging Bueno’s analytics capabilities, real estate companies can:
Optimize Energy Efficiency: Bueno helps identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency in buildings. By analyzing data from building systems and equipment, Bueno identifies areas for energy savings and optimization, leading to improvements in energy performance metrics evaluated by GRESB.
Enhance Environmental Performance: Bueno collects data on environmental metrics such as water usage, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. By tracking and analyzing this data, real estate companies can implement strategies to minimize their environmental footprint and meet GRESB’s reporting requirements related to environmental performance.
Improve Data Accuracy and Reporting: Bueno’s platform provides reliable and accurate data collection, ensuring that real estate companies have access to high-quality data for GRESB reporting purposes. Bueno’s analytics tools help validate and verify data accuracy, reducing errors and improving the overall quality of sustainability reporting.
Identify Best Practices and Benchmark Performance: Bueno enables real estate companies to benchmark their sustainability performance against industry peers and identify best practices for improving GRESB ratings. By analyzing benchmarking data and performance metrics, Bueno helps companies identify areas where they can excel and opportunities for improvement.
Overall, Bueno’s Building Analytics Platform empowers real estate companies to enhance their sustainability performance and achieve higher GRESB ratings by providing actionable insights, optimizing building operations, and demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Does Bueno help with your building's Energy Star Ratings?
Yes, Bueno can help buildings achieve ENERGY STAR ratings by providing valuable data analytics and optimization solutions. Bueno’s building analytics platform enables building owners and managers to monitor, analyze, and optimize their energy usage, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.
Here’s how Bueno can assist with ENERGY STAR ratings:
Data Collection and Analysis: Bueno collects data from various building systems and meters, including HVAC, lighting, and occupancy sensors. This data is then analyzed to identify energy usage patterns, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
Fault Detection and Diagnostics: Bueno’s advanced algorithms can proactively detect equipment malfunctions, energy waste, and other issues that may affect energy performance. By identifying and addressing these issues promptly, Bueno helps buildings maintain optimal energy efficiency.
Performance Optimization: Bueno’s platform provides actionable insights and recommendations for optimizing building performance, such as adjusting HVAC settings, scheduling equipment operation, and implementing energy-saving measures. These optimizations contribute to improved energy efficiency and may help buildings meet ENERGY STAR requirements.
Benchmarking and Reporting: Bueno enables building owners to benchmark their energy performance against similar buildings and track progress over time. This information can be used to demonstrate compliance with ENERGY STAR criteria and identify areas for further improvement.
Overall, Bueno’s comprehensive analytics and optimization capabilities support buildings in their efforts to achieve ENERGY STAR ratings and enhance their energy efficiency and sustainability.
What is BREEAM?
BREEAM, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is a widely used environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings. Developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the United Kingdom, BREEAM evaluates the sustainability performance of buildings across various categories, including energy, water, materials, pollution, health and well-being, management, and ecology.
BREEAM assessments are conducted by qualified assessors who evaluate buildings against a set of criteria and benchmarks. Buildings are awarded a BREEAM rating based on their performance, ranging from “Pass” to “Outstanding.” The rating system provides building owners, developers, and occupants with a measure of a building’s environmental sustainability and helps drive improvements in building design, construction, and operation.
BREEAM assessments consider factors such as energy efficiency, water conservation, use of sustainable materials, indoor environmental quality, waste management practices, and ecological impact. By addressing these aspects of building performance, BREEAM aims to promote sustainable development, reduce environmental impacts, and create healthier and more efficient buildings.
Overall, BREEAM certification provides recognition for buildings that demonstrate high levels of environmental performance and sustainability, helping to drive positive change in the construction industry and support global efforts to combat climate change.
Can Bueno help with your Building's BREEAM Rating?
Yes, Bueno can assist in improving BREEAM ratings for buildings. Bueno’s building analytics platform provides valuable insights into building performance metrics, energy consumption patterns, and environmental impacts, all of which are essential factors in achieving higher BREEAM ratings.
By leveraging Bueno’s analytics capabilities, building owners and managers can identify areas for improvement in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, indoor environmental quality, and other sustainability metrics that are evaluated in the BREEAM assessment process. Bueno’s platform allows users to monitor building systems, detect inefficiencies or faults, optimize operations, and track progress toward sustainability goals.
With Bueno’s data-driven approach, building stakeholders can make informed decisions to implement measures that align with BREEAM criteria and contribute to higher ratings. Whether it’s optimizing HVAC systems, implementing energy-saving strategies, enhancing indoor air quality, or adopting sustainable practices, Bueno’s platform provides the insights and tools needed to drive improvements and achieve BREEAM certification goals.
What is EPC?
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ratings for commercial properties assess the energy efficiency of buildings and provide an indication of their environmental impact in terms of energy usage. EPC ratings are based on factors such as building fabric, heating systems, lighting, insulation, and renewable energy sources.
Commercial properties are assigned an EPC rating on a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G the least. The rating is accompanied by recommendations for improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
EPC ratings are important for commercial property owners and tenants as they provide valuable information about the energy performance of a building. Higher EPC ratings indicate lower energy costs, reduced environmental impact, and potentially higher property values. Additionally, some jurisdictions may require commercial properties to meet certain EPC rating standards to comply with regulations or qualify for incentives or subsidies related to energy efficiency.
Does Bueno Analytics help with your EPC rating?
Yes, Bueno Analytics can help improve a building’s EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating by providing insights and tools to enhance energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. By analyzing data collected from building systems and equipment, Bueno can identify areas of inefficiency, detect faults or malfunctions, and recommend optimization strategies to improve the building’s energy performance.
Through its advanced analytics capabilities, Bueno can assist building owners and managers in implementing energy-saving measures, optimizing HVAC systems, improving building automation, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. By addressing energy inefficiencies and optimizing building systems, Bueno helps clients achieve higher EPC ratings, which not only reduce energy costs but also contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
Overall, Bueno’s data-driven approach enables informed decision-making and targeted actions to improve energy performance, ultimately leading to better EPC ratings for commercial properties.
What is the Energy Benchmark Ordinance?
The Energy Benchmark Ordinance is a regulation or law implemented by certain municipalities or jurisdictions to mandate energy benchmarking for commercial buildings. It typically requires building owners to track and report their energy usage data to a designated authority or agency on a regular basis.
The purpose of the Energy Benchmark Ordinance is to promote transparency and awareness of energy consumption in commercial buildings, as well as to encourage energy efficiency improvements. By benchmarking energy usage, building owners can compare their building’s performance to similar buildings and identify opportunities for energy savings.
Compliance with the Energy Benchmark Ordinance may involve submitting energy data to a central database, using specific benchmarking tools or software, and reporting energy performance metrics such as energy use intensity (EUI) or ENERGY STAR scores.
Overall, the Energy Benchmark Ordinance aims to drive energy efficiency efforts in the commercial building sector, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support sustainability initiatives at the local level.
How can Bueno help with the Energy Benchmarking Ordinance?
Can Bueno Analytics help with LL97 Reporting?
Yes, Bueno Analytics can help building owners and managers with LL97 reporting by providing the necessary data and insights to track and reduce carbon emissions in compliance with the law. Here’s how Bueno Analytics can assist with LL97 reporting:
Data Collection: Bueno Analytics collects real-time data from various building systems, including HVAC, lighting, and energy meters. This data is essential for calculating energy usage and carbon emissions, which are required for LL97 reporting.
Emissions Monitoring: Bueno Analytics continuously monitors energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. By analyzing historical data and identifying trends, Bueno can track emissions over time and assess compliance with LL97 emission limits.
Performance Optimization: Bueno’s analytics platform identifies opportunities for energy efficiency improvements and emissions reductions within buildings. By optimizing building systems and operations, Bueno helps clients achieve their LL97 compliance goals while maximizing energy savings.
Reporting Tools: Bueno Analytics provides reporting tools and dashboards that visualize energy usage, emissions data, and compliance metrics. These reports streamline the LL97 reporting process, making it easier for building owners to submit required information to regulatory authorities.
Compliance Support: Bueno offers expert guidance and support to help building owners navigate LL97 requirements effectively. From data collection to emissions calculations to compliance strategies, Bueno’s team assists clients every step of the way to ensure adherence to LL97 regulations.
In summary, Bueno Analytics serves as a valuable partner for building owners seeking to comply with LL97 reporting requirements. By leveraging advanced analytics and data-driven insights, Bueno helps clients monitor, manage, and reduce carbon emissions in alignment with New York City’s ambitious climate goals.
FAQs about other interesting topics
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What is an EMS?
An EMS typically refers to an Energy Management System. An Energy Management System is a comprehensive software-based solution designed to monitor, control, and optimize energy usage within buildings or across an organization’s facilities. EMS platforms integrate various technologies, data sources, and analytics to help building owners and operators effectively manage energy consumption, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.
Key features and functionalities of an EMS may include:
Real-time Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of energy usage, including electricity, natural gas, water, and other utilities, to provide visibility into energy consumption patterns and trends.
Data Analytics: Advanced data analytics capabilities to analyze energy data, identify inefficiencies, and uncover opportunities for energy savings and optimization.
Automated Control: Automation of building systems and equipment to optimize energy use based on occupancy schedules, weather conditions, and other factors. This may include controlling HVAC systems, lighting, and other energy-consuming devices.
Demand Response: Integration with demand response programs to adjust energy usage in response to grid conditions, peak demand events, or pricing signals to reduce costs and support grid stability.
Reporting and Visualization: Generation of reports, dashboards, and visualizations to track energy performance metrics, monitor progress towards energy goals, and communicate results to stakeholders.
Fault Detection and Diagnostics: Detection of equipment faults, anomalies, or inefficiencies through advanced analytics and algorithms to identify issues early and prioritize maintenance activities.
Integration with Building Systems: Seamless integration with building automation systems (BAS), metering infrastructure, IoT devices, and other building systems to collect data, control equipment, and optimize operations.
Overall, an EMS serves as a centralized platform for managing energy resources, optimizing energy usage, and driving continuous improvement in energy performance across buildings and facilities. It plays a critical role in helping organizations achieve their energy management goals, reduce operational costs, and enhance sustainability.
What analytics are collected from commercial buildings?
What is tenant comfort?
Tenant comfort in commercial buildings generally refers to the overall satisfaction and well-being of the occupants. Comfort parameters can include ergonomics and spatial layout, access to daylight or outside views, tunability of air conditioning and lighting systems at an individual occupant level, provision of amenities support physical and mental health, accessibility and biophillic design. How we design for or assess tenant comfort is determined by the use of the space. What comfort looks like in a supermarket will look quite different to an office space.
From a building operational perspective tenant comfort typically refers to directly measurable factors including indoor air quality, thermal comfort (temperature and humidity), lighting and acoustics that are within the control or influence of building management.
What is Built Environment?
The term “built environment” refers to the human-made surroundings in which people live, work, and interact. It encompasses the physical infrastructure, buildings, spaces, and systems that shape the urban and rural landscapes where communities reside. The built environment includes various elements such as residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, transportation networks (roads, bridges, railways), public spaces (parks, plazas), utilities (water supply, sewage systems), and green infrastructure (trees, vegetation).
Understanding the built environment is essential for urban planners, architects, engineers, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in shaping cities and communities. It influences many aspects of daily life, including accessibility, mobility, public health, environmental sustainability, and social interactions. Designing and managing the built environment effectively can contribute to creating vibrant, resilient, and sustainable communities that meet the needs of present and future generations.
In the context of Bueno Analytics and its mission to accelerate the decarbonization of the built environment, understanding the intricacies of the built environment is crucial. Bueno’s analytics platform leverages data and insights from various building systems and infrastructure to optimize energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance overall sustainability in the built environment. By analyzing and optimizing the performance of buildings and their surrounding infrastructure, Bueno contributes to creating healthier, more efficient, and environmentally friendly built environments.
What are the benefits of cloud-based building analytics?
Cloud-based building analytics offer several benefits, including:
- Scalability: Cloud platforms can handle large volumes of data, allowing for scalability as building portfolios grow.
- Accessibility: Access data and insights from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote monitoring and management.
- Cost-effectiveness: Eliminate the need for on-site hardware and maintenance costs associated with traditional analytics systems.
- Real-time Insights: Gain real-time insights into building performance, enabling quick identification and resolution of issues.
- Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration among stakeholders by providing shared access to data and analytics tools.
- Security: Cloud providers offer robust security measures to protect sensitive building data. Overall, cloud-based building analytics empower organisations to make data-driven decisions, improve operational efficiency, and maximise building performance.
What is ESG Reporting?
ESG reporting stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting. It is a process where companies disclose information about their environmental, social, and governance practices to stakeholders. This includes details on their impact on the environment, relationships with employees and communities, and corporate governance structures. ESG reporting helps investors, consumers, and other stakeholders assess a company’s sustainability efforts and ethical practices. It often involves the publication of annual reports or dedicated sections within financial reports, outlining the company’s ESG initiatives, performance metrics, and goals. ESG reporting is increasingly important as investors and consumers seek transparent and responsible corporate behaviour.
Can building analytics help improve occupant comfort and productivity?
Yes, building analytics can significantly improve occupant comfort and productivity by optimising indoor environmental conditions. By analysing factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting levels, and air quality, building analytics can identify areas where adjustments are needed to create a more comfortable and productive indoor environment for occupants.
Occupant comfort is also optimised by mitigating issues that may result in asset downtime, such as the use of elevators, heating and air conditioning.
What role does predictive maintenance play in building analytics?
Predictive maintenance uses data analytics to forecast equipment failures before they occur, allowing proactive maintenance interventions, preventing downtime, and extending equipment lifespan.
What does net-zero mean?
Net zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. This equilibrium is reached by reducing emissions and offsetting any remaining emissions through measures like carbon capture or investing in projects that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as afforestation. Essentially, it entails drastically cutting carbon emissions to mitigate climate change effects, striving for a carbon-neutral state where the greenhouse gases released are effectively counteracted. This goal is vital in combating global warming and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
What does Data Integrity mean, and how does it relate to building analytics?
Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data. It ensures that data remains unchanged and trustworthy. In essence, data integrity ensures that the information is complete, correct, and reliable, free from errors or unauthorised alterations. Maintaining data integrity is crucial for businesses and organisations to make informed decisions, ensure regulatory compliance, and uphold trust with stakeholders. Overall, data integrity forms the foundation of data quality and reliability, safeguarding the integrity and credibility of digital information.
In building analytics, data integrity is essential for generating reliable insights into energy usage, occupant comfort, and operational efficiency. It involves maintaining the quality of data throughout its lifecycle, from collection to analysis and reporting. By upholding data integrity, building owners and managers can make informed decisions, optimise resource usage, and enhance overall building performance.
FAQs about The Bueno Platform and Bueno Building Analytics
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What is Energy Management?
Energy management is the systematic process of monitoring, controlling, and optimising the use of energy in buildings. It involves collecting data on energy consumption, setting benchmarks, and implementing strategies to improve energy efficiency. The primary goals are to reduce energy costs, minimise environmental impact, and enhance sustainability by achieving targets such as net zero emissions. Effective energy management not only helps in cutting operational expenses but also contributes to meeting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards and increasing the overall value of assets.
What is Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD)?
Generally speaking, fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) is an automated software process used in various technological fields including commercial buildings to identify abnormalities in systems and equipment behaviour. The process functions principally by taking equipment telemetry data (temperature, energy, vibration, speed etc.) and running logic algorithms across the data to find anomalous behaviour – behaviour that deviates from the expected. The process signals this deviation to a user to take corrective action.
FDD as a term could be considered somewhat of a misnomer really because while FDD can pick up a fault as it occurs or after it occurs, where it really gets interesting is in diagnosing the emergence of a fault before it happens.
What is Building Optimisation?
Building optimisation is the process of improving the performance and efficiency of a building’s systems and operations. This involves using advanced technologies and data analytics to monitor, control, and enhance elements like heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and water usage. The goal is to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, increase occupant comfort, and achieve sustainability targets such as net zero emissions. Continuously analysing and adjusting building operations helps in maintaining optimal performance, preempting issues and addressing inefficiencies in real-time.
What is Bueno's Energy Management Module?
Bueno’s Energy Management Module is a comprehensive solution designed to optimise energy usage in buildings. It integrates and monitors a building’s entire energy consumption in real time, and uses advanced analytics to establish performance baselines and benchmarks. By identifying inefficiencies and anomalies, the Energy Management Module provides actionable insights and recommendations for improving energy efficiency. This helps organisations meet their sustainability targets, reduce operational costs, and enhance asset value. The module supports the journey towards net zero goals by ensuring continuous monitoring and optimisation of energy performance.
What is Bueno's Fault Detection and Diagnostics Module?
Bueno’s Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) module is an advanced tool of Bueno’s Platform, designed to identify and analyse equipment malfunctions and inefficiencies in building systems. By utilising real-time data and sophisticated algorithms, the FDD module continuously monitors critical systems such as HVAC, lighting, and water usage. When anomalies or faults are detected, the system promptly alerts facility managers, providing detailed diagnostics to facilitate swift and accurate troubleshooting. This proactive approach helps prevent costly downtime, reduces energy wastage, and ensures optimal operational efficiency, thereby enhancing overall building performance and sustainability.
What is Bueno's Building Optimisation Module?
Bueno’s Building Optimisation Module is Bueno’s ultimate comprehensive solution to enhance the performance and efficiency of building systems. It uses advanced technologies and analytics to monitor utility usage in real-time, establishing baselines and benchmarks. By identifying inefficiencies and providing targeted recommendations, it helps organisations reduce operating costs, meet ESG and ret zero targets, and increase the profitability and value of their assets. The module includes accurate and user-friendly reporting so collaborators can continuously track and adjust building systems to ensure optimal performance at all times, and deliver sustainable and cost-effective operations.
Does Bueno provide Building Optimisation (BPO)?
Yes, Bueno Analytics provides Building Performance Optimization (BPO) as part of its comprehensive suite of building analytics solutions. Building Performance Optimization focuses on leveraging data-driven insights and advanced analytics to enhance the operational efficiency, sustainability, and overall performance of commercial buildings.
Here’s how Bueno’s Building Performance Optimization works:
Data Collection: Bueno Analytics collects real-time data from various building systems and equipment, including HVAC, lighting, electrical, plumbing, and environmental monitoring systems. This data is gathered at regular intervals to provide a detailed understanding of the building’s performance and energy usage patterns.
Advanced Analytics: Bueno’s platform utilizes advanced analytics algorithms to analyze the collected data and identify opportunities for optimization. These algorithms can detect trends, anomalies, and inefficiencies in building operations, allowing for targeted optimization strategies.
Optimization Strategies: Based on the insights gained from the analytics, Bueno develops customized optimization strategies tailored to the specific needs and goals of the building owner or operator. These strategies may include adjustments to HVAC setpoints, lighting schedules, equipment sequencing, and other operational parameters to maximize energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Continuous Monitoring and Adjustment: Bueno’s BPO solution provides continuous monitoring of building performance metrics, allowing for ongoing evaluation and adjustment of optimization strategies as needed. By closely monitoring key performance indicators and energy usage trends, Bueno ensures that buildings maintain optimal performance levels over time.
Reporting and Insights: Bueno Analytics generates detailed reports and actionable insights that highlight the impact of optimisation efforts on energy consumption, cost savings, carbon emissions, and overall building performance. These reports help building owners and operators track progress towards sustainability goals and make data-driven decisions to further improve efficiency.
Overall, Bueno’s Building Performance Optimisation solution empowers building owners, operators, and facility managers to achieve significant energy savings, reduce operating costs, and enhance sustainability while maintaining a comfortable and productive indoor environment for occupants.
What Equipment can be connected to Bueno?
Bueno Analytics offers a flexible platform that can integrate with a wide range of building equipment and systems to collect data, analyze performance, and optimize operations. The platform’s versatility allows it to connect to various types of equipment commonly found in commercial buildings, including but not limited to:
HVAC Systems:
- Chillers
- Boilers
- Air handling units (AHUs)
- Variable air volume (VAV) boxes
- Fan coils
- Heat pumps
- Cooling towers
- Ventilation systems
Lighting Systems:
- Lighting controls
- LED fixtures
- Occupancy sensors
- Daylight harvesting systems
Electrical Systems:
- Electrical meters
- Power distribution panels
- Circuit breakers
- Transformers
Plumbing Systems:
- Water meters
- Pumping systems
- Water heaters
- Plumbing fixtures (e.g., faucets, toilets)
Building Automation Systems (BAS):
- Building management systems (BMS)
- Energy management systems (EMS)
- Control panels
- Sensors and actuators
Renewable Energy Systems:
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- Wind turbines
- Geothermal heat pumps
Environmental Monitoring Systems:
- Indoor air quality sensors
- Temperature and humidity sensors
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) sensors
- Occupancy sensors
Other Building Systems:
- Fire alarm systems
- Security systems
- Access control systems
- Elevators and escalators
By connecting to this diverse range of equipment, Bueno Analytics can collect real-time data, perform advanced analytics, and provide actionable insights to optimize energy usage, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall building performance. The platform’s ability to integrate seamlessly with existing building infrastructure makes it a valuable tool for building owners, operators, and facility managers seeking to achieve their sustainability and operational goals.
Can the Bueno Analytics Platform scale easily?
Yes, the Bueno Building Analytics Platform is designed to scale seamlessly to new assets, making it easy for clients to expand their deployment and incorporate additional buildings into the platform. There are several key features and capabilities that enable Bueno to scale effectively:
Modular architecture: Bueno’s platform is built with a modular architecture, allowing clients to add new assets and functionalities as needed. Each module is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems and workflows, facilitating the expansion of the platform to accommodate new buildings and data sources.
Scalable infrastructure: Bueno leverages scalable cloud infrastructure to support the growing needs of clients and their expanding portfolios. This ensures that the platform can handle increasing data volumes, user activity, and computational demands as more assets are onboarded.
Flexible deployment options: Bueno offers flexible deployment options, including cloud-based and on-premises installations, to accommodate clients’ preferences and requirements. This flexibility allows clients to scale the platform in a way that best suits their operational needs and IT infrastructure.
Automated data integration: Bueno’s platform automates the process of integrating data from various sources, including building management systems (BMS), meters, sensors, and IoT devices. This automation streamlines the onboarding process for new assets, reducing the time and effort required to configure data connections and set up monitoring and analytics.
Centralized management and administration: Bueno provides centralized management and administration tools that enable clients to oversee and manage their entire building portfolio from a single interface. This centralized approach simplifies asset management, configuration, and monitoring, making it easier to scale the platform across multiple buildings and locations.
Overall, Bueno’s scalable architecture, flexible deployment options, and streamlined onboarding processes make it well-suited for expanding to new assets and accommodating the evolving needs of clients with growing building portfolios.
How much energy can be reduced with Bueno Analytics?
The amount of energy that can be reduced with Bueno Analytics depends on various factors, including the specific building’s characteristics, the efficiency of its existing systems, and the implementation of optimization strategies. However, Bueno Analytics typically achieves significant energy savings for its clients through its data-driven approach and advanced analytics capabilities.
On average, Bueno Analytics has been known to help clients achieve reductions in energy consumption ranging from 15% to 30%. These savings are often realized through a combination of factors, such as:
Optimizing building operations: Bueno Analytics analyzes data from building systems, including HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), lighting, and other energy-consuming equipment, to identify opportunities for optimization. By fine-tuning operation schedules, adjusting setpoints, and implementing energy-saving strategies, Bueno can reduce energy waste and improve overall efficiency.
Identifying inefficiencies: Through continuous monitoring and analysis, Bueno detects inefficiencies and anomalies in building performance, such as equipment malfunctions, suboptimal settings, or operational issues. By addressing these issues promptly, Bueno helps clients minimize energy waste and maintain optimal performance levels.
Implementing energy-saving measures: Bueno Analytics provides actionable insights and recommendations for energy-saving measures tailored to each client’s needs and priorities. These measures may include equipment upgrades, retrofits, behavioral changes, or system optimizations aimed at reducing energy consumption and improving sustainability.
Monitoring and verification: Bueno Analytics continuously monitors building performance to ensure that energy-saving measures are implemented effectively and that desired outcomes are achieved. By tracking energy usage, analyzing trends, and verifying savings, Bueno helps clients maintain long-term energy efficiency and sustainability gains.
Overall, Bueno Analytics’ comprehensive approach to building optimization and energy management can lead to significant energy reductions, contributing to cost savings, environmental sustainability, and improved operational performance for commercial and institutional buildings.
What is the DLP Period?
The Defects Liability Period (DLP) is a set timeframe after the completion of a construction project during which the contractor is responsible for rectifying any defects that arise. Typically lasting 6 to 12 months, this period ensures that any issues related to workmanship or materials are addressed by the contractor at no additional cost to the client. The DLP provides assurance that the project meets the required standards and allows for the correction of any faults that become apparent once the building is in use.
What does Whole of Building Integration mean?
Whole Building Integration (WBI) refers to the comprehensive approach of optimising energy usage across all systems and components within a building. It involves the seamless coordination and integration of various systems such as HVAC, lighting, and appliances so that can be monitored and optimised holistically.
Key Points:
- Comprehensive Approach: WBI considers the entire building as a single integrated system, rather than focusing on individual components in isolation.
- Optimisation: The aim of WBI is to maximise energy efficiency and performance by optimising the interactions between different systems and components.
- Smart Control: Whole of Building Integration often involves the use of advanced control systems and technology to monitor, analyse, and adjust energy usage in real-time based on factors like occupancy, weather conditions, and energy prices.
- Benefits: By implementing WBI strategies, buildings can achieve significant energy savings, reduce operating costs, improve occupant comfort, and contribute to sustainability goals.
What is “Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ)”?
Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) refers to the overall comfort, health, and productivity of indoor spaces. It encompasses factors such as air quality, temperature, humidity, lighting, and acoustics. Good IEQ promotes wellbeing and enhances occupants’ performance. It involves ensuring adequate ventilation, controlling pollutants, maintaining comfortable temperatures, providing sufficient natural and artificial lighting, and managing noise levels. Monitoring and improving IEQ are essential for creating healthy and conducive indoor environments in workplaces, schools, hospitals, hotels, shopping centres and other buildings.
What is Utility Performance?
Utility performance refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of utilities such as electricity, water, and gas within a system or organisation. It involves monitoring, analysing, and optimising the usage of these resources to achieve specific goals, such as reducing costs, meeting sustainability targets, and enhancing overall operational performance. By closely managing utility performance, organisations can improve their environmental impact, lower operating expenses, and increase asset value over time.
What is a Bueno Partner?
A Bueno partner is an organisation or individual that collaborates with Bueno as their sustainability solutions provider, to enhance environmental performance and operational efficiency. Partnerships involve utilising the innovative technologies of Bueno’s Platform and expertise to monitor, analyse, and optimise utility usage across various sectors, aiming to achieve net zero targets, meet ESG goals, and reduce operating costs. Through these collaborations, Bueno partners gain access to advanced analytics, reporting and tailored recommendations to improve sustainability outcomes and increase asset value.
What does “Building Analytics” mean?
Building analytics is the process of using data-driven insights and advanced analytics techniques to monitor, analyse, and optimise the performance of commercial or residential buildings. It involves gathering data from various building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and security, and applying algorithms to identify patterns, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement. Building analytics helps property managers and owners understand how their buildings are performing in terms of energy usage, occupant comfort, and maintenance needs, allowing them to make informed decisions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall building performance.
How does Bueno manage my growing portfolio?
As your property portfolio and/or equipment expands, Bueno scales seamlessly to accommodate the growth. Our platform is designed to handle varying sizes of portfolios, ensuring that all properties receive the same level of attention and optimisation. Whether you have a few additional properties or a substantial increase in portfolio size and locations, Bueno’s technology remains robust and adaptable, continuously monitoring and optimising utility performance across your expanding portfolio.
What is Equipment Downtime, and why does it matter?
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What is Retrocommissioning?
Retrocommissioning is a systematic process aimed at enhancing the performance of existing buildings by optimising their systems and equipment. This approach involves assessing and fine-tuning a building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems to ensure they operate efficiently and effectively. Through retrocommissioning, potential issues such as energy waste, equipment malfunctions, and comfort complaints can be identified and rectified, leading to improved building performance, reduced energy consumption, and lower operating costs. In essence, retrocommissioning revitalises older buildings, bringing them up to modern efficiency standards while enhancing occupant comfort and sustainability.
How does Bueno help with Retrocommissioning?
Bueno aids retrocommissioning by leveraging advanced analytics to monitor and analyse building systems’ performance. By identifying inefficiencies and deviations from optimal operation, Bueno enables targeted interventions to improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and overall building performance. This proactive approach to retrocommissioning helps identify and rectify issues quickly, reducing energy waste, lowering operational costs, and enhancing the sustainability and value of buildings.
What is Bueno’s rapid deployment?
Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data. It ensures that data remains unchanged and trustworthy. In essence, data integrity ensures that the information is complete, correct, and reliable, free from errors or unauthorised alterations. Maintaining data integrity is crucial for businesses and organisations to make informed decisions, ensure regulatory compliance, and uphold trust with stakeholders. Overall, data integrity forms the foundation of data quality and reliability, safeguarding the integrity and credibility of digital information.
In building analytics, data integrity is essential for generating reliable insights into energy usage, occupant comfort, and operational efficiency. It involves maintaining the quality of data throughout its lifecycle, from collection to analysis and reporting. By upholding data integrity, building owners and managers can make informed decisions, optimise resource usage, and enhance overall building performance.
Can I be a Bueno partner from anywhere in the world?
Bueno’s rapid deployment involves swiftly implementing its solutions across various sectors, primarily using advanced analytics to monitor and optimise utility usage. This process, executed promptly and efficiently, enables businesses to quickly gain insights into their energy, water, and gas consumption, allowing for immediate action to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
With Bueno’s machine learning deployment technology enables rapid onboarding and scale-up of new sites within hours, not days.
Does Bueno do NABERS reporting?
Yes, Bueno facilitates NABERS reporting via the Bueno Platform. Through its advanced analytics and monitoring capabilities, Bueno enables organisations to collect and analyse data related to energy usage, water consumption, and other relevant factors. This data can then be used to generate NABERS reports, providing valuable insights into a building’s energy efficiency and sustainability performance. By leveraging Bueno’s technology, organisations can streamline the NABERS reporting process and make informed decisions to improve their environmental footprint.
What reporting capabilities does Bueno’s platform provide?
Bueno’s platform offers comprehensive reporting capabilities, providing detailed insights into utility usage and performance. Users can generate custom reports tailored to their specific needs, including analyses of energy, water, and gas consumption. These reports enable users to track trends, identify inefficiencies, and monitor progress towards sustainability goals.
Additionally, Bueno’s reporting features support compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitate communication with stakeholders. Overall, Bueno empowers organisations to make data-driven decisions and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through transparent reporting.
Can Bueno help me achieve my sustainability goals?
Yes, Bueno’s platform provides insights and recommendations to help organisations achieve their sustainability targets, including Net zero goals, building ratings and certifications.
What types of buildings can benefit from Bueno's optimisation services?
Bueno’s platform is suitable for a wide range of commercial buildings, including offices, retail spaces, hotels, and industrial facilities.
Is Bueno compatible with existing building management systems (BMS)?
Yes, Bueno’s platform seamlessly integrates with existing BMS systems to enhance their capabilities and provide additional insights.
How does Bueno ensure data security and privacy?
Bueno employs robust encryption and data security measures to protect sensitive information collected by its platform, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Your data is in safe hands. Rest assured knowing that governments, defence organisations and global enterprises choose Bueno.
Can Bueno's platform help us track and report on our environmental performance?
Absolutely. Bueno’s platform generates detailed reports on utility usage and performance, facilitating transparent communication and compliance with regulatory requirements.
How long does it take to implement Bueno's platform in our building?
Implementation timelines vary depending on the size and complexity of the building, but Bueno’s team works efficiently to minimise disruption and ensure a smooth transition, and achieve connection in days and weeks, rather than months.
Does Bueno provide ongoing support and maintenance for its platform?
Yes, Bueno offers ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure the continued effectiveness and reliability of its platform.
Can Bueno’s platform help identify potential equipment failures or maintenance issues?
Yes, Bueno’s platform monitors equipment performance and defect anomalies, enabling proactive maintenance and preventing costly breakdowns and downtimes.
Can Bueno's platform help us benchmark our building's performance against industry standards?
Absolutely. Bueno’s platform enables benchmarking of utility usage and performance, allowing organisations to compare their buildings’ efficiency with industry norms. It also helps companies maintain optimal results year on year.
Does Bueno's platform provide real-time alerts for abnormal utility usage?
Yes, Bueno’s platform sends real-time alerts for abnormal utility usage patterns, enabling prompt action to address potential issues and prevent waste.
What are the typical ROI and payback periods for implementing Bueno's platform?
ROI and payback periods vary depending on factors such as building size, usage patterns, and existing inefficiencies, but Bueno’s platform typically delivers significant savings and returns on investment within a relatively short time frame.
