Profile: Real Control Solutions Ltd
The energy management of a building is intrinsically dependent on its building-management system (BMS).
Although the scope of a BMS encompasses all of a building’s systems and services, including, for example, fire, access and security, it is plant control, integration and energy conservation that are the most complex and demanding in terms of design, application and installation.
The three key elements of energy management are Metering, monitoring and management (M3).
Metering is a primary requirement for energy management. The analysis of the energy consumption in a building requires the installation of accurate sub-meters in sufficient numbers to provide adequate volume of information to enable realistic assessment of the energy usage.
Monitoring the visualisation, data collection and alarming of energy usage is an integral part of the energy management system. The integration of different metering systems and associated sensors is quite complex in large buildings with a high number of different enterprise activities.
Management is the integration and communication of metering and monitoring and the control of the complete system. The effective design and creation of graphical front ends or supervisors that enhance and compliment the user’s experience require a high level of skill and experience if they are going to encourage maximum usage of the complete system’s capabilities.
Real Control Solutions Ltd is an excellent example of a company that is working in both energy and building management.
Based in Ashton under Lyne, CentraLine Partner Real Control Solutions Ltd has understood the need for an independent systems installer to have a firm understanding of the inter-relationship between building controls and energy management.
Spencer Hogg, managing director of Real Control Solutions, explains, ‘Designing and engineering building-management systems that are going to be effective must incorporate the present and future needs of a client’s requirements for energy usage.
‘We at Real Control Solutions believe that it is the responsibility of the systems installer to have a thorough understanding of the energy-management aspects of building controls, enabling them to advise and guide their clients on how to get the best out of their systems.
‘This means we must also have good practical and theoretical knowledge of the plant and equipment utilised in mechanical building services.’
Real Control Solutions’ engineers have a combined knowledge of 65 years in designing, engineering and commissioning building controls and energy management.
Their depth of experience in control technology and energy conservation has been built on a foundation of a wide range of roles within the building-services industry — including control manufacturers, contractors and facility management.
Consultancy is a key part of the company’s business model — being able to advise clients on the most cost-effective way to achieve optimum energy conservation without a negative impact on their operation or enterprise.
This is particularly important in a key aspect of the upgrading, replacement and integration of existing systems with the latest building controls technology.
The CentraLine Hawk is Real Control Solution’s preferred option for integration.
Its Niagara software framework gives a wide choice of open protocols for the multiple systems and equipment that need to be addressed in a BMS, ensuring the maximum opportunity for energy management.
Real Control Solution’s approach to building-management systems is summarised by Spencer Hogg: ‘Critical to creating a building-management system that is going to meet our clients’ existing and future requirements is understanding their business and operational demands. This means designing a system that not only works effectively and efficiently but also works for them.
‘Access by key personnel is a prime factor in our design philosophy if a building-control system is going to provide effective energy management. Easily understood graphics and text messaging is essential for the monitoring and adjustment of a system which, in turn, requires fast reliable communication.
‘Our systems offer 24/7 access by PC, tablets and smart phones. Customised dashboards provide data and information at a glance, with automatically generated e-mails for alarm and over-usage conditions.
‘Wireless technology is an excellent method to provide control and monitoring facilities at essential communication points in a BMS, and we recommend it as standard to our clients.
‘Working with CentraLine by Honeywell provides us with the integration element, which is a primary requirement if we are to provide the full capabilities our company can offer.’
Jim Sword, sales manager for CentraLine by Honeywell, comments,
‘Real Control Solutions is a great illustration of how our Partners can expand their company’s portfolio by providing their clients with a wide range of services and expertise based on their core building control engineering knowledge.
‘We are looking forward to working with them on future integration projects using the Hawk controllers.’
If you would like further information please contact CentraLine on 01344 656443.
