We learnt many lessons from the Covid experience on overcoming the challenge of maintaining facility continuity under these unique conditions. Power management resilience helped us develop the ability to absorb or avoid damage without suffering complete failure.

Many buildings were already benefiting from the transition made from analogue controls to connected IoT-enabled electrical distribution and HVAC infrastructures. These smarter buildings enable greater visibility, greater control, and the support of remote services.

For the facility teams managing sites housing critical operations, keeping everything running is crucial for both the safety of occupants and the communities they support. This means that owners and operators need the means to meet facility management and maintenance objectives even in exceptional circumstances. For example:

1. Digitising supports building resilience in time of crisis

With critical operations running 24/7, it is vital to stay well ahead of any risks to uptime. Digitised power and HVAC systems provide real-time updates and alerts to the desktops and mobile devices of facility personnel.

Condition-based monitoring is also possible thanks to intelligent, connected devices like smart power meters and building controls, and software-based analytics generated by integrated power management and building management software. These help to anticipate potential malfunctions in critical electrical and HVAC equipment, using powerful diagnostics to prioritise alarm conditions and recommend immediate actions.

Armed with this guidance, facility teams can ensure electrical networks are operating flawlessly, and optimise airflows for the comfort of onsite occupants, without compromising on safety.

2. Power management during lower occupancy periods

Digitisation helps save on operational costs by enabling facility-wide monitoring of the electrical system and loads, including HVAC, lighting, and more. Tracking energy consumption patterns can reveal pockets of opportunity, for example to identify and shut down non-critical equipment. Digitally enabled visibility into equipment conditions can also identify critical maintenance needs, enabling technicians to act to avoid disruptions.

3. Maintaining operations with limited access or resources

With digital tools, users can manage up to 70% of their building operations remotely. This ability is essential in maintaining business continuity during a crisis. Moreover, mission critical buildings can face extra challenges due to staff availability and access to maintain continuous availability. Connected power management and building management solutions help by delivering the right information, at the right time, to the people that need it.

During difficult times, business priorities will be fluctuating and adapting to evolving circumstances like reduced staffing. With the potential for having less engineering technicians onsite, a digitised building infrastructure provides the platform to support remote services. Automation and remote monitoring allow building facilities to operate well and for longer, with fewer on-site staff.

To learn more about power management strategies to improve operational and business continuity, explore our Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Power video.