A Review of Smart Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) to Enhance Building Sustainability

10 pages•Published: July 23, 2025

Sanjeev Adhikari, Tran Duong Nguyen and Eric Silverman

Abstract

The increasing demand for energy efficiency in buildings highlights the importance of Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) in optimizing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. While several research studies have focused on BEMS, there is still a lack of understanding of various energy management strategies for overall building performance. This research aims to define what constitutes a BEMS and its key components. It identifies and describes the various applications included in BEMS that facilitate energy efficiency and environmental control. Additionally, the study assesses the significant challenges faced during implementing BEMS in the construction industry, including compatibility issues and financial constraints. Furthermore, it evaluates the benefits of adopting BEMS in construction, particularly regarding energy efficiency and occupant comfort. The research also explores future directions and innovations in BEMS to enhance building sustainability and operational efficiency. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing 17 key papers from Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The findings indicate that BEMS allows for real-time monitoring and control of energy usage, significantly improving occupant comfort due to enhanced environmental conditions. Advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and renewable energy sources, can be integrated to provide added functionality to BEMS. Proper implementation of BEMS brings substantial cost benefits to building owners and contributes to achieving sustainability goals. This work informs building managers, occupants, and policymakers about best practices for managing building energy, thereby identifying gaps in current building energy modeling and control strategies.

Keyphrases: bems, building energy management systems, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, smart buildings, sustainability

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference, vol 6, pages 342-351.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/1qDQ
	https://doi.org/10.29007/sgfr

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2025:Review_Smart_Building_Energy,
  author    = {Sanjeev Adhikari and Tran Duong Nguyen and Eric Silverman},
  title     = {A Review of Smart Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) to Enhance Building Sustainability},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {6},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/1qDQ},
  doi       = {10.29007/sgfr},
  pages     = {342-351},
  year      = {2025}}

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