Referring to LEED V4 EAc1 guideline, MBCx is the integration of 3 components: (1) Permanent energy monitoring systems, (2) Real-time energy analysis, (3) Ongoing commissioning. MBCx allows the user to track energy consumption, detect faulty equipment operations, and identify unusual energy or power consumption patterns as they occur.

To optimize the investment cost for the building owner, I would like to ask if our plan could fulfill the minimum requirements of LEED MBCx:

  • Install permanent Energy Management Information System (EMIS) to monitor the main building systems including MDB, chillers, pumps, AHUs, lift, lighting and plug loads in the common areas from the installed submeters.
  • The EMIS can monitor the power demand [kW], energy [kWh], and power factor [p.f.] in real-time and log accordingly. The EMIS will identify faulty equipment operations and the unusual energy consumption patterns by comparing the real-time data with the energy simulation model.
  • The detected faults will then proceed with the monitoring action plan based on the ongoing commissioning strategies (Plan-Do-Check-Act-Repeated)

In the project with higher investment cost, I would suggest the building owner invest in the Building Automation System (BAS) for more comprehensive MBCx. However, I would like to know if the project with a limited investment cost would be able to fulfill LEED MBCx without BAS?