Why choose LoRaWAN for your BMS deployment?
As building energy performance regulations become increasingly stringent, companies must balance compliance with cost control.
At the IBS 2025 trade show, Kerlink and its partners Sphinx and Avob presented a concrete solution to simplify the deployment of Building Management Systems (BMS) using LoRaWAN technology.
A regulatory framework driving BMS deployment
In Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the ISO 52120-1 standard encourage the installation of automated control systems to better manage buildings’ energy consumption.
In France, this is reflected in the BACS Decree: since January 1, 2025, tertiary buildings with HVAC systems exceeding 290 kW must be equipped with a BMS. Starting in 2027, this requirement will apply to buildings with systems exceeding 70 kW. The stakes are high: buildings account for between 30% and 40% of CO₂ emissions in France, yet only 10–15% are currently equipped with a BMS.
Compliance is therefore a major challenge for operators—particularly in existing buildings, where traditional wired systems are costly and complex to deploy.
LoRaWAN: An interoperable technology for scalable, high-performance BMS
LoRaWAN offers a practical response to the challenges of BMS deployment.
In buildings without existing systems, it enables simple and rapid installation, without heavy construction or cabling.
In already equipped buildings, its interoperability with standard building protocols such as BACnet and Modbus facilitates modernization. This compatibility allows new sensors to be integrated without replacing existing infrastructure, laying new cables, or interrupting operations—transforming the BMS into a smarter, more efficient system.
Key steps to deploying a LoRaWAN network for BMS
- Positioning LoRaWAN gateways: Gateways provide network connectivity and must be strategically positioned to ensure uniform radio coverage and strong signal quality. Kerlink gateways, designed and manufactured in France, integrate native LoRaWAN to BACnet or Modbus decoding, allowing the BMS to directly interpret data from any sensor brand. This multi-vendor compatibility simplifies deployment and gives operators greater flexibility in choosing sensors based on their use cases.
- Installing and configuring sensors: Sensors (for temperature, humidity, air quality, occupancy, etc.) are installed at strategic locations depending on monitoring needs and transmit data at defined intervals. Thanks to LoRaWAN technology, sensor battery life can exceed eight years depending on usage conditions.
- Connecting to a supervision platform:
The collected data is decoded and analyzed to visualize consumption in real time, optimize equipment operation, and manage the building’s energy performance.
The overall system enhances energy efficiency and occupant comfort. For example, in a 5,000 m² office building, Avob deployed a wireless LoRaWAN BMS that reduced energy consumption by 30%, achieving a return on investment within 18 months.
Toward a new generation of smart buildings
By combining ease of deployment, interoperability, and data security, LoRaWAN has become a reliable and scalable solution to meet the regulatory requirements of modern buildings.
Beyond compliance, it serves as a strategic lever for energy performance—driving the emergence of new use cases that enable smarter and more sustainable building management.
Sources : French Ministry for Ecological Transition, Avob