Amsterdam, Netherlands – January 2027 – JLL Properties, a global real estate management firm, has announced an 18% reduction in energy consumption and 24% lower maintenance costs after deploying the ABB 3BHE032285R0102 multifunctional PLC at its 42-story “Amsterdam Sky” office tower. The upgrade, completed in Q4 2026, addressed critical inefficiencies in the tower’s aging building management system (BMS)—where siloed controls for HVAC, lighting, and security wasted 22% of annual energy and required 150+ hours of manual maintenance monthly.
The Challenge: Siloed Systems and Energy Waste in Smart Buildings
Prior to adopting the ABB 3BHE032285R0102, Amsterdam Sky faced four core operational hurdles:
- Inefficient Energy Management: Legacy BMS controls for HVAC and lighting operated independently, leading to overcooling in empty floors (30% of office space) and unnecessary lighting during daylight hours. Annual energy costs exceeded €480,000.
- Siloed Building Systems: HVAC, elevator, security, and fire safety systems ran on separate controllers, making it impossible to coordinate energy use (e.g., reducing HVAC during elevator peak loads) or respond quickly to emergencies.
- Manual Maintenance Burden: Technicians spent 12+ hours weekly troubleshooting system errors, as legacy controllers lacked remote diagnostic capabilities. Minor issues (e.g., a faulty temperature sensor) required on-site visits, delaying resolutions by 24–48 hours.
- Poor Occupant Comfort: Inconsistent temperature (±3°C variations across floors) and slow response to lighting requests led to a 17% decline in tenant satisfaction scores in 2025.
“Modern office tenants demand sustainability and comfort—but our old controls were stuck in the past,” said Sophie van der Meer, JLL’s Building Operations Director for Benelux. “We needed a single, intelligent PLC that could unify our building systems while cutting energy waste and maintenance headaches.”
ABB 3BHE032285R0102: The Multifunctional Brain for Smart Buildings
After evaluating competitors from Siemens and Honeywell, JLL selected the ABB 3BHE032285R0102 for its integration capabilities, energy optimization features, and user-friendly design:
- Unified System Control: Supports 800+ I/O points and integrates seamlessly with HVAC, lighting, elevators, and security systems via BACnet/Modbus TCP. Enables cross-system coordination (e.g., dimming lights when natural irradiance exceeds 500 lux).
- AI-Powered Energy Optimization: Built-in energy management algorithms analyze occupancy data (from motion sensors) and weather forecasts to adjust HVAC setpoints. Reduces energy use during off-peak hours while maintaining comfort.
- Remote Diagnostics & Predictive Alerts: ABB Ability™ Cloud connectivity allows technicians to monitor PLC performance, troubleshoot errors, and update firmware remotely. Predictive maintenance alerts identify failing components (e.g., HVAC filters) 3–4 weeks in advance.
- Occupant-Centric Features: Integrates with tenant apps to let users adjust desk-level lighting/temperature, with the PLC balancing individual requests against building-wide energy targets.
- Rugged & Scalable Design: Operates in -10°C to +60°C temperature range with IP20 protection, fits in existing BMS cabinets, and supports expansion modules for future upgrades (e.g., EV charging station integration).
Results: Energy Savings and Tenant Satisfaction Surge
Six months post-deployment, Amsterdam Sky achieved transformative results:
| Metric |
Before ABB 3BHE032285R0102 |
After ABB 3BHE032285R0102 |
Improvement |
| Annual Energy Cost |
€480,000 |
€393,600 |
18% Reduction |
| Maintenance Hours/Month |
150+ |
114 |
24% Reduction |
| Tenant Satisfaction Score |
73/100 |
86/100 |
18% Increase |
| HVAC Temperature Consistency |
±3°C |
±0.8°C |
73% Improvement |
| Emergency Response Time |
5 Minutes |
90 Seconds |
70% Faster |
“The 3BHE032285R0102 has turned our tower into a true smart building—not just a collection of connected devices,” van der Meer said. “We’re saving energy, making tenants happier, and reducing our carbon footprint—all with one powerful PLC.”
Jan Pietersen, ABB’s Global Product Manager for Building Automation, emphasized the PLC’s role in sustainable real estate: “Smart buildings need multifunctional controllers that can unify systems, optimize energy, and adapt to tenant needs. The 3BHE032285R0102 delivers on all fronts, helping property managers meet ESG goals while improving ROI.”
JLL plans to deploy the ABB 3BHE032285R0102 across 8 more European office towers by 2028, targeting a portfolio-wide 15% reduction in energy use and 20% lower maintenance costs.
