Whether you are starting out in energy management or consider yourself an expert in the field, energy management is a constantly evolving and developing discipline. Its principles and practices have been employed by businesses across multiple industries to bring down energy costs and kWh consumption, optimize operations, reduce waste, and very importantly, cut GHG in response to climate regulations.
Technology has enabled energy management professionals and teams to plan, execute, and evaluate energy management strategies through machine-learning, big data, and energy analytics as well as monitoring and controlling technologies. A quick google search of energy management related technologies, will have your screen flooded with acronyms such as EMS, EMIS, ERP, BMS, EnMS, BAS and more.
What do these acronyms mean? Where do these fit in the energy management technology landscape? How do you know which technology or solution is right for your business?
If you are asking yourself these questions, read on. The following sets out to explain these terms and their applications, whie also addressing some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about energy management.
Energy management systems (EMS or EnMS) are commonly referred to computer-aided tools or software used to monitor, control, and optimize energy performance of domestic and commercial real estate; equipment; operations and manufacturing facilities in virtually any industry.
Energy management systems are often segmented on the basis of application, eg. utility energy management system (think SCADA), industrial energy management system, facility energy management system, building energy management system, residential energy management and so on.
While the functionality of each of these systems may vary, at its core, an energy management system is designed to assist energy professionals effectively manage and reduce the kWh and costs associated with their business and operations in an environmentally responsible and compliant manner.
It&#;s important to note that there is a distinct difference between energy management systems and energy management software&#;that being automated control of facility/building equipment, machinery and other systems such as HVAC, lighting and more&#;which is a feature commonly found in energy management systems. Energy management dashboards and platforms are data and analytical powerhouses that are key to:
While utility/industrial/facility energy management systems have the ability to monitor and automate control of building systems, they often lack the analytical capability to identify key energy savings opportunities.
Energy management software is the technology enabler providing data-driven insights through big data and analytics assisting facility managers, building energy managers, utilities, energy suppliers, energy service companies (ESCOs) and consultants to make informed decisions about energy and cost saving actions and strategies.
It brings together hardware, software, and data into one platform that allows energy management teams to remotely monitor, analyze energy, water, gas, and other business data from one central system.
The ability to analyze data through analytics, and develop actionable insights, is where the value lies. A good energy management software will have (but not limited to) the following tools, features or functionality:
Perhaps the most significant difference between energy management software and building management systems/automation systems is automated control of building equipment such as heat pumps, lighting, HVAC as well as other electrical and mechanical equipment&#;a key feature of BMS/BAS systems. BMS systems can remotely turn ON/OFF, change settings of equipment meaning that they can send controlling signals to equipment. Energy management software does not include these controlling features.
While energy management software has the ability to be integrated with BMS/BAS systems, it is largely geared toward delivering the analysis tools to dig deeper into energy patterns, incorporate historical data to identify trends, compare data across different periods, evaluate areas of operational waste/savings, measure and verify saving actions&#;which are not part of the capabilities of BAS/BMS systems. BAS/BMS systems simply don&#;t have the analytical muscle to conduct in-depth insight needed for long-term energy efficiency improvements.
The first step to saving energy in a building or site is to perform a site survey to gain a better understanding of your:
It is critically important to establish the project environment, requirements, goals and objectives, before integrating software and analytics to accurately monitor and evaluate the impact of energy saving projects and actions.
Energy management software is really the key ingredient when starting the process towards achieving the ISO standard. Without the advanced analytical capability that is at the core of energy management software, performing the calculations and generating the insights needed for reporting & compliance become near impossible.
Through advanced analytics software and tools, found in energy management software platforms and dashboards, users are able to:
Energy management software can be segmented according to deployment &#;
Cloud-based energy management software is hosted and maintained by the service provider eg. EnergyCAP energy and sustainability software is hosted on AWS and the platform/user interface is accessed by users through a web browser. On-premise energy management software on the other hand, is installed locally in a premises&#; servers and computers and can work without the internet connection.
Cloud-based and on-premise energy management software can also differ on the basis of pricing, security, customization, maintenance, lifecycle.
Pricing &#; On premise energy management software traditionally has a once off cost/licensed to buyers, whereas cloud based energy management software works on a subscription basis, whereby users pay a monthly subscription for the use of the software. Furthermore, on-premise solutions often incur additional costs, in set-up and installation and where additional hardware may be required. Conversely, cloud-based solutions can be set up and accessed by users in a matter of minutes&#;no upfront costs or installation teams required. In order to deploy a system with advanced analytics capabilities like Wattics, you&#;d need servers and IT environment costing ~$10 000&#;50 000 depending on the size of the project.
Security &#; Security is an important consideration when considering a software solution that house sensitive data. It is crucial to ensure that when comparing solutions, that vendor security policies and procedures be taken into account? Do they comply with GDPR? Providers of cloud-based energy management software is taken care of by the vendor, while security of on-premise energy management software falls on the users themselves. Companies opting for on-premise solutions should consider whether they have the in-house expertise to maintain the highest security standards to avoid breaches. With Wattics&#; integration method, the energy management platform does not intervene with the local network which prevents creating a weak chain and network therefore, stays closed and secure.
Customization &#; While on premise software solutions excel in customization, highly customized solutions come with the risk of being difficult to scale, update and maintain. While cloud-based solutions don&#;t offer much opportunity for customization, vendors offering these solutions are constantly working to develop new tools and features to meet customers requirements as their energy management needs evolve. New tools and features are made readily available to use and are updated by the service provider without user action required.
Maintenance &#; Maintenance is also a key consideration &#; cloud-based solution providers are responsible for the consistent maintenance, security and software updates of their software platform, while these responsibilities are those of the users when employing a on-premise energy management software. Extra support, time and costs may be incurred if the in house skills are lacking to oversee maintenance activities.
Cloud-based energy management software solutions will continue to grow over next years as these technologies continue to help energy professionals saving energy and adhere to energy conservation and efficiency mandates as well as support bottom-line profits.
If you are starting a new energy management project, looking for an energy management software to manage energy and certification projects, and/or looking to reduce kWh consumption, costs and improve overall efficiency in your company or organization, EnergyCAP Smart Analytics has you covered!
To learn more about how EnergyCAP Smart Analytics can help your business or help you manage energy projects on behalf of your customers, send us a request using the contact form below &#; and let&#;s start the conversation!
Articles
For example, from April to April , crude oil prices increased by 350% &#; that&#;s the largest increase for any two-year period since the s. Even more worrying is that experts don&#;t expect the situation to improve any time soon.
Energy prices have spiked to levels we haven&#;t seen in decades. Between January and April , the World Bank&#;s energy price index increased by 26%, following a 50% increase between January and December . Non-renewable energy resources like coal, oil, and natural gas have risen sharply in price as a result.
Even though renewable sources of energy like wind turbines and solar panels are slowly gaining popularity, it will take time for them to become as widely adopted as gas and oil. That makes searching for ways in which companies can limit their energy usage and reduce their bills a pressing matter.
One method of doing just that is by using an energy management system (EMS). They allow businesses to take control of their energy consumption and find how to reduce the amount of electricity they use. Even better, an EMS platform can also help businesses reduce their carbon footprints and boost their brand reputation.
But what is an EMS, and how do they work? Read on to find out.
An energy management system is a set of tools through which companies can understand and manage their energy use by controlling all their electric utilities and electricity-consuming devices. Additionally, it can help companies find where they use the most energy and suggest how to reduce usage in those places.
How does it work? A typical EMS platform consists of four elements:
Sensors that continuously measure energy usage and send the data to the EMS platform.
EMS interface through which users can monitor and manage their energy usage.
A control system that transmits commands from the EMS user interface.
Devices controlled by the EMS system, such as air conditioning units, fans, and lights.
Thanks to giving business owners sufficient information about their energy flows and consumption levels of their devices, EMS systems can help with decisions about energy activities and how to lower consumption without hurting productivity or efficiency.
For example, an EMS system could notify a manager that a piece of electric equipment in the office is malfunctioning and using far more energy than it should. Replacing such devices with newer and more energy efficient ones (e.g. efficient lighting systems) can reduce consumption levels and, consequently, save business owners money.
Additionally, business owners can use an EMS application to:
Define their energy goals and KPIs, as well as track their energy-saving progress (including reductions in energy costs).
Track both historical and real-time data on power flow and usage.
Spot trends in energy consumption and predict peak hours/monthly consumption accordingly.
Collect and combine energy data from multiple sources (spreadsheets, automation systems, invoices, metering systems, IoT devices, etc.)
Generate detailed reports on energy consumption, emissions, usage predictions, and savings.
All of the above features can help organizations gain more insights into how they use electricity in their building and where they could optimize energy usage in order to save money.
But there&#;s one more where an EMS can help &#; reducing pollution and waste that is directly linked to energy usage, lowering the carbon footprint, and boosting brand image. As customers are becoming more aware of climate issues, they are now far more likely to support environmentally friendly companies.
For example, sustainability is rated as an important purchase criterion for 60% of customers. In addition, according to a Statista survey from , 45% of surveyed consumers stated that they were interested in finding brands that were sustainable or environmentally responsible.
Investing in energy-related improvements, improving efficiency, and reducing your organization&#;s carbon footprint therefore won&#;t just bring environmental benefits, but can actually give you a competitive edge.
Link to acrel
Energy management systems can be used anywhere &#; from office buildings, restaurant sites, hospitals, hotels, and schools to factories and even regular houses. For the electric vehicle industry, energy management systems and methods of energy storage are essential as well.
The main features are actually pretty similar regardless of type. Energy management solutions help building managers, employees, or tenants control all electronic pieces of equipment in their building &#; like heating, air conditioning, lighting systems, or any other devices connected to the electricity grid.
Smart meters installed in the building will monitor the usage of all devices in the building and then send the data to a central system. From the system&#;s interface, users can have a look at their power usage or take actions, such as automatically turning off unnecessary devices.
Additionally, some EMSes provide alerts or notifications when energy use exceeds certain thresholds and allow users to schedule energy-consuming activities for low-demand hours, such as overnight. However, there can be slight differences in features and capabilities based on the industry the EMS is designed for.
Let&#;s look at a manufacturing and industrial sector EMS. Many industrial facilities and factories consume a lot of energy often without usage being monitored or controlled, meaning they use more power than necessary. In the US, the industrial sector accounts for 35% of end-use energy consumption and 33% of total energy consumption.
However, considering the (recent) volatility of energy prices, the operating costs of many industrial companies have soared. This means they may struggle to pay their bills which would be a huge problem when any interruption in energy supply could force them to halt production altogether.
A manufacturing-specific EMS can show factory owners where the largest amounts of energy are being wasted and help them resolve those problems. But that&#;s just the beginning. Using an EMS platform, also allows factory owners to:
Better understand their energy flows and energy balance in the factory building.
Control energy expenditure by implementing energy conservation measures.
Quickly find out about any potential equipment failures, electrical faults, and capacity overloads through automated alerts.
Ensure that companies comply with industry requirements regarding energy usage and conservation.
EMS solutions are also increasingly being used by healthcare companies, since energy shortages, power cuts, and system failures can have dramatic consequences for patients. Thanks to EMSes, healthcare companies can lower the amount of energy used without compromising patient comfort or safety.
They can also be immediately alerted whenever there&#;s an abnormal energy usage in any of their equipment. As a result, healthcare buildings can operate more efficiently while reducing both their energy costs and risk to patients.
With skyrocketing energy costs, reducing energy consumption and monthly bills have become some of the biggest concerns for commerce businesses as well as factories, schools, and hospitals. Almost everything we do and use relies on electricity, thus impacting both our energy bills and our carbon footprints.
However, EMS platforms can help organizations manage their energy more efficiently and become &#;greener&#;, while also bringing significant reductions in energy costs. What other benefits of EMS platforms are there?
The reporting and analytical features inside EMSes can help property managers and business owners understand energy consumption patterns. Everything from when the most energy is needed to what processes or devices use the most power is visible on the main EMS dashboard, providing exactly the information needed to adjust energy usage.
EMS platforms can also help businesses identify and reduce their energy waste without negatively affecting core operations. An EMS can break down energy usage into separate processes, showing how much power each one requires and what the possible ways to reduce usage are.
One of the main reasons why businesses install energy management systems is to reduce their monthly bills. By using these solutions, most companies can easily save up to 10% on their energy bills.
The savings come from a few places. First, EMS sensors monitor all connected devices (lighting, heating and cooling, ventilation, etc.) 24/7 and can immediately send a warning whenever there is a suspicious change in energy usage patterns.
Second, many EMS platforms also have preventive maintenance features that can notify managers if a specific device or equipment might malfunction in the near future. Spending on maintenance costs now can prevent far more costly equipment failures in the future.
Finally, keeping unnecessary devices turned off when not in use (for example, switching off the lights and HVAC after employees have left) and reducing energy consumption during peak hours can also result in significant savings for building owners.
Increasing energy and utility bills can significantly strain budgets, especially for smaller companies. When they have high energy bills to pay, then they will need to cut other expenses such as marketing costs or device/machine upgrading.
Further, if business owners don&#;t know how much energy they currently use, they won&#;t be able to predict how much their next bill will be in order to ring-fence sufficient funds.
When using an EMS, on the other hand, businesses can reduce energy wastage and in turn, their operating costs. But that&#;s not all &#; generating energy usage predictions based on the EMS data, can help managers estimate how much they will have to pay for future bills and prepare their budgets in advance.
One of the more surprising potential benefits of an EMS platform is that it can actually give you a nice boost to your brand reputation. The majority of organizations in the world are now keen on reducing their carbon footprints &#; especially because that&#;s something their customers want to see.
By optimizing energy consumption and minimizing waste, companies can show their customers that they are serious about protecting the environment and are acting responsibly in this regard. This helps build better relationships with customers, partners, and potential investors.
Considering how volatile the energy market has become and the growing risks of energy shortages and potential power cuts on the horizon, it is essential to learn how to manage energy more effectively
Identifying and eliminating energy leaks, setting energy priorities for essential business processes, and learning how to manage their consumption better can help businesses minimize the impact of rising energy prices and power cuts.
As you can see, having an EMS in your building can not only reduce your energy bills, but can also make your business more resilient during a crisis. However, with so many energy management solutions available, how do you choose the best one? We&#;ve compiled four tips to help you select an EMS that matches your needs.
Before you start looking at the available energy management platform options, you should think carefully about why you want to implement an EMS system in the first place and what features you need the platform to have.
Do you want to collect and record energy measurement data on electricity consumption only, or would you also like to monitor water and gas usage?
Do you want the solution to be integrated with existing monitoring systems?
Are there any industry-specific features you need the EMS to have?
Do you want the solution to work as an IoT platform or rather like traditional, on-premises software?
When you choose a platform carefully, you increase the chances of it working seamlessly with your office devices and providing you with the data you need to curb your energy spending. On the other hand, picking the first EMS software available might end up being a costly investment with only a few minor benefits.
When comparing EMS platforms, check how often you&#;ll be getting updates on energy usage. While gathering usage data on a monthly or weekly basis might give you some idea of your overall consumption, it might be hard to spot any sudden spikes in energy usage or energy leaks in this manner.
If you were able to monitor your energy data 24/7 though, you would quickly notice any suspicious changes in the building&#;s energy consumption and performance.
Managers can also use real-time data and monitoring to identify and manage energy spikes throughout the day. Reviewing these usage trends and peaks at all times helps managers make informed decisions about how to reduce equipment energy consumption and when to schedule energy-consuming activities.
An energy management solution&#;s main role is to monitor your organization&#;s data usage and display the results on a dashboard. But modern applications can do far more than just that, so you shouldn&#;t focus solely on monitoring functions. It is worth checking and comparing the other features of EMS platforms, such as:
automatic alerts on sudden energy spikes or changes in performance
a mobile app for monitoring and managing the platform remotely
identifying new energy leaks and suggesting how to fix them
reducing energy usage during peak hours and scheduling more energy-intensive activities at times when energy prices are lower
custom reports
automated fault detection and preventive diagnostics
If you need any industry-specific features then you should also add those to your requirements list and search for an EMS with the relevant functionalities.
As you browse EMS platforms, keep in mind who will be using them. If you want your employees or tenants to use your EMS solution to control energy usage themselves, the application should be intuitive enough that they can easily find and understand their energy usage data and how to reduce consumption.
If the solution will be used by management or energy specialists, it&#;s better to look for a more complex system with more advanced features and more detailed analytical data that could be used later to improve energy efficiency of the building.
It has never been so important to reduce our energy consumption as it is today. According to long-term forecasts, gas and electricity prices will remain high in and only gradually start to drop in . As a result, we might soon face energy shortages or power cuts if we don&#;t curb our consumption and wastage.
Ever-increasing operational costs should also push companies to start saving energy. Prioritizing renewable energy sources is the way to go, but it will take a while for them to become viable alternatives to gas and coal. What can we do to find the right mix of energy usage and reduce our bills now?
Using an EMS platform that will help us utilize energy sources efficiently might be the solution to our growing energy consumption problems. According to research, EMS solutions can save businesses up to 50% on energy costs while also significantly reducing their carbon emissions.
If you&#;re looking for an EMS but need expert advice on which one would be suitable for you or how to implement it, Codibly has you covered. Depending on your needs, we can help you choose the right platform, implement it in your building, or build a custom energy management solution.
You can count on Codibly to find a solution that will fit your needs and solve your current problems with energy consumption.
Whether you are starting out in energy management or consider yourself an expert in the field, energy management is a constantly evolving and developing discipline. Its principles and practices have been employed by businesses across multiple industries to bring down energy costs and kWh consumption, optimize operations, reduce waste, and very importantly, cut GHG in response to climate regulations.
Technology has enabled energy management professionals and teams to plan, execute, and evaluate energy management strategies through machine-learning, big data, and energy analytics as well as monitoring and controlling technologies. A quick google search of energy management related technologies, will have your screen flooded with acronyms such as EMS, EMIS, ERP, BMS, EnMS, BAS and more.
What do these acronyms mean? Where do these fit in the energy management technology landscape? How do you know which technology or solution is right for your business?
If you are asking yourself these questions, read on. The following sets out to explain these terms and their applications, whie also addressing some of the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about energy management.
Energy management systems (EMS or EnMS) are commonly referred to computer-aided tools or software used to monitor, control, and optimize energy performance of domestic and commercial real estate; equipment; operations and manufacturing facilities in virtually any industry.
Energy management systems are often segmented on the basis of application, eg. utility energy management system (think SCADA), industrial energy management system, facility energy management system, building energy management system, residential energy management and so on.
While the functionality of each of these systems may vary, at its core, an energy management system is designed to assist energy professionals effectively manage and reduce the kWh and costs associated with their business and operations in an environmentally responsible and compliant manner.
It&#;s important to note that there is a distinct difference between energy management systems and energy management software&#;that being automated control of facility/building equipment, machinery and other systems such as HVAC, lighting and more&#;which is a feature commonly found in energy management systems. Energy management dashboards and platforms are data and analytical powerhouses that are key to:
While utility/industrial/facility energy management systems have the ability to monitor and automate control of building systems, they often lack the analytical capability to identify key energy savings opportunities.
Energy management software is the technology enabler providing data-driven insights through big data and analytics assisting facility managers, building energy managers, utilities, energy suppliers, energy service companies (ESCOs) and consultants to make informed decisions about energy and cost saving actions and strategies.
It brings together hardware, software, and data into one platform that allows energy management teams to remotely monitor, analyze energy, water, gas, and other business data from one central system.
The ability to analyze data through analytics, and develop actionable insights, is where the value lies. A good energy management software will have (but not limited to) the following tools, features or functionality:
Perhaps the most significant difference between energy management software and building management systems/automation systems is automated control of building equipment such as heat pumps, lighting, HVAC as well as other electrical and mechanical equipment&#;a key feature of BMS/BAS systems. BMS systems can remotely turn ON/OFF, change settings of equipment meaning that they can send controlling signals to equipment. Energy management software does not include these controlling features.
While energy management software has the ability to be integrated with BMS/BAS systems, it is largely geared toward delivering the analysis tools to dig deeper into energy patterns, incorporate historical data to identify trends, compare data across different periods, evaluate areas of operational waste/savings, measure and verify saving actions&#;which are not part of the capabilities of BAS/BMS systems. BAS/BMS systems simply don&#;t have the analytical muscle to conduct in-depth insight needed for long-term energy efficiency improvements.
The first step to saving energy in a building or site is to perform a site survey to gain a better understanding of your:
It is critically important to establish the project environment, requirements, goals and objectives, before integrating software and analytics to accurately monitor and evaluate the impact of energy saving projects and actions.
Energy management software is really the key ingredient when starting the process towards achieving the ISO standard. Without the advanced analytical capability that is at the core of energy management software, performing the calculations and generating the insights needed for reporting & compliance become near impossible.
Through advanced analytics software and tools, found in energy management software platforms and dashboards, users are able to:
Energy management software can be segmented according to deployment &#;
Cloud-based energy management software is hosted and maintained by the service provider eg. EnergyCAP energy and sustainability software is hosted on AWS and the platform/user interface is accessed by users through a web browser. On-premise energy management software on the other hand, is installed locally in a premises&#; servers and computers and can work without the internet connection.
Cloud-based and on-premise energy management software can also differ on the basis of pricing, security, customization, maintenance, lifecycle.
Pricing &#; On premise energy management software traditionally has a once off cost/licensed to buyers, whereas cloud based energy management software works on a subscription basis, whereby users pay a monthly subscription for the use of the software. Furthermore, on-premise solutions often incur additional costs, in set-up and installation and where additional hardware may be required. Conversely, cloud-based solutions can be set up and accessed by users in a matter of minutes&#;no upfront costs or installation teams required. In order to deploy a system with advanced analytics capabilities like Wattics, you&#;d need servers and IT environment costing ~$10 000&#;50 000 depending on the size of the project.
Security &#; Security is an important consideration when considering a software solution that house sensitive data. It is crucial to ensure that when comparing solutions, that vendor security policies and procedures be taken into account? Do they comply with GDPR? Providers of cloud-based energy management software is taken care of by the vendor, while security of on-premise energy management software falls on the users themselves. Companies opting for on-premise solutions should consider whether they have the in-house expertise to maintain the highest security standards to avoid breaches. With Wattics&#; integration method, the energy management platform does not intervene with the local network which prevents creating a weak chain and network therefore, stays closed and secure.
Customization &#; While on premise software solutions excel in customization, highly customized solutions come with the risk of being difficult to scale, update and maintain. While cloud-based solutions don&#;t offer much opportunity for customization, vendors offering these solutions are constantly working to develop new tools and features to meet customers requirements as their energy management needs evolve. New tools and features are made readily available to use and are updated by the service provider without user action required.
Maintenance &#; Maintenance is also a key consideration &#; cloud-based solution providers are responsible for the consistent maintenance, security and software updates of their software platform, while these responsibilities are those of the users when employing a on-premise energy management software. Extra support, time and costs may be incurred if the in house skills are lacking to oversee maintenance activities.
Cloud-based energy management software solutionenergy management software solutions will continue to grow over next years as these technologies continue to help energy professionals saving energy and adhere to energy conservation and efficiency mandates as well as support bottom-line profits.
If you are starting a new energy management project, looking for an energy management software to manage energy and certification projects, and/or looking to reduce kWh consumption, costs and improve overall efficiency in your company or organization, EnergyCAP Smart Analytics has you covered!
To learn more about how EnergyCAP Smart Analytics can help your business or help you manage energy projects on behalf of your customers, send us a request using the contact form below &#; and let&#;s start the conversation!
Articles
For example, from April to April , crude oil prices increased by 350% &#; that&#;s the largest increase for any two-year period since the s. Even more worrying is that experts don&#;t expect the situation to improve any time soon.
Energy prices have spiked to levels we haven&#;t seen in decades. Between January and April , the World Bank&#;s energy price index increased by 26%, following a 50% increase between January and December . Non-renewable energy resources like coal, oil, and natural gas have risen sharply in price as a result.
Even though renewable sources of energy like wind turbines and solar panels are slowly gaining popularity, it will take time for them to become as widely adopted as gas and oil. That makes searching for ways in which companies can limit their energy usage and reduce their bills a pressing matter.
One method of doing just that is by using an energy management system (EMS). They allow businesses to take control of their energy consumption and find how to reduce the amount of electricity they use. Even better, an EMS platform can also help businesses reduce their carbon footprints and boost their brand reputation.
But what is an EMS, and how do they work? Read on to find out.
An energy management system is a set of tools through which companies can understand and manage their energy use by controlling all their electric utilities and electricity-consuming devices. Additionally, it can help companies find where they use the most energy and suggest how to reduce usage in those places.
How does it work? A typical EMS platform consists of four elements:
Sensors that continuously measure energy usage and send the data to the EMS platform.
EMS interface through which users can monitor and manage their energy usage.
A control system that transmits commands from the EMS user interface.
Devices controlled by the EMS system, such as air conditioning units, fans, and lights.
Thanks to giving business owners sufficient information about their energy flows and consumption levels of their devices, EMS systems can help with decisions about energy activities and how to lower consumption without hurting productivity or efficiency.
For example, an EMS system could notify a manager that a piece of electric equipment in the office is malfunctioning and using far more energy than it should. Replacing such devices with newer and more energy efficient ones (e.g. efficient lighting systems) can reduce consumption levels and, consequently, save business owners money.
Additionally, business owners can use an EMS application to:
Define their energy goals and KPIs, as well as track their energy-saving progress (including reductions in energy costs).
Track both historical and real-time data on power flow and usage.
Spot trends in energy consumption and predict peak hours/monthly consumption accordingly.
Collect and combine energy data from multiple sources (spreadsheets, automation systems, invoices, metering systems, IoT devices, etc.)
Generate detailed reports on energy consumption, emissions, usage predictions, and savings.
All of the above features can help organizations gain more insights into how they use electricity in their building and where they could optimize energy usage in order to save money.
But there&#;s one more where an EMS can help &#; reducing pollution and waste that is directly linked to energy usage, lowering the carbon footprint, and boosting brand image. As customers are becoming more aware of climate issues, they are now far more likely to support environmentally friendly companies.
For example, sustainability is rated as an important purchase criterion for 60% of customers. In addition, according to a Statista survey from , 45% of surveyed consumers stated that they were interested in finding brands that were sustainable or environmentally responsible.
Investing in energy-related improvements, improving efficiency, and reducing your organization&#;s carbon footprint therefore won&#;t just bring environmental benefits, but can actually give you a competitive edge.
Energy management systems can be used anywhere &#; from office buildings, restaurant sites, hospitals, hotels, and schools to factories and even regular houses. For the electric vehicle industry, energy management systems and methods of energy storage are essential as well.
The main features are actually pretty similar regardless of type. Energy management solutions help building managers, employees, or tenants control all electronic pieces of equipment in their building &#; like heating, air conditioning, lighting systems, or any other devices connected to the electricity grid.
Smart meters installed in the building will monitor the usage of all devices in the building and then send the data to a central system. From the system&#;s interface, users can have a look at their power usage or take actions, such as automatically turning off unnecessary devices.
Additionally, some EMSes provide alerts or notifications when energy use exceeds certain thresholds and allow users to schedule energy-consuming activities for low-demand hours, such as overnight. However, there can be slight differences in features and capabilities based on the industry the EMS is designed for.
Let&#;s look at a manufacturing and industrial sector EMS. Many industrial facilities and factories consume a lot of energy often without usage being monitored or controlled, meaning they use more power than necessary. In the US, the industrial sector accounts for 35% of end-use energy consumption and 33% of total energy consumption.
However, considering the (recent) volatility of energy prices, the operating costs of many industrial companies have soared. This means they may struggle to pay their bills which would be a huge problem when any interruption in energy supply could force them to halt production altogether.
A manufacturing-specific EMS can show factory owners where the largest amounts of energy are being wasted and help them resolve those problems. But that&#;s just the beginning. Using an EMS platform, also allows factory owners to:
Better understand their energy flows and energy balance in the factory building.
Control energy expenditure by implementing energy conservation measures.
Quickly find out about any potential equipment failures, electrical faults, and capacity overloads through automated alerts.
Ensure that companies comply with industry requirements regarding energy usage and conservation.
EMS solutions are also increasingly being used by healthcare companies, since energy shortages, power cuts, and system failures can have dramatic consequences for patients. Thanks to EMSes, healthcare companies can lower the amount of energy used without compromising patient comfort or safety.
They can also be immediately alerted whenever there&#;s an abnormal energy usage in any of their equipment. As a result, healthcare buildings can operate more efficiently while reducing both their energy costs and risk to patients.
With skyrocketing energy costs, reducing energy consumption and monthly bills have become some of the biggest concerns for commerce businesses as well as factories, schools, and hospitals. Almost everything we do and use relies on electricity, thus impacting both our energy bills and our carbon footprints.
However, EMS platforms can help organizations manage their energy more efficiently and become &#;greener&#;, while also bringing significant reductions in energy costs. What other benefits of EMS platforms are there?
The reporting and analytical features inside EMSes can help property managers and business owners understand energy consumption patterns. Everything from when the most energy is needed to what processes or devices use the most power is visible on the main EMS dashboard, providing exactly the information needed to adjust energy usage.
EMS platforms can also help businesses identify and reduce their energy waste without negatively affecting core operations. An EMS can break down energy usage into separate processes, showing how much power each one requires and what the possible ways to reduce usage are.
One of the main reasons why businesses install energy management systems is to reduce their monthly bills. By using these solutions, most companies can easily save up to 10% on their energy bills.
The savings come from a few places. First, EMS sensors monitor all connected devices (lighting, heating and cooling, ventilation, etc.) 24/7 and can immediately send a warning whenever there is a suspicious change in energy usage patterns.
Second, many EMS platforms also have preventive maintenance features that can notify managers if a specific device or equipment might malfunction in the near future. Spending on maintenance costs now can prevent far more costly equipment failures in the future.
Finally, keeping unnecessary devices turned off when not in use (for example, switching off the lights and HVAC after employees have left) and reducing energy consumption during peak hours can also result in significant savings for building owners.
Increasing energy and utility bills can significantly strain budgets, especially for smaller companies. When they have high energy bills to pay, then they will need to cut other expenses such as marketing costs or device/machine upgrading.
Further, if business owners don&#;t know how much energy they currently use, they won&#;t be able to predict how much their next bill will be in order to ring-fence sufficient funds.
When using an EMS, on the other hand, businesses can reduce energy wastage and in turn, their operating costs. But that&#;s not all &#; generating energy usage predictions based on the EMS data, can help managers estimate how much they will have to pay for future bills and prepare their budgets in advance.
One of the more surprising potential benefits of an EMS platform is that it can actually give you a nice boost to your brand reputation. The majority of organizations in the world are now keen on reducing their carbon footprints &#; especially because that&#;s something their customers want to see.
By optimizing energy consumption and minimizing waste, companies can show their customers that they are serious about protecting the environment and are acting responsibly in this regard. This helps build better relationships with customers, partners, and potential investors.
Considering how volatile the energy market has become and the growing risks of energy shortages and potential power cuts on the horizon, it is essential to learn how to manage energy more effectively
Identifying and eliminating energy leaks, setting energy priorities for essential business processes, and learning how to manage their consumption better can help businesses minimize the impact of rising energy prices and power cuts.
As you can see, having an EMS in your building can not only reduce your energy bills, but can also make your business more resilient during a crisis. However, with so many energy management solutions available, how do you choose the best one? We&#;ve compiled four tips to help you select an EMS that matches your needs.
Before you start looking at the available energy management platform options, you should think carefully about why you want to implement an EMS system in the first place and what features you need the platform to have.
Do you want to collect and record energy measurement data on electricity consumption only, or would you also like to monitor water and gas usage?
Do you want the solution to be integrated with existing monitoring systems?
Are there any industry-specific features you need the EMS to have?
Do you want the solution to work as an IoT platform or rather like traditional, on-premises software?
When you choose a platform carefully, you increase the chances of it working seamlessly with your office devices and providing you with the data you need to curb your energy spending. On the other hand, picking the first EMS software available might end up being a costly investment with only a few minor benefits.
When comparing EMS platforms, check how often you&#;ll be getting updates on energy usage. While gathering usage data on a monthly or weekly basis might give you some idea of your overall consumption, it might be hard to spot any sudden spikes in energy usage or energy leaks in this manner.
If you were able to monitor your energy data 24/7 though, you would quickly notice any suspicious changes in the building&#;s energy consumption and performance.
Managers can also use real-time data and monitoring to identify and manage energy spikes throughout the day. Reviewing these usage trends and peaks at all times helps managers make informed decisions about how to reduce equipment energy consumption and when to schedule energy-consuming activities.
An energy management solution&#;s main role is to monitor your organization&#;s data usage and display the results on a dashboard. But modern applications can do far more than just that, so you shouldn&#;t focus solely on monitoring functions. It is worth checking and comparing the other features of EMS platforms, such as:
automatic alerts on sudden energy spikes or changes in performance
a mobile app for monitoring and managing the platform remotely
identifying new energy leaks and suggesting how to fix them
reducing energy usage during peak hours and scheduling more energy-intensive activities at times when energy prices are lower
custom reports
automated fault detection and preventive diagnostics
If you need any industry-specific features then you should also add those to your requirements list and search for an EMS with the relevant functionalities.
As you browse EMS platforms, keep in mind who will be using them. If you want your employees or tenants to use your EMS solution to control energy usage themselves, the application should be intuitive enough that they can easily find and understand their energy usage data and how to reduce consumption.
If the solution will be used by management or energy specialists, it&#;s better to look for a more complex system with more advanced features and more detailed analytical data that could be used later to improve energy efficiency of the building.
It has never been so important to reduce our energy consumption as it is today. According to long-term forecasts, gas and electricity prices will remain high in and only gradually start to drop in . As a result, we might soon face energy shortages or power cuts if we don&#;t curb our consumption and wastage.
Ever-increasing operational costs should also push companies to start saving energy. Prioritizing renewable energy sources is the way to go, but it will take a while for them to become viable alternatives to gas and coal. What can we do to find the right mix of energy usage and reduce our bills now?
Using an EMS platform that will help us utilize energy sources efficiently might be the solution to our growing energy consumption problems. According to research, EMS solutions can save businesses up to 50% on energy costs while also significantly reducing their carbon emissions.
If you&#;re looking for an EMS but need expert advice on which one would be suitable for you or how to implement it, Codibly has you covered. Depending on your needs, we can help you choose the right platform, implement it in your building, or build a custom energy management solution.
You can count on Codibly to find a solution that will fit your needs and solve your current problems with energy consumption.