British telecom giant Vodafone has launched an energy data management (EDM) solution that it says will help companies reduce the amount of energy they consume and save money by tracking usage in near real time and assessing how lighting and heating contribute to usage patterns.
The technology, which installs smart meters and green boxes that function as data loggers on site, can also show companies how external factors such as humidity and other weather factors impact usage patterns. Vodafone says it can give a more up-to-date snapshot of energy usage than a utility bill and that its equipment will send data over a secure, wireless machine-to-machine network to its online portal.
With this information, it says companies can change behavior, educate staff on conserving energy and upgrade equipment if needed – it reports that some of its clients have a 40 percent reduction in their energy bills. Vodafone highlights how utility bills are often inaccurate estimates and with its data, companies can challenge incorrect estimates and negotiate better tariffs. The EDM system can drive sustainable use of energy over the long-term and help companies meet government regulations for emissions, using a four step process.
It begins with an audit, based on the data it collects, where companies buy energy from, how it’s monitored and negotiated. It also conducts site visits and pinpoints the best spots for its smart meters. It puts together a pilot with a few meters and green boxes to demonstrate how EDM works. The next step is to scale up and do a wider roll-out of its equipment. Then it works on helping clients control energy usage and optimizing it.
Aside from companies, other organizations with large facilities are also working on collecting their energy data and finding ways to lower their consumption patterns. In October, the University of Vermont deployed EnerNOC’s EfficiencySmart Insight application at five large campus facilities with the help of the local electric utility provider, Burlington Electric Department. EfficiencySmart Insight collects energy data from each building, applies EnerNOC’s diagnostic tools to analyze the data, and, with the help of an EnerNOC energy analyst, delivers a prioritized list of energy efficiency measures.
Image credit: Vodafone Group Plc