Connecting building systems to a cloud-based data stream creates a centralized utility-management dashboard for the building that is instantly accessible to operating teams. Depending on the building and desires of the owner, the technology can track a handful to 100 components—or nodes—in a building, all compiled into user-friendly apps and reports that transform meter data into actionable insights. This strategy is most effective when coupled with the building’s CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) or work-order management systems, so building staff can be effectively notified when the monitoring sensors identify an event that can be corrected.
Among other features, the software identifies opportunities to optimize energy use for cost savings. It can also automate tenant energy-billing processes to reduce overhead and errors and provide all meter data in one unified platform, removing the need to manually read each meter.
Overall, real-time energy monitoring enables dynamic building management, helping owners understand how to maximize energy efficiency and cost savings—from the electrical circuit level to the portfolio level.
Case Study
At the beginning of 2015, a major athletic apparel manufacturer implemented numerous disruptive technologies to better operate its facilities. These included on-demand ventilation, integrated work-order management and energy monitoring. The tech-forward, fast-growing sports retailer was committed to establishing a corporate culture driven by sustainability and leveraging leading-edge technology to achieve energy transparency. Although the company’s six-building campus was already using an open-source energy-data collection system, it wasn’t providing the company clear, actionable data it was seeking. And with electricity expenses exceeding $1 million each year, that information could make a massive difference.
Only 20 days after the initial meeting and discussions with the company, the energy-management solutions provider was onsite to connect the existing meters throughout the campus with its technology to wirelessly send energy data to the provider’s software platform, only adding a few additional pieces of hardware. The client had real-time energy data within an hour.
At the start, the athletic apparel manufacturer only wanted 10 points of data; however, after seeing initial results, the company had the energy-management solutions provider deploy more than 100 points to drill into granular data of different rooms and equipment around the expansive campus.
Once fully deployed, all the manufacturer’s energy data is now visible on a high-level, centralized executive dashboard, complete with an easy-to-navigate interface that allows users to view minute- by-minute data. This provides complete energy-transparency communications and global decision-making, which, for this athletic company, was key. As the facility manager for this client’s assets, our team at Pristine Environments uses the energy-management solutions provider to make real-time energy decisions based on precise information.