How Data Makes Energy Management Systems More Robust

When it comes to energy management, most politicians, business people and the media focus on energy security. However, energy management systems are becoming more important as industries and decision makers realize their valuable benefits.

Intelligent Energy Grids

Siemens is one of the worlds largest technology and engineering companies. A recent report reveals that Hurricane Sandy caused a loss of power to over eight million households. Some households had to wait weeks for power to be restored and the 140 damaged lines and transformers to be fixed. Climate change is also presenting power companies with new challenges. For example, power plants in the notorious dry Southwest must often reduce power generation because of limited water resources. Even more alarming, California is experiencing their worst drought in history. Thus, natural disasters and extreme weather patterns are a regular headache for power companies.

However, companies are now utilizing cutting-edge energy management system (EMS) to help them combat unpredictable weather and disasters. For example, innovative energy management systems can provide more accurate results and real-time grid data during outages. As a result, power and crisis management efficiency increases. This means that grids will be mutually controlled by two power centers. During a major storm, if one grid shuts down, the other one automatically maintains operations by itself. These grid management systems are integrated platforms that synthesize fundamental programs together, such as energy and distribution management systems.

Automatic Energy Efficiency

Smaller companies with many offices spread throughout the region will lack the financial resources for employee training and development. Fortunately, there are cloud-based energy management systems that allow business owners to achieve optimal energy efficiency level through automated process optimizations. This means that business owners will be able to monitor and remotely control HVAC and other equipment with high energy consumption levels. In fact, central monitoring will provide real-time updates on gas, water and electricity usage.

These systems work best for small companies because they can achieve maximum savings with minimal staff involvement and financial investments. Versatile energy management systems offer formidable functionality without the high costs or process complexity. Equally important, these systems will provide the business owner with alerts and reports that deliver information that is critical to smooth operations. For example, business owners will receive advanced warning of major problems or forecasted downtime. Finally, these systems will result in better savings, energy efficiency and equipment performance.

Positive Government Intervention

The Department of Energys Better Buildings program launched their Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) program in 2012. In fact, the EMIS program offers free resources, information and consultations to companies to help them incorporate and implement energy management systems into their business model. Available tools and technologies include diagnostic systems, utility tracking programs, energy information systems and building automation systems.

For example, so-called smart buildings actually have computer systems that are custom programmed to automatically control and monitor facilities that use a high demand for heating, lighting and ventilation. These programs may be a simple program that controls a single buildings HVAC system. Otherwise, they may be a complex administrative software program which allows the facility manager to oversee all energy functions in a group of buildings. Most of these energy management systems provide real-time utility usage data, such as digital gas, water and electricity meters. In fact, the data from these programs can be used for creating customized performance reports. Even better, the data can be used to set the parameters for automatic self-check and optimization routines.

In sum, energy management systems are becoming more robust, functional and intelligent. As a result, businesses and the public will benefit from increased efficiency and decreased downtimes.