Small businesses often aren’t aware of the benefits of Business Energy Management Systems (BEMS). But that should change. With the advent of IoT and energy management platforms, it is now possible to manage your business’s energy consumption from any location. If your company is interested in EMSs, here are four reasons why you should consider them. Read on to learn more. The benefits of Business Energy Management Systems (BEMS) from a provider like Business Energy UK are numerous.
IoT-based Energy Management Platforms
IoT-based business energy management platforms can help organizations lower their costs while increasing their efficiency. Using data collected by IoT sensors can identify outlier trends in the energy use of major systems. This data can indicate faulty or failing equipment, allowing organizations to take immediate actions to rectify the problem. These systems can also help organizations identify targeted areas for retrofits, such as lighting systems or thermostats.
IoT-based business energy management platforms offer many advantages, including increased security and reduced power consumption. By utilizing a platform that enables the integration of connected devices, energy management platforms can also help businesses implement a broader IoT strategy. The platforms can help manage all aspects of energy use and even improve security and warehouse management. By leveraging the power of the Internet, businesses can reduce their bills by up to 70%.
The IoT is a powerful tool for process automation. By integrating IoT-based business energy management platforms, companies can achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and security. For example, smart utility meters help supply chain parties manage their spending and reduce waste. Furthermore, real-time monitoring and analysis allow companies to identify ways to increase their efficiency and reduce costs. This is a win-win situation for both the business and the environment.
IoT-based systems enable companies to track their energy consumption with minimal investment. By integrating a variety of sources, these solutions are capable of analyzing data in real-time. Some of the available solutions focus on data visualization and notifications while others use the data as a starting point for building energy management. Some of these systems can also provide energy analyses and visualizations to help users reduce their energy usage. They are a great addition to your energy management strategy.
An IoT-based system integrates building data, weather, and energy prices into one holistic platform. Its intelligent software then produces daily and weekly action plans for energy end-users. The information obtained is actionable and provides tips and recommendations on how to use energy more efficiently. These systems can save your business money while improving its overall performance. These systems are a natural evolution of energy management. If you’re looking to reduce your energy bills, then an IoT-based business energy management platform is the right choice.
Small Businesses Don’t Use BEMS
Why don’t small businesses use business energy management systems? The answer lies in the many variables that impact how much energy a business uses, such as HVAC systems and lighting. By integrating EMS into your operations, you can secure temperature and lighting controls in all zones. This allows you to save money while complying with new laws. In addition to saving money, these systems also benefit the environment. Ultimately, they demonstrate your commitment to the environment.
Energy management systems eliminate the need for local site managers to understand complex energy usage data, as well as provide real-time updates and reports. This lets you test out different energy-use strategies before committing to them. One nationwide restaurant chain, for example, adopted an energy-management system for all units. It found that its electricity and gas costs decreased from $4.1 million per year to $3.3 million per year after the switch.
Another benefit to EMS is that you don’t have to install new servers onsite. You can access reports and analyze data remotely. A recent Accenture study found that 35 percent of SMBs would switch energy providers if they were able to save money with a new EMS. This is a huge opportunity that will grow over the next few years. So, how do you convince small businesses to use an EMS? Consider these three key reasons.
One example is the ENERGY STAR(r) Portfolio Manager. It is a free, industry-leading benchmarking tool. Currently, over 40 percent of U.S. commercial buildings are benchmarked with the system. It tracks energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. To use the program, you must submit energy bills and building information. This way, you can get an idea of how you compare to similar businesses in your industry.
Cost Savings of EMSs
In addition to controlling HVAC equipment, an EMS also enables control of ventilation fans. By adjusting damper conditions, an EMS can help businesses avoid costly charges associated with peak demand periods. Some utilities will even offer incentives for demand response programs. EMS owners should optimize the system’s operation to maximize energy savings. Listed below are the most common ways to reduce the costs of running a business. Read on to learn more.
Energy-management systems can also control the lighting and HVAC performance. Among the many benefits of energy management, 60% of workers are dissatisfied with the temperature and lighting in their workplaces. Moreover, these systems improve employee satisfaction. Ultimately, they reduce carbon footprints and improve employee satisfaction. And, since energy-efficient buildings reduce energy bills, they can also help the business’s bottom line. In addition to cost savings, EMSs also reduce the carbon footprint.
To ensure that EMSs are effective, businesses should develop standardized operating procedures and train staff on how to use them. They must follow the same setpoints and sequences of operation. EMSs require a reliable communication network and adequate bandwidth to function properly. After installation, the system should be serviced periodically to ensure that desired energy savings continue. The service contract should also be comprehensive and long-term. If the system is not used regularly, it will eventually fail.
The cost of implementing EMSs varies by location. Some EMSs can be installed on remote sites. If the EMS is designed well, it can support a microgrid while providing minimum reliability costs and outages. A good EMS should also have the ability to control and monitor the energy consumption in an area with high renewable energy production costs. In some cases, the EMS will even support a microgrid that can operate independently.
The cost of an EMS depends on its complexity and objective functions. If you are looking for a standardized solution that is affordable, open-source EMSs are an excellent option. However, open-source EMSs may have some security or cyber-security issues. This is especially true if you want to use it in a remote community. As a result, remote communities typically do not want to be involved in O&M.
Applications of EMSs
In the past, business energy management systems (EMS) were typically delivered with proprietary hardware and operating systems. These systems were often developed by Harris Controls, Hitachi, and Cebyc, which are now part of GE and Toshiba. More recently, various suppliers have begun offering solutions based on Windows. Some suppliers still offer UNIX-based solutions, though. Some of them have also begun integrating them with IBM and Sun Solaris.
Another benefit of energy management systems is the ability to identify where your assets are wasting energy. In a building, a cracked wall, a dirty air filter, and underperforming assets can all be contributing factors to energy waste. By tracking actual energy use, and EMS can identify the areas of the building that need attention. Energy providers can provide you with specific usage data that can indicate where you need to perform maintenance. The system can even detect the causes of a malfunctioning timer or thermostat.
Another benefit of energy management software is its ability to gather data from multiple buildings and compare it, allowing building owners and executives to compare the results. This saves time and energy over manual reporting. Furthermore, energy management software can account for external factors that influence energy use, such as weather and climate, and balance energy savings against capital expenditures. These features are a few of the benefits of a business energy management system. So what are you waiting for? Get one today!
The applications of business energy management systems are wide and varied. Building energy management systems (BEMS) control multiple factors inside a building including HVAC, domestic hot water, and elevators. A BEMS can control the ventilation system as well. The system is also capable of detecting unoccupied zones and turning them off. These features can significantly reduce the cost of energy management. Even elevators and other vertical transportations can be controlled with an EMS.
Another application of a business EMS is in remote communities. The EMS is often paired with DERs, which are sources of electricity. In remote regions, isolated microgrids can be incorporated into a microgrid. Such a system can provide remote community economics and the power grid for isolated communities. In remote communities, EMSs can be small and cost-effective. They are also highly flexible and accessible.