Electrical Energy. Seldom seen, but a major overhead burden for any commercial enterprise. But how do we tame this savage beast? Cost effective energy is the key to any operation’s bottom line. One of the reasons that America dominated manufacturing for so many years was that we enjoyed an abundance of relatively cheap energy rates compared to our European competitors. In this era, it is necessary to manage our electrical consumption to hold down costs as electrical charges spiral upwards. How? Through monitoring and management!
Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings
About 42% of the world’s energy production is consumed by buildings. Energy and water conservation are the hallmarks of government programs funded with this goal in mind. We must consider that the trend to be more energy consumption marches in step with rising electrical charges. Building design coupled with highly efficient environmental and lighting systems will aid in lowering energy costs.
Building Management System
Every building shares some fundamental equipment that is responsible for most of the power consumed. Appliances, environmental systems, elevators, electronics, security systems and laundry equipment. BMS or Building Management Systems controlling environmental systems that provide for heating and cooling and ventilation. The BMS are effective in allowing management of power consumption by these systems. Monitoring various power systems that help build power consumption reports for additional power management and planning is a smart idea.
Advantages of Monitoring Energy Usage
With the search on for energy wasters in your building using a BMS and integrated monitoring system to drastically reduce energy consumption, lowing operating expenses. Another benefit of monitoring is identifying surges or other signs of failing equipment, which can be costly. One adage is that “you can’t manage what you can’t measure” holds true with energy management. A good management system with monitoring can identify areas that could cut wasted energy consumption. Variable speed pump and fans can reduce power consumption from 25-85% over constant speed fans. Reducing overnight temperature can save up to 1% of your environmental control budget for each ½ degree centigrade. Over a year 2-5 degrees could reduce your power usages for these systems by up to 10%, greener and saving costs. Occupancy monitors would keep things shut down unless there was a need by persons needing to work outside of normal operating hours.
Monitor Primary & Back Up Power Systems
Backup systems need monitoring as well as the primary systems. A standby generator is no good unless it generates electrical power. There are many documented situations where a hospital standby generator failed due to substandard maintenance and system monitoring. System monitoring can fire and test these backups to prevent power outages, spikes and unscheduled shutdown of equipment and facilities. Monitoring is there recording power usage and looking for the anomalies. Expensive, perhaps but rip and replace is usually not necessary. The equipment can be added over time, and only to critical systems initially. Incorporation of monitoring and management modules can be installed, leading to more effective control over the power consumption.
Power & Energy Management & More in Arvada, Aurora, Black Hawk, Boulder, Broomfield, Centennial, Central City, Cherry Creek, Cherry Hills, Commerce City, Englewood, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Lafayette, Littleton, Parker, Thornton, Westminster, Wheat Ridge & Greater Denver, CO | Jefferson & Gilpin County, Colorado
To measure you need meters. Two kinds are available and are best if worked hand in hand. Power consumption meters measure how much power is used. Power quality meters measure the anomalies affecting the quality of power in the building. Dips, harmonics and transients effect all electrical systems, with digital and other electronics being more susceptible to ‘dirty’ power. The problem may not exist with the power delivered to the site but usually rests with internal power delivery equipment. You can call Advanced Electric Solutions Corp for energy cost reductions today!
