global associates provides DIY retailer with tools to cut energy costs
A major DIY retailer is now realising significant energy savings across multiple sites thanks to the introduction of a new EMS platform from global associates.
Without clear visibility of granular data, the retail client was struggling to optimise energy use at major sites in Cannock and Bradford. With this in mind, global associates was asked to provide a solution that would identify the specific areas or utilities that were using the most energy and display real-time figures in a clear and accessible fashion.
It can be challenging to reduce energy when attempting to pinpoint through a single MPAN feed to a building. Breaking down the single feed into specific power, lighting and HVAC distribution streams opens up visibility, showing what is being used and, more specifically, where it is being used.
Following multiple site visits involving assessments of the LV switchrooms, global built a sub-meter panel and used a Tridium JACE controller as a hardware platform for connecting metering devices. Once the meters were installed and connected throughout each facility, global was able to create real-time dashboards with comparison charts, time stamps and heat maps displaying active energy use over time – all of which combined to give the client actionable insight into where energy was being used.
Energy usage was then benchmarked against other sites to compare overall performance. Once standard energy use parameters had been established, alerts were set up to automatically generate an email if usage surged beyond 5-10% of normal rates.
Completed in just three weeks and coordinated with the maintenance team and Head of Sustainability, most of the installation work took place out of normal working hours so that any disruption to the business was kept to an absolute minimum.
Increasing energy prices and a move towards more sustainable business practices is now driving demand for additional metering and improved monitoring through an EMS platform. Now fully functional, the leading DIY retailer’s EMS is delivering on its promise of enhanced visibility, enabling it to identify and address particularly energy-intensive areas of the business such as warehouse lighting.
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