What is Energy Monitoring? A Guide for Businesses

Tools and platforms can help you manage your business and streamline your processes. For example, a project management tool, an HR platform, or payroll processing software.

Another tool you should consider to help you become more efficient? An energy monitoring system.

In this article we’ll explain what an energy monitoring system is, the benefits of using one, and how to choose the right platform for your business.

What is an Energy Monitoring System?

An energy monitoring system (EMS) is a tool that allows you to monitor the gas or electricity your business consumes. 

You can review the data online in easy-to-view formats like graphs and charts and use it to make changes to how your business operates.

How Does an Energy Monitoring System Work?

You place sensors where you want to monitor your energy use. For example, on specific appliances and equipment you would like to track, as well as the main power supply for a building.

You can also track distributed energy resources (DERs) – technologies that generate, store, and dispatch energy, like solar panels and EV charge points.

The data from the sensors and DERs is collected, analysed, and uploaded to the EMS in an easy-to-read format.

What Kind of Data Can You Gather from an Energy Monitoring System?

Energy monitoring systems are highly customisable, meaning you can view the information that’s most important to you.

Here are just some of the different types of data you can view:

• Power consumption, broken down by time period or individual unit

• Energy expenditure 

• Cost per unit of energy 

• Carbon emissions and carbon footprint

Some energy monitoring system providers (like Tritility) will proactively monitor your usage and make expert recommendations, helping you make the most out of your data. 

Can all Businesses use an Energy Monitoring System?

Absolutely. The great thing about an EMS is that it can be as simple or complex as you want.

At Tritility, we’ve helped set up energy monitoring systems for small office spaces, large manufacturing plants, and everything in between.

A good EMS grows with you. So if your building gets bigger or your workforce increases, you just add more sensors.

What are the Benefits of Using an Energy Monitoring System?

An energy monitoring system is a worthwhile addition to the suite of tools your business uses. Some of the advantages include:

• It helps you save money. By identifying where you use the most energy, you can take action to reduce your usage and lower your energy bills‍

• It makes you more sustainable. An EMS system provides insight into how you use energy as a business, which you can use to reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact‍

• It helps you identify trends and potential issues. Energy monitoring enables you to stay two steps ahead. For example if your energy use suddenly spikes, it could be a sign that your equipment needs fixing or replacing ‍

• It helps you stay compliant. Monitoring your energy use makes it easier to report on your carbon emissions, as well as achieve accreditations like ISO 14001 and Future Net Zero‍

• It helps you win business. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is extremely important to many companies. Showing that you’re taking action to be more environmentally friendly can help you win tenders and impress prospective clients

What Should You Look Out For in a Good Energy Monitoring System?

We’ve already seen that the best energy monitoring systems are scalable. But what else should you look out for if you want to install an EMS? Here’s what to bear in mind:

• Is it cloud-based? A cloud-based system means you can access your data anywhere at any timE

‍• Is it easy to use? An EMS system handles a lot of complicated data, so you need the user end of the platform to be as intuitive as possible. Some providers offer training so you can take advantage of every feature‍

• Does it scale with your business? Think about your needs not just now but in the future. Will your system grow with you?

‍• How often does it update? To keep up to date with your energy use, you want your EMS system to update as close to real-time as possible. One of the key benefits of our energy monitoring system is that we use data from your half hourly meter. This means you always have the most accurate, up-to-date information to make data-driven decisions.

‍• What other features does it have? Think about the additional functionality your EMS platform offers. For example, some systems send alerts when energy use spikes or drops below a pre-defined level

Take Control of Your Energy With Tritility

Our Energy Metrics system lets you manage your energy use down to the granular level. And best of all, you get it free of charge when you procure your gas or electricity with us.

Our Energy Metrics system helped Swire Energy Service save £300,000 in its first year. This is because they could easily identify equipment operating outside of working hours that was wasting money.

Want to know more about how Energy Metrics works? Get in touch today to book your free demo.